tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

Tuesday’s Thoughts

While wondering what it would be like to win the Mega Millions, here is what's on my mind this morning:

* The Maple Leafs roll into the First Niagara Center tonight to take on the Buffalo Sabres in the back end of a home and home. The Leafs won Saturday night at the ACC 4-3 and as a result dealt a blow to the Sabres playoff chances. This will be the Sabres last home game of the regular season, with their remaining two games at Philadelphia and at Boston. This is a must win for Buffalo. It might be a long night for the Leafs.

* Joe Colborne has been called up from the Marlies to fill in for the injured Mikhail Grabovski. I'm lookiing forward to seeing the kid play as he could be a big piece to the puzzle next season.

* Leaf fans should check out the following article about the team's farm system and re-think all of the venom directed at Brian Burke. http://www.torontosun.com/2012/04/02/leafs-hoping-help-is-on-the-way

* What was no surprise to me, the Kentucky Wildcats defeated the Kansas Jayhawks to become NCAA Basketball National Champions. Too bad it started so late to watch.

* Sean Payton is suppose to meet with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to appeal his year long suspension for BountyGate. Many believe that Payton really wants to clearly understand what his restrictions are under the suspension. It is extremely unlikely that there will be any kind of appeal. My question to Goodell is this: are there any other teams that have had a bounty system??

* If the Cleveland Browns take Ryan Tannehill with the fourth overall pick of the draft, Tom Heckert and Mike Holmgren should be run out of town.

* With the injury to Michael Pineda, the New York Yankees starting rotation is set for the start of the season until Andy Pettitte is ready which will be sometime in May. I like the fact that Pettitte is getting ready as it will provide some insurance if Ivan Nova or Phil Hughes hits a speed bump.

* I am really looking forward to the Flyers-Penguins series. Sunday's brawl was old-time hockey and I loved it. Peter Laviolette trying to get at Dan Bylsma reminded me of the time when Pat Burns tried to get at Barry Melrose during the Western Conference Finals during the 1992-93 Playoffs.

* Thoroughly enjoyed an interview that Brian Hayes of TSN Radio Toronto had with Flyer forward Scott Hartnell. I remember when Hartnell was heading into free agency a few years ago when Bill Watters was advocating for the Leafs to get him. They never had a chance when Nashville moved the big guy to Philly.

* The gasbags at WGR 550 are at it again as they are blaming the Sabres lost weekend on goaltender Ryan Miller. If it wasn't for Miller, the Sabres wouldn't be in the hunt right now. He has been honored by the NHL as one of the three stars for the month of March. I suppose it was Miller's fault that Sekera misplayed the puck at the blue line while on the power play that led to the Leafs shorthanded goal. I suppose it was Miller's fault that the Sabres defense allowed the Leafs to crash the net before the end of the second period that resulted in the Leafs second goal. The anti-Miller sentiment on GR550 is incredible. What really needs to happen is that Miller walks out when his contract is up. Better yet, why can't the gasbags rally up all the Louies and Chesters and get Miller traded. How about the Leafs number one pick and Nazem Kadri for Miller??? What do you say Jeremy??? It would be two number ones for Miller. If I were Brian Burke, I would do it in a second.

* And finally, I'll have my MLB Baseball predictions for the 2012 season prior to the Yankees season opener which is Friday.