Steak Bet 3.0 - And the winner is ...

It’s been said that even a broken watch is right twice a day.

That in mind, I am proud to announce that on the third try, I finally have won Steak Bet, Version 3.0.

For each of the last two seasons, longtime co-worker and semi-noted, Gurnee, Ill.-based blog castigator Chris Altruda and I have put a friendly wager on the NHL season. Looking to avoid a third consecutive loss, we put together five categories, with me winning (finally).

Here’s the happy recap …

NUMBER OF GOALS BY WASHINGTON'S ALEXANDER OVECHKIN: I say 58, while Chris had 53.

In the final game of the season, Alex the Gr8 scored his 56th goal with 6:09 to play in a 7-4 loss to Florida.

NUMBER OF POINTS BY PITSBURGH'S SIDNEY CROSBY: I say 107, Chris goes with 112.

Sid the Kid finished with 103, and I should be thankful for this. From Feb. 16-April 1, no player was hotter than Crosby, who had nine goals and 18 assists in a 16-game points streak. Over the final five games – three goals and two assists.

And a propos of nothing … when is he going to have a 50-goal season? Crosby was hyped among some of the game’s greatest names – people were comparing him to owner Mario Lemieux in Steeltown. I know Crosby is only 22, but he’s looking more like Mats Sundin to me.

YOUR SIX DIVISION WINNERS: I have gone with Philadelphia, Montreal, Tampa Bay, Detroit, Vancouver, Dallas; Chris has chosen Pittsburgh, Montreal, Carolina, Detroit, San Jose, Calgary.

We both crapped out in the East as New Jersey, Boston and Washington led their divisions. In the West, it was Detroit, Vancouver and San Jose.

The Canucks took the Northwest despite having one fewer win than the Flames.

FIRST COACH OUT (FIRED OR RESIGNED): I have a hunch that Mike Keenan will wear out his welcome in Calgary. Chris thinks Wayne Gretzky won't last in Phoenix.

This was settled very quickly when Chicago axed Denis Savard four games into the season.

While Keenan led Calgary to a second-place finish in the Northwest, Phoenix was tied for last in the Pacific with 79 points.

WORST TEAM: This one should come down to the wire - I've chosen Los Angeles; Chris picks the New York Islanders.

The addition of Jonathan Quick (21-18-2, 2.48 goals-against average, 4 shutouts) in goal around midseason made sure I wouldn’t win this.

Chris nailed this. As he said back in October … I think this is the season this team finally bottoms out dysfunction-wise, and it’s going to be ugly. Like sub-65 point ugly. I also think the Atlantic Division is stronger than the Pacific (where you took the Kings) and will result in a lower point percentage.

And while it is universally accepted the Kings currently have no goaltending, I’m not counting on (goaltender Rick) DiPietro being healthy for a full season, which will cost them at least six wins.

DiPietro lasted five games. The Islanders finished with 61 points, their fewest since 2000-01.


Fogo de Chao, here I come!