2010 NHL Playoff Picks – Second Round

Eastern Conference

(4) Pittsburgh v. (8) Montréal

For me, this is the Eastern Conference Final from 2008, two years later. Except now instead of it being the #1 and #2 seeds facing off, it’s the reigning Stanley Cup champions against the (let’s be honest) surprising Habs. The highest remaining seed in the East (Pittsburgh) against the eight seed no one expected to get this far. But when it comes down to it, it’s going to be Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and the experience of two consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup final against Montréal’s limited playoff experience (which does include four players with a combined five Stanley Cup rings). I hate to say it, but Pittsburgh should win.

Pittsburgh in 6

(6) Boston v. (7) Philadelphia

I expected both of these teams not to be here. What we have is Boston, which discovered its scoring touch. We also have Philadelphia, which has received decent goaltending from a former Philadelphia standout who almost washed out. But you have to give credit to Boston goalie Tuuka Rask, who has managed to take over from last year’s Vezina winner, Tim Thomas. But, I still don’t trust the Boston offence. So, I’m taking Philadelphia to take the series.

Philadelphia in 7

Western Conference

(1) San José v. (5) Detroit

San José doesn’t need to run into Detroit. San José, author of repeated face plants in the playoffs after stellar regular seasons, does not need to run into the best team of the past decade and a half. But there is something about Detroit this year. Through most of the year it was more or less stumbling along, not a lock to make the playoffs. Only a stellar post-Olympic run kept it alive. And in dispatching Phoenix, Detroit appeared to lack the killer instinct it has had in the past, until Game 7, of course. But Detroit is Detroit, and until San José manages to break through with a strong playoff run, Detroit is the favourite.

Detroit in 7

(2) Chicago v. (3) Vancouver

A rematch of last year’s Round Two series, which saw Chicago beat Vancouver in six games. Goaltending will be the story of this series. Many prognosticators feel the Chicago tandem of Christobal Huet and Antti Niemi are not good enough to lead the team to the Stanley Cup. Roberto Luongo’s reputation says he is good enough to lead Vancouver, but recent results refute that claim. This series features the NHL’s leading scorer in Henrik Sedin, his twin brother Daniel who scored at roughly the same pace when healthy, and a number of other Vancouver weapons. On the other side, Chicago has a strong defence corps, and numerous weapons up from in the form of Marian Hossa, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. It should be a long one, with Luongo rebounding and Vancouver coming out on top.

Vancouver in 7

Round One Recap – Eastern Conference

(1) Washington v. (8) Montréal

Washington in 6 (Montréal in 7)

Well, I got this wrong. I stand by my logic that Washington had the superior firepower. And also by the fact Halak was better than both Theodore and Varlamov. But I certainly did not factor on the Montréal PK absolutely shutting down the Washington PP. But once Montréal won Game 6, I figured it would be a foregone conclusion that Washington would fold in Game 7. Next up for Montréal: Pittsburgh.

(2) New Jersey v. (7) Philadelphia

New Jersey in 6 (Philadelphia in 5)

I didn’t think I would be this wrong. Not only the wrong team, but it was pretty much a cakewalk for Philadelphia. Yes, Boucher led Philadelphia through the playoffs several years ago, so he wasn’t an unknown quantity. But I didn’t think he would outplay Brodeur. Next up for Philadelphia: Boston.

(3) Buffalo v. (6) Boston

Buffalo in 5 (Boston in 6)

Wow. Are we sure someone didn’t switch jerseys here? What happened to Miller shutting down one of the league’s worst offenses? Something is amiss here. But it is what it is. Next up for Boston: Philadelphia.

(4) Pittsburgh v. (5) Ottawa

Pittsburgh in 5 (Pittsburgh in 6)

The only series I got right in the East. It only lasted six games thanks to Ottawa’s triple-OT win in Game 5. Otherwise, Pittsburgh more or less handled Ottawa with ease. Next up for Pittsburgh: Montréal.

I will get up my second round predictions later today.

Round One Recap – Western Conference

(1) San José v. (8) Colorado

San José in 6 (San José in 6)

I got this series right. I figured San José, despite repeated collapses in the playoffs, would be able to beat the young, first-timers in the Avalanche line up. And I was right. Next up for San José: Detroit.

(2) Chicago v. (7) Nashville

Chicago in 6 (Chicago in 6)

Again, I was right on this one. Chicago has been a trendy pick to advance to the final, and beating Nashville in the first round is that first step. Next up for Chicago: Vancouver, in a rematch of Round Two from last year.

(3) Vancouver v. (6) Los Angeles

Vancouver in 7 (Vancouver in 6)

I overestimated the challenge Los Angeles would give Vancouver. Yet I was still correct in banking on Vancouver’s playoff experience, no matter how limited it actually is relative to other teams. But it’s usually a good idea to bet against the team making its first playoff appearance in several years. Next up for Vancouver: Chicago.

(4) Phoenix v. (5) Detroit

Phoenix in 7 (Detroit in 7)

I got the games right. And I thought Phoenix would have put up more of a fight in Game 7. I guess I was wrong to go with freshness over experience, even though I stand by my logic that with two Cup final appearances in two seasons, Detroit would have been tired. It appears experience trumps fatigue. Next up for Detroit: San José.

Second round predictions will be posted after the Eastern Conference finishes Round One tonight and I have recapped that round.

Omar Khadr

First, a caveat. I have not kept up on what exactly is going on with the Omar Khadr in Guantanamo kafuffle. So what I am about to say may be factually incorrect. But maybe that’s the beauty of this medium. Plus, it’s my opinion, so my facts do not have to be 100 per cent correct. They should be, but probably won’t be.

From what I have heard and read, Khadr was arrested for throwing a grenade at, and subsequently killing, a U.S. soldier. I believe the charges he is being rung up on include some form of war crime.

But here is what I don’t quite understand. As brutal and unnecessary as war is, isn’t the overall point of war to kill the enemy? In this case, Khadr’s enemy was the U.S. soldiers.

So I do not understand how throwing a grenade can constitute a war crime, following my logic.

If there is someone out there who would like to set the record straight for me, I would be appreciative. But as it stands, I am confused how we went from a boy doing what war is about to being charged as a war criminal for doing it. It seems a bit out of step.

Plus, he is Canadian. So why hasn’t our government repatriated him and at least thrown him in jail as a show of good faith to the Americans?

TTC: riders v. operators

Doubtless by now many of you have heard about the massive row going on between TTC operators and riders.

To wit, here is some of the media coverage on the topic:

Riders fed up with rude behaviour

TTC commuters can’t stand rude, crude staff

OK, so it seems only the Toronto Star has been doing stuff on this topic. Very well.

As a TTC rider, and more or less a staunch supporter of the system, I feel I am somewhat privileged to say something on this topic. I am no official voice. Nor am I someone who has no interest whatsoever. But I am a Torontonian who thinks almost everyone here is acting like a child.

So I have a list of things that may help this ‘crisis’ not escalate.

First, riders, pay your fare. The TTC is not a free service. Sorry, but that’s the fact of the matter. Do I think fares are too high? Somewhat. In Ottawa, last I checked, the fare is 3,00 $, but this is a time-based transfer. And there people complain about the high fare. Here in Toronto, the fare is 3,00 $, and when you leave the system, you have to pay again to re-enter. So in that respect the fare is too high. But that doesn’t give cheapskate riders the right, nay, the gall to try and ride for free. It’s not a free service. Get over it.

Second, operators, stop acting all high and mighty. It does pain me to rail against the operators as they have been portrayed in the media, especially because my experience with them has been 95 per cent good. But seriously, just because your job is critical to the lives of millions of other people doesn’t give you the right to hold the riders hostage. A perfect example of this is operators who will not move their vehicles until the riders have moved back. While such a power play may have some merit, such a petty reason to be petulant is, well, petty. We riders will call your bluff more often than not.

Riders, do what you’re asked to do. As in the above point, if you’re not moving back in the bus, streetcar, etc., you may be impinging on the lives of your fellow riders. Other examples of riders making the TTC less attractive are subway and SRT riders who enter a car and stop. Period. They enter the car and stop in the doorway, blocking other riders from getting in. Do you want to know why the subway is so slow some mornings and evenings? It’s because of riders who think, oh, I’m on the subway now, I can rest until my stop. Yes, you can. But only once you’ve let your fellow passengers on as well. Get out of the way.

Operators, show common courtesy to your fellow human beings. Riders, do the same. Operators, you need to remember that, above all, you’re doing your job to earn a living to support yourselves and your families (if you have one). Just like the riders you’re ferrying from point A to point B. Riders, remember that the operators are doing their jobs to earn a living. And you are likely using the TTC to get to where you earn your living. Or home again. If we all remember that we do things in order to eke out a living, and that sometimes a person can have a rough day at work, and we empathize with that, we can all get along.

Honestly, it’s all about respect. Now, show some, dammit!

Evening News

I found this online, which is where I find a lot of things.

So tell me, my fellow journos, what do you think of this? Is it accurate? Is it in poor taste?

I will let you decide.

For what it’s worth, I find it humorous.

2010 NHL Playoff Picks – First Round

Eastern Conference

(1) Washington v. (8) Montréal

I really want to say that Montréal will win. Being a Habs fan, I am biased like that. It won’t happen. But, I do feel that if Halak plays like he did most of the season, this series will take six or seven games. Overall, Washington has too much firepower to be denied.

Washington in 6

(2) New Jersey v. (7) Philadelphia

This could be an interesting one. On the one side you have Martin Brodeur, who has not played all that well since the Olympics. But he’s still Martin Brodeur. On the other side you have the rotating goalies in Philly, led by Brian Boucher. From that it should be a no-brainer. And that’s what I’m calling it.

New Jersey in 6

(3) Buffalo v. (6) Boston

Let’s see. Ryan Miller, the goalie who led his team to a near upset of Canada at the Olympics. Or Tuukka Rask, who has managed to get the second-lowest scoring team in the NHL (or lowest, depending on the metric used or where you look) into the playoffs. I would say goaltending is a wash. And since Boston can’t score to save its life, I’m going with Buffalo.

Buffalo in 5

(4) Pittsburgh v. (5) Ottawa

Pittsburgh is the reigning Stanley Cup champion. Despite an 11-game winning streak, Ottawa has been fairly middling all year. Pittsburgh has the league’s leading goal scorer and second leading scorer. Ottawa lost Alex Kovalev (ask Montréal, it’s not that big a loss) for the playoffs.

Pittsburgh in 5

Western Conference

(1) San José v. (8) Colorado

San José is known to flop in the playoffs with astonishing regularity. Colorado isn’t supposed to be in the playoffs this year. In fact, it almost fell out of them, only to be saved by Calgary’s inability to win down the stretch.

San José in 6

(2) Chicago v. (7) Nashville

Chicago hasn’t gone into the playoffs this highly ranked in years. Nashville has yet to win a playoff series in its history. Nashville has solid goaltending, while Chicago’s net situation is less than stable, with either Christobal Huet or Annti Niemi able to hold down the fort. But on offence Chicago has to be favoured.

Chicago in 6

(3) Vancouver v. (6) Los Angeles

Normally having Roberto Luongo in net would tilt this completely to Vancouver. But he hasn’t been on his game for a long while. But Los Angeles’ situation is also far from being settled. Plus, Vancouver has the league’s leading scorer on its side. And Luongo does have the experience.

Vancouver in 7

(4) Phoenix v. (5) Detroit

A few weeks ago, Detroit was on the verge of missing the playoffs for the first time since 1989-1990. Phoenix is in the playoffs for the first time since 2001-2002. Detroit has the experience, having been in the last two Stanley Cup finals. This is also a drawback, as Detroit has played more games in the past two seasons than any team not from Pittsburgh (in fact, Detroit may have played more games than Pittsburgh, I don’t know, but it’s close I suspect). I think the freshness of Phoenix will win out over the experience of Detroit.

Phoenix in 7

Area Codes

Read these first:

‘905’ gets some new numbers

905 region to add new area code

Soon, you’ll be calling the 365, not just the 905 area code

Southern Ontario to get new area code

I am disappointed to see this. Why does the 905 get a new area code when the 416 isn’t getting a new one yet?

Here are the facts as they stand:

416/647 covers Toronto.

905/289 covers, well, the 905. I don’t know how to break that up geographically. If you’re from southern Ontario, you know where the 905 is relative to the 705/249, 519/226 and 613/343 (yes, they do touch).

Granted the new 365 won’t be in place until 2013, why are we hearing about this well before we hear about the new 416/647 area code? I would have thought, given the heft that the 416/647 holds, it would be the next region to be granted a new area code.

As a proud Centre-of-the-Universer, I am disappointed and somewhat insulted that the 905, the bush if you will, is granted a third area code before the mighty Centre of the Universe.

Now, there is something I do need to say. Something I did not know until doing some (very basic) research for this. The 705 area code is apparently getting an overlay, the 249, some time in 2011. I did not know that.

But, fortunately, what I thought I knew about Ontario’s remaining area code, the 807, is true. The 807 is the only area code in its region, and is not due to be overlain until 2160. In other words, never. Relatively.

Media Commentary – Tiger Woods

This will be a short one. But I feel compelled to say something about it.

So, Tiger Woods is back on the golf course. Hooray. </sarcasm>

But honestly, here is what I say about that: Good for him. He is a golfer. He golfs. That’s what he does. And that is the only reason he should be in the news.

His personal trials and tribulations? Who, honestly, cares?

I made some comments about this several weeks ago. I don’t feel as if the lives of celebrities are news. Unless they die. And they had a significant impact in some way, shape or form on the world. Not like I believe they should get media coverage for that stuff.

But back to brass tacks.

Tiger Woods is currently getting the only attention he deserves: attention for doing what he is paid to do. Or rather, what he is paid for doing if he does it well. If he wins the Masters, he deserves media attention. If he loses the Masters (doesn’t win, as he can’t ‘lose’ the Masters unless he has the lead after his 71st hole and then utterly collapse), he deserves media attention. If he misses the cut (impossible as he is playing today and the cut took place yesterday), he deserves media attention.

But if he cheats on his wife, or crashes his car, or catches an STD (though if he caught one from his wife it would be hilarious), there is no need for any media attention.

He should get media attention for doing something on the golf course, i.e. his job. He should not get attention for doing something off the course, i.e. as a private citizen.

QED