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NHL Playoff Preview: Eastern Conference

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The First round matchups are finally set and the playoffs are officially upon us. It was a wild finish to the regular season that saw Washington earn the 7th seed on the very last day, thus avoiding a matchup with the powerful Rangers. We also saw Sniper Steven Stamkos join an elite group of scorers when he potted his 60th goal of the season while only further solidifying himself as the games top pure goal scorer (it also doesn’t hurt to have the gifted Martin St. Louis dishing the puck to you). Now that the regular season is over, let’s wipe the slates clean and take a look at each matchup and try to determine a favorite for each.

#1 NY Rangers vs. #8 Ottawa Senators

No team benefited more through the seeding change that took place on the last day of the season than New York. With Washington finishing seventh the Rangers truly dodged a bullet. Although the Rangers are considered to be one of the top 3 teams league wide, having to play against a skilled team like the Capitals is always dangerous and I’m sure the Blue shirts are happy their getting Ottawa. However, that’s not to say Ottawa will be a pushover, because this team can score goals. Their 249 goals puts them just above that threshold of 3 goals per game, making them an offensively capable bunch. The key to this series will be Henrik Lundqvist, and that should come as no surprise. The Vezina Trophy favorite has been stellar all season and this could be his time to carry his team to that next level. A dominant series by King Henrik could set the tone for these playoffs and make New York the favorites for the cup.

Prediction: Rangers 4 Senators 1

#2 Boston Bruins vs. #7 Washington Capitals

The defending champs may be in for an early test as they face the Capitals. The veteran Bruins are a team that wins games because of two things; their physicality and their depth. No other team in the NHL gets as much out of every line as this team, and come playoff time that makes a huge difference. Also having a former Vezina Trophy winner in net (Tim Thomas) doesn’t hurt. I look for Washington to come out with passion, because just a few weeks back they looked destined to be on the golf course by now. I also look for Alexander Ovechkin to really take over and play his type of hockey. If he can set the tone for his team by scoring goals and laying some big checks he can be the X-factor. That being said the Capitals as a whole may lack the depth and firepower to beat the sturdy Bruins, but this series should bring a lot of excitement for fans.

Prediction: Bruins 4 Capitals 2

#3 Florida Panthers vs. # 6 New Jersey Devils

The story of two teams going in opposite directions is evident here and the upset alert is on. Florida stumbled to the finish and needed a win in their last game, which they got, to cling to the #3 seed. That win got them a matchup with the red hot Devils. Riding a 6 game win streak the Devils have looked strong down the stretch and are showing that they may have a team ready to make a deep playoff run. The two teams split the season series 2 a piece, but I think all the momentum here lies with the Devils. However as I said before, playoff hockey is like a fresh start, records don’t matter anymore. The key in this series will be Ilya Kovalchuk and his ability to create as well as score. Kovalchuk was a point per game player this season and if he can continue that pace he will be pacing the Devils to a route of the Panthers in this series.

Prediction: Devils 4 Panthers 1

#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 Philadelphia Flyers

And here lies the gem of all the matchups in the Eastern conference. Put quite frankly, these are 2 of the top 5 teams in the NHL and this series will be a heavily contested bloodbath. The last time these teams met over 100 penalty minutes were served up, as well as some key injuries to both teams. I look for that aggression and snarl to be key parts of this series, in addition to the enormous skill that both teams have in abundance. The key in this series, to the surprise of some, will be goaltending play. We know guys like Claude Giroux, Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby are going to score, but what we don’t know is how much. If Pittsburgh’s Marc-Andre Fleury or Philadelphia’s Ilya Bryzgalov can step up and be dominant they will win their team the series. The team that does win this series has a great chance at winning the cup, because I believe this matchup is comparable to a great semifinal where the winner gains that confidence needed to go all the way. I give the slightest of edges to The Flyers because I believe their Goalie Bryzgalov will earn his keep through a dominant performance in a big series.

Prediction: Flyers 4 Penguins 3

Agree? Disagree? Let me hear what you’re thinking!

Sid The Kid Back In Action?

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The situation surrounding Sidney Crosby and his concussion issues has been well documented as it has become a story campaigning for change in the NHL. Gone are the days when enforcers like Scott Stevens, Tie Domi or Clark Gillies patrolled the ice waiting to lay a brutal check on an unsuspecting player. The days of the enforcer are over primarily because of the rule changes the NHL has imposed that make it illegal to target the head of an opponent as well as various stipulations that punish players for checks that are often clean but seismic, making them dirty and often deeming punishment. The Sidney Crosby story has become a prime example that the league is still physical and that perhaps some rules may need to be adjusted for the sake of player safety, but at the same time any rule changes may well change the foundations of hockey that fans have come to love.

Protecting a coveted star is undoubtedly in everyone’s best interest, but is there not a sense of risk when one commits to being a professional athlete? I’m not advocating that a player should risk brain trauma to earn his paycheck, but as rules become stricter the game changes, and not always for the best. Talks have even begun about the possibility of banning fighting from the sport, a part of the game that many teams use as a morale boost when things are not going so well. A well-timed fight featuring two enforcers is one of the most exciting parts of a hockey game, especially in a rivalry game, and serves as a means to get the team going. Banning such fights would take away an aspect of the game that many fans find to be intricate and would only further “soften” the image of today’s athletes over those of the past. What Crosby has gone through is an absolute tragedy (having to miss over a year with a Concussion and Concussion Symptoms), but I feel like the fact that he is a superstar is making people overreact to the situation. Crosby’s injury took place on a pair of hits that after review were both deemed “legal checks” and thus means that they were more accidental than malicious. Player safety is a top priority but the physicality of hockey is something that should not be compromised without much thought as it is instilled into the very nature of the game. Teams like the Boston Bruins of last season would not have won Stanley Cups had the league not allowed a high level of physical play, because quite frankly, that’s their edge.

It was announced just a few days ago that Sidney Crosby would begin contact drills and could return to his team by this Sunday, just in time to play the Bruins. Now this is a rather interesting situation considering Crosby felt concussion symptoms after taking a number of hits the last time he played Boston on December 5th; his last game before going back on the disabled list. The Bruins are a very physical team (sometimes even a dirty team), so it’s interesting that Pittsburgh is targeting that game for Sid’s return, a questionable move in my opinion. Waiting until the following Thursday when the Penguins visit the Rangers at Madison Square Garden makes more sense considering the Rangers play a more finesse game than the Bruins, which would help ease Crosby into his return rather than just tossing him into the fire.

With Crosby’s return imminent the fantasy hockey world is about to be rattled big time, especially when you factor in how awesome teammate Evgeni Malkin has been all season without his other star. If Crosby can contribute like he did in his limited 8 game return this season (posting 2 Goals, 10 Assists), the Penguins could be a scary team coming down the stretch run of the season. The bigger question however for Pittsburgh fans and NHL fans in general is how healthy is Crosby and are his symptoms really gone? We won’t know the answer to that question until he takes the ice, but the fact that he’s been out for over a year isn’t generating confidence. However, with his return on the horizon I for one am hoping he can regain the form that had everyone thinking he was on pace to break every scoring record in the book, and then some. Crosby’s talent and injury problems show us that nobody is invincible and that every athlete should feel blessed for their health, because as talented as you are, it only takes one bad moment to turn your career in a whole new direction.

The fact that Crosby is fighting to come back, and seems ready to do so, is a testament to his will and perseverance; it shows that he wants to play hockey. It’s refreshing to see that even in today’s money hungry sports world, the love of the game still exists. This is a guy who has enough money off contracts and endorsements at age 24 to retire and live happy for a number of lifetimes, yet he’s fighting to make it back to the job he loves. It’s not about the money for him; it’s about his legacy and his image. Sidney Crosby is a once in a lifetime type of player and the league is not the same without him; believe me, the league needs him a lot more than he needs it. With Sid the Kid on pace to get in 15 games before the playoffs, we’ll get a clear indication of whether he’s the same player we’re accustomed to seeing or a mere shell of his former self. If I know anything about this guy and his heart (his cold blooded-game winning goal in the Olympics showed me all I needed to see)  I’m betting he comes back to the tune of dominance, anyone betting against me?

Excited To See Crosby Back? Will He Still Be Dominate? Thoughts?

The Value Of Dwight Howard

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If you’ve watched the NBA for the past decade you know that it’s a Guard’s league now. The scoring prowess of players like Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter forever shifted the game of basketball in a new direction. This greatly opposes times of old when players like Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley or Karl Malone used their physical stature to beat you down and really wear you down throughout the game.

Today’s NBA may feature guard play more because of how fast and strong these Guards have become ( just take a look at the build of a guy like Russell Westbrook if you need evidence), but I attribute it more to a lack of talent at the Center position. If you scour around the entire NBA you’d have a tough time naming me three centers that are truly dominant at their position, but you should have no problem naming me one. Since coming into the league out of high school in 2004, Dwight Howard has been the incarnation of the Center position of old; being tough, physical and a giant of a man. In his career he has never averaged below ten rebounds per game for a season, even his rookie campaign, and this season he is averaging a whopping 14.9 RPG.

Although Howard’s stats tell a lot about his impact on the game, his true value is the effect he has just being on the court. Known as the league’s best shot blocker, Howard changes the mindset of his opponents with his style of play, whether it be through a vicious dunk, a huge rebound or even a good hard foul, you always know Dwight is controlling the paint. Because of his size (6-11, 265 Lbs) and incredible fitness D12 is not only stronger than other Centers, but he is much quicker and skilled than the rest of his counterparts. His value is seemingly endless and since the Center position is so drained of talent this only adds to Howard’s value. The disparity between Howard and a mediocre Center is enormous, while the difference between an elite guard like Dwyane Wade and a pretty good guard like Brandon Jennings is not nearly as vast. If Howard ever decided to get truly aggressive on the offensive end, teams better watch out because he’s capable of being a 30-point & 20-rebound type of guy every single night. There is simply nobody in the league today who can stop him.

The knock I have on Howard is his inability to take over offensively (the majority of the time) as well as his willingness to defer to his teammates that are, quite frankly, not as talented as he is (Hedo Turkoglu and Jason Richardson come to mind). These are areas he can improve on by being more selfish.

Since Howard has requested a trade from Orlando I would make him my focus if I were a General Manager of any NBA team. Howard is a generational talent that instantly turns a bad defense into a solid one, and a good defense into a great one. There are few players worth gutting your roster to get, but I believe by the end of his career we may talk about Howard as the most dominant Center of all-time, as his potential is limitless. Rumors have Dwight going to New Jersey, but that trade seems hedged on the fact that Brook Lopez can stay healthy and show that he can contribute (Lopez did look good the last few games until he suffered another injury, this time to his ankle), something that is not so clear-cut right now. Regardless, the Nets should prioritize getting Howard now because if they wait until the off-season, “Dwight Mania” will simply take over and the Nets may not be able to match offers of teams that are just as desperate for a superstar.

What separates Howard from other attractive free agents is his ability to impose his will on a game as well as the toughness that he implements into the team mentality. Even when he struggles to score, he never takes a night off on the glass or on the defensive end of the floor; his effort level is incredible. The only other player that I see in the NBA that even comes close to matching Howard in terms of physicality and defensive strength is Tyson Chandler, and even as a Dallas Mavericks Fan (Thank You Tyson for that Championship), I know that Howard is a far superior player. Also, not to be underrated is Howard’s ability to stay relatively injury free, which adds to his value, and for a man of his size is something to be marveled at, especially when you see potential big man stars like Greg Oden and Brook Lopez struggling just to stay on the court much less be productive players for their teams.

Quite frankly, Dwight Howard is the most important free agent to become available since Shaquille O’Neal (Ironic?) and teams better offer him everything short of team ownership to get him to sign. If you look at the impact Tyson Chandler had on the Mavericks team that won the Championship last season, one can only imagine the effect Howard would have had in the same scenario; it would have been scary. A contender wrapping up Dwight Howard this off-season could result in that team winning multiple Championships in my opinion, considering he’s only 26 years-old ( just beginning to hit his prime), is starting to learn how to be dominant at both ends of the floor and is hungry for a championship(s).

Although the Nets seem to have the edge in adding the big man, don’t be surprised if suitors start showing up out of everywhere because as I said, Howard can win a good team a Championship since he will make that team great defensively, and that’s where Championships are won and lost. Dwight Howard is a special player and in the coming years he will change the scope of the NBA power structure with his new team, whatever team that may be…

Where Do You See Howard Ending Up? Is He The League’s Top Center? Let Me Hear Your Thoughts!

Rondo Historic In Celtics’ Win over Knicks

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Rajon Rondo had a special game for the hometown crowd that flooded the TD Garden in Boston Sunday afternoon. Playing against the revived Jeremy Lin-led Knicks, the Celtics looked like the team of old, at least for a game. The Celtics have been trying to regain their form after a tough stretch to start the season, and the All-Star break seems to have done them well. A well-rested Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce wrecked havoc on the Knicks, with much credit belonging to the play-making of All-Star Point Guard Rajon Rondo. In a 115-111 Overtime Victory for Boston, Rondo managed a line of 18 Points, 17 Rebounds and 20 Assists; marking just the third time in NBA history a player was able to rack up 17+ Rebounds with 20+ Assists (Magic Johnson and Wilt “The Stilt” Chamberlain are the only others to have done so). Although critics will talk about how this game went to overtime (the other two achievers did so in regulation), this by no means discredits Rondo’s performance. The fact that such a game has occurred just three times in the storied history of the NBA speaks to how special the performance truly was and is. The way I see it, the fact that Rondo put up this type of showing in a big game and that in the scope of things every point and assist he earned were vital in his team winning, this game may be even more special because of how tight the score was.

Being able to watch this one live, the game Rondo put together ranks up there with any individual performance I can recall from recent memory. Rondo’s dominance on the scoreboard as well as his dominance of the tempo made watching his play enjoyable, even as a non-Boston fan, merely as a fan of the game and its merits. The game seemed to flow through him and everything he did worked, and he looked smooth. Whether it was a crafty drive to the basket or a well fed pass to a cutting teammate, Rondo could do no wrong and he showed that his talent is something to be marveled at. Until today I never saw Rajon Rondo as a superstar that could carry a team alone, but believe me, after today I’ll never be silly enough to think such a thought again.

Where Do You Rank Rondo’s Performance? What Happened To Jeremy Lin? Thoughts?

The Fab 5: Top NHL Fantasy Players

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With the trade deadline passing just days ago the chase for Lord Stanley’s Cup is heating up. The Rick Nash sweepstakes fell short of its hype as the Columbus Blue Jackets kept their star sniper for the time being, with much speculation over where he’ll be come next season.

The deadline saw a handful of minor deals that contenders hope can get them over the hump. The Nashville Predators acquired Hal Gill and Andrei Kostitsyn, two veterans who should add experience and toughness to the team. The New Jersey Devils got Marek Zidlicky, a finesse defensemen who they hope can quarterback their power play, and the New York Rangers stayed put, something we did not expect, especially after they dumped Wojtek Wolski to Florida in a move that seemed to point to the fact that Rick Nash was on his way. Nevertheless one sort of blockbuster trade did occur with Jeff Carter of the Columbus Blue Jackets being moved to the Los Angeles Kings for young defensemen Jack Johnson and a first round pick. Carter was acquired to help the Kings score goals, and that’s something he proved he can do in his time with Philadelphia in the past. However, Columbus got a good return in landing both a top young player in Johnson and getting a very valuable first round pick; this trade was a rarity in the sense that both sides came out getting something they needed.

Now that the rosters will be set for the rest of this season, and the majority of the season is already in the books, let’s take a look at who will be the top 5 Fantasy Hockey contributors when the year comes to a close. Basically, pick these guys every single night they are available as they are the elite when it comes to Fantasy.

5.) Erik Karlsson, D, Ottawa Senators: Karlsson has emerged as one of the best offensive defensemen in the league today with his uncanny playmaking and his speed. This season Karlsson, as a Defenseman mind you, has 66 points (15 Goals, and 51 Assists) in 64 games. That’s better than a point per game from a defenseman, which is quite impressive to say the least. Karlsson has also shown he’s not just offensive minded in going +15 so far this season, and in doing so making himself a very viable candidate (if not unanimous) for the Norris Trophy (NHL’s Top Defensemen).

4.) Claude Giroux, RW, Philadelphia Flyers: Giroux has emerged as the Flyers most potent offensive weapon this season and its come just at the right time. After gutting their roster this off-season by trading away Captain Mike Richards and lethal sniper Jeff Carter, the team chose a new path that would make Chris Pronger Captain (he’s out for the season now with concussion issues) and would see the signing of former Vezina Trophy runner up Ilya Bryzgalov to strengthen up the teams defense and ultimately fill their goal tending void. The play of Claude Giroux  has erased all thoughts that Philadelphia would struggle this season and the line of Scott Hartnell – Jaromir Jagr – Claude Giroux has been one of the elite Fantasy lines in all of hockey. When you see the Flyers playing you be sure to take Giroux as his 5.38 Fantasy Points Per Game (FPPG) rank him in the top 5 and his 49 Assists rank third in the NHL, Giroux is the real deal!

3.) Steven Stamkos, C, Tampa Bay Lightning: Despite the awful season the Lightning are enduring, Stamkos has still been a man on a mission. The goal scoring machine has been just that this season, a machine. His 44 Goals is tops in the NHL by 7 goals, and the next closest guy after that is 12 behind (Phil Kessel-32 Goals). What I’m saying is that Stamkos is the best goal scorer in the league right now, and there’s little doubt that he won’t win his second Rocket Richard Trophy this season as the NHL’s top goal scorer. Stamkos is also averaging a nice 5.66 FPPG (2nd amongst eligible skaters) and has put up 76 points in just 63 games which means 100 points is not out of the works. When you want points for your team, and you want them in bunches, Stamkos is your man.

2.) Henrik Lundqvist, G, New York Rangers: It’s not often that mid-season we already know who our best goalie of the season is, but that’s definitely the case this year. “King Henrik” has emerged as the best goalie in the NHL, and the statistics really don’t lie. In 46 starts Lundqvist is 30-12-1 with a .94 Save Percentage (which if it stands would be the best of all-time), 8 shutouts (tops in the NHL) and an impressive 6.47 FPPG (tops among eligible NHL goalies). All in all Henrik is the most consistent goalie in the NHL night in and night out and his play is the main reason the Rangers are in first place in the Eastern Conference. When Lundqvist is in net he’s a must pick every night, no matter who the Rangers are playing, because believe me…he’s just that great.

1.) Evgeni Malkin, C, Pittsburgh Penguins: How do you deal with losing the face of the NHL and your best player for over a season to concussion problems? Well it certainly doesn’t hurt to have a guy like Evgeni Malkin to step up for you. “Geno” has been unreal this season for the Penguins, that’s really the only way to put it. In just 56 games Malkin already has 79 Points (37 Goals and 42 Assists), that’s an incredible 1.41 Points per game which makes him by far the most productive player in the whole NHL. If MVP voting were held today nobody except Malkin should even receive a vote, that’s how stellar he has been. His 6.93 FPPG is more than a point better than any other skater in the NHL, and his leadership for a Pittsburgh team plagued by injuries only adds to his value. Malkin is this season’s MVP and he’s also this season’s Fantasy MVP, so you know what to do. If you want an all around player that contributes in every category (his 50 Penalty Minutes is also not bad for a scorer) then pick Evgeni Malkin every single night he skates because he is currently the best player in the NHL and will be for the rest of the season.

Who’s Your MVP This Year? How Ridiculous Is Evgeni Malkin? Thoughts? Let Me Hear ‘Em!