Big Comeback Masks Yankee Pitching Problem
Twitter world was exploding around 6pm yesterday as Yankee fans were screaming for General Manager Brian Cashman's head. You see word just came out that Michael Pineda was experiencing shoulder soreness after his latest bullpen session. It is such a problem that Pineda has been shut down and was sent back to New York for an MRI to determine if he needs shoulder surgery. The news coupled with another terrible start from Freddy Garcia had Yankee fans in an uproar. As the Yankees mounted an improbable comeback, fans' attention were now focused on the big days of Mark Teixiera and Nick Swisher and the continual descent of the Boston Red Sox and their loud-mouth manager, Bobby Valentine. However, the problem still exists: the Yankee rotation is in trouble.
For those of you who have read this blog, I have continually said that with the new playoff format if you end up being a wild card team it is going to be essential that you have a deep rotation. When Cashman acquired Pineda and signed Hiroki Kuroda, I thought it was a good move. Suddenly, the Yankees had six potential starters. Then with the news that Andy Pettite was coming back, things really looked good. Well, the Yanks suddenly find themselves with major rotation problems. CC Sabathia has not been his typical self but I believe that as the weather heats up so will CC. Ivan Nova has been a saviour. The kid is a gamer and is able to get outs when he needs them. Kuroda has been up and down and one would think he will right himself based upon history. But after that, there is nothing but trouble.
Phil Hughes has not been good. His last outing gave some hope and one has to wonder if Joe "The Binder" Girardi shouldn't have taken him out of the game after he walked the leadoff batter in the sixth inning. He also was done in by a Eduardo Nunez error in the 1st inning. However, a pitcher needs to pick up a teammate in a situation like that. Freddy Garcia has been a mess since the season has started. Reports indicate that his fastball is in the low 80's and that's not going to cut it.
Yankee fans are upset with Cashman because of what is going on with Pineda. The common belief is that Pineda was damaged goods. The Yankees maintain that Pineda passed their physical and they were satisfied that he was in good shape. But we do know that like Hughes last season, Pineda came into camp out of shape. You would think that going to a new team that Pineda would want to make sure that he made a good impression and come into camp ready to go. That was not the case and now the Yankees have pitching problems.
One can only imagine what would be going on right now if The Boss were still around. There is no doubt in my mind that Cashman would be getting ripped. One has to wonder if these developments will mean that Cashman will finally allow a youngster within the Yankee farm system to have an opportunity to make it into the rotation, similar to Ivan Nova a couple of years ago and Chien-Ming Wang back in 2005.
The comeback was nice, particularly against Boston in Fenway. But it happened during a game in April against a team that is in disarray, with a bullpen that is a joke. In October, the pitching is much better and I can't remember teams in the playoffs coming back from a 9-run deficit. The Yankees have set the bar that winning it all is all that matters. Unless something turns around with the starting rotation, there will be no parade down the Canyon of Heroes this October.
2012 Yankees – Red Sox Begins Today
This afternoon at 3pm the Blood Rivalry between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox will have its opening act for 2012 at 100 year old Fenway Park. In fact, today marks the actual date 100 years ago that the first game was played at Fenway. The Yankees roll into Boston with a 7-6 record after holding on last night for a 7-6 win over the Minnesota Twins. The Red Sox are 4-8 and in last place in the AL East.
Like with most rivalries, records don't matter particularly this early in a long season. The scary thing for the Yankees is that they could be just what Boston needs to get on track. Tonight's pitching match-up is Ivan Nova versus Clay Buchholz. The Red Sox will be without Carl Crawford and Jacob Ellsbury and are reeling under the watchful eye of Bobby Valentine. Valentine has caused an uproar with his criticism of Kevin Youkilis.
There will be plenty of hype for this series as there usually is when these two teams meet. What you can also bank on are games lasting for four hours. I for one am not going to buy into the hype. There are 19 games between these two teams. It is too exhausting to make these games life and death. At the end of the day it's about qualifying to play in October. So everyone needs to take a chill pill. This is one series in April and the Yankees need to play well just like they need to play well in a series against Kansas City in May.
Here's hoping these games could be played under four hours.
Torres Needs To Be Suspended For 30 Games
After watching the hit by repeat offender Raffi Torres on Chicago's Marion Hossa, it is clear to me that the NHL needs to grow a set and suspend this thug for the rest of the Coyotes playoff games and for the first 30 games of the 2012-2013 season. I viewed the hit on a nearly 4 minute clip that was on CBS Sportsline. They showed what happened from many different angles but the one that was really telling was from behind the play.
Hossa is skating with the puck just outside the Hawk blue line. Torres is in the Hawk zone and makes a bee line toward Hossa, leaves his feet and leads with his elbow at Hossa's head. For Torres to say that this was just a hockey play makes him the biggest cement head ever. Torres pulled the same crap last season in the playoffs. He is a cheap shot artist who needs to be sent a strong message.
I am not one of these guys who wants fights taken out of the game. I love the hard-hitting and emotion that comes with playoff hockey. But the hit on Hossa has no business in the game. He's a thug and not a very good hockey player at that. What's as disturbing as the hit was the fact that not one official on that ice saw what happened because if they did a penalty should have been called on Torres. 2 referees and 2 linesmen and no one saw the hit??? Really?? The NHL should be ashamed and the 4 officials should be reprimanded.
John Tortorella was right when he said that players don't have any respect for the game. If they did, this stuff wouldn't be happening and guys like Torres would have to change their ways.
Tuesday’s Thoughts
While wondering if there is a more annoying play-by-play guy than Michael Kay, here's what is on my mind this morning:
* Freddy Garcia has been terrible in both of his starts this season for the Yankees. One has to wonder if the bubble has bursted for the aging right hander. Maybe warmer weather will help Garcia but by that time it may be too late as Andy Pettite could be ready by mid-May.
* Not sure what it is but the start of this Yankee season has been less than inspiring. Probably the best game so far has been the home opener win over the Angels as Hiroki Kuroda pitched very well and Alex Rodriguez homered and had 3 hits. I keep on telling myself that it is a long season but with CC Sabathia struggling, Phil Hughes and Freddy Garcia imploding and the middle of the lineup not producing I'm a little nervous. But, the sun will come up tomorrow, it's only April and the cream will rise to the top.
* Love the way Derek Jeter has started the season. As I have said many times over, it will be awhile before we see another Yankee like The Captain. Too bad his teammates aren't hitting as well right now.
* The NHL Playoffs have been AWESOME!!! To me there is no other sports post season that has the emotion and drama that are evident in the Race for the Stanley Cup. I was so happy that the NY Rangers defeated the Ottawa Senators last night to take a 2-1 lead in the series. The Senators are punks. There is not one player on that team that I have any respect for. Between Chris Neil, Matt Carkner and that former Islander cement head Zenon Konopka, I don't know who I dislike more. Probably Konopka.
* Love the way Brian Boyle plays. Big guy who throws his body around and can score. And if Henrik Lundqvist doesn't win the Vezina Trophy its a joke. He was incredible last night. So much for the WGR gasbags, Mike Schopp & Jeremy White, who don't think you need a top-notch goalie to win in the playoffs .
* Another example of why White & Schopp should stick to food drafts is the play of Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick. Quick has been outstanding and his Kings have the obnoxious Vancouver Canucks on the ropes with a commanding 3-0 lead in their series. I couldn't be happier to see the whining and diving Canucks get swept.
*The Philadelphia-Pittsburgh series has been unbelievable. The Flyers have been incredible in this series. Their resilency in the first 2 games of the series in Pittsburgh set the tone and the Penguins lost their composure in Game 3. This series is over as I can't see Pittsburgh winning four in a row. The Flyers seem poised to make a long-run however the only concern could be Ilya Bryzgalov. He will need to be better as the Flyers move on. By the way, I just love watching Scott Hartnell, Claude Giroux and Jaromir Jagr play. And Wayne Simmonds could be the next big-time power forward in the NHL.
* Here's hoping that Nashville and St.Louis can advance. I really enjoy watching both teams play and they are doing without spending big-time money.
* Watching the playoffs up to this point it is clear that neither the Sabres or the Leafs would have fared well in this first round. Both teams are too small and soft to battle with the likes of the top 5 seeded teams in the conference.
* How arrogant is the NFL?? Is anyone really going to be watching tonight the unveiling of the 2012 NFL schedule?? I for one will not be watching it.
* How long will it take for the Boston Red Sox to have a mass insurrection against their loud-mouth media hog manager, Bobby Valentine? Valentine is in some hot water for publicly criticizing Kevin Youkilis for not being physically and emotionally into the game. Dustin Pedroia defended Youkilis and said if Valentine was trying to motivate Youk that this isn't Japan and it doesn't work that way in Boston. Valentine needs to realize that he is no longer a TV analyst. With the personalities in that Red Sox clubhouse, I think it's only a matter of time for an uprising.
* I had to laugh last night while watching the Yankee game on YES. During the game they showed the twitter handles for the Yankee broadcasters including Michael Kay. The same Michael Kay who blocked me last week because I was critical of him. Talk about being sensitive. I guess it's ok to send a tweet to him as long as you puff up his ego which is as big as his head!!
* It's no wonder that Kay has a weekly radio spot with Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine. They are both self-promoting, arrogant clowns.
* Laughed my head off over the weekend following Jeremy White on twitter during the Flyers-Penguins game. White was whining about how he wished the Sabres were in the playoffs. Really, Jeremy??? It wouldn't be pretty.
* Funny how some Sabre fans are critical of Leafs GM Brian Burke but at least Burke faced the media in a end-of-the-year press conference. In the meantime, Darcy Reiger was nowhere to be found. With so many questions, the Sabres felt that it wasn't necessary for Reiger to face the music.
* It is a commonly known fact that the Yankees have more fans in WNY than any other team. In spite of this, not one radio station in the Buffalo market is covering Yankee games this year. What a complete joke. The great WGR 550 Sports radio hasn't covered the Yankees for years. In fact, they don't even cover the MLB playoffs. To listen to baseball playoffs you have to tune in to a Toronto radio station. We here in WNY are in the sports wilderness. Thankfully, we can easily pick up Toronto sports radio that covers all sports.
* And finally, RIP Chief Jay Strongbow. The former WWE wrestler died last week at the age of 86. He was known for the "tomahawk chop".
What’s Up With Phil Hughes??
Phil Hughes had another disasterous start yesterday giving up 6 runs in 3 1/3 innings, allowing 8 hits and walking 2 while striking out 6. While the Yankee bats once again could not capitalize on chances to score, Hughes could not give his team a chance to win. It's really troubling to see a once promising career teeter on the brink of being a middling starter at best.
There has been no bigger fan of Phil Hughes than me. What sold me on the kid was when he relieved Roger Clemens in a playoff game against the Cleveland Indians. On that night, Hughes kept his team in the game and the Yankees came back to win their only game in that series. In 2009, the kid played a significant role as being the set-up man for Mariano Rivera in the Yankees World Series run. The following year, Hughes won 18 games and made the American League All-Star team. And then the bottom dropped out.
Hughes has had a terrible problem of closing out a hitter. He will get ahead in the count, 1-2 or 0-2, and can't put the hitter away. This kid was the crown jewel of the Yankee farm system. In reading about him, he loves being a Yankee and was clearly relieved when Brian Cashman did not complete a trade with Minnesota that would have sent Hughes to Minnesota as part of a package to get Johan Santana. It was not wanting to give up Hughes that nixed the trade as Cashman had a lot of faith that the kid could be a top of the rotation pitcher for years to come. Suddenly, there's a question as to whether Hughes can be a servicable back-end starter.
With the possibility that Mariano Rivera may retire at the end of this year, it would appear that David Robertson or Rafael Soriano could be the closer in waiting. As a result, there could be a spot open for a set-up man. With Andy Pettite weeks away from coming up to the Bronx and the possibility of Michael Pineda joining the team at some point, maybe it's time for the Yankees to consider moving Hughes to the bullpen. He has shown an ability to excel there as evidenced by his performance in 2007 and 2009. It may be the only way to save this kid's career as a Yankee.
Great Day In The Bronx As Yankees Win 5-0
On a bright sunny day in the Bronx, with Yankee great Jorge Posada throwing out the first pitch, the Yankees came out swinging and received a great game from Hiroki Kuroda to post a 5-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Opening day was a rebound of sorts for some Yankees. Kuroda did not have a good start with the Yanks in his first game in Tampa against the Rays and there were many who were wondering whether or not Kuroda could pitch in the American League. Well, yesterday Kuroda went 8+ innings allowing 5 hits, walking 2 and striking out 6. If the Yankees get this type of performance from Kuroda throughout the season, the money spent to acquire him will be well worth it. It was a nice bounce back game from the former Dodger.
Alex Rodriguez had been struggling at the plate heading into yesterday's game. Well ARod went 3-4 with a monster home run to center field. Manager Joe Girardi's lineup switch, moving ARod to 3rd in the batting order and Robinson Cano to clean-up, seemed to be agreeable to the Yankee third baseman. ARod's production will be a key factor in the Yankees success this season.
This afternoon, the Yankees will face former Texas Ranger C.J. Wilson. The Yankees will counter with Phil Hughes. Hughes will be looking to pitch beyond 5 innings today which will mean that he will have to try to reduce his pitch count early on in the game. A strong game by Hughes will continue the good feeling among Yankee fans that Opening Day presented. It would also send an early message to the rest of the American League that the Yankees are poised for a great season in 2012.
Opening Day In The Bronx!!!
Today at 1:05pm, the Los Angeles Angels will be the opponent as the 2012 New York Yankees open their home season in The House That The Boss Built. Both of these teams are pre-season favorites to be legitimate contenders to represent the American League in the World Series. However, each team has struggled coming out of the gate over the first 6 games as the Yanks are 3-3 and the Angels are 2-4.
The Yanks were swept by Tampa Bay and then swept the lowly Baltimore Orioles. Despite the sweep of the Birds, the Yankees were terrible hitting with runners in scoring position. This seems to be a carryover from last year's playoff series against Detroit and was evident against the Rays. One would seem to think that this will turn around however the concern with an aging lineup is whether or not players are in the beginning of a career downward spiral.
An interesting subplot to today's game is how Hiroki Kuroda will settle in pitching in the Bronx Bandbox. The Angels have plenty of offensive firepower so Kuroda will have to be on his game. The Angels will counter with Ervin Santana who has had mixed results against the Yankees. Last season Santana was 0-2 against the Yankees with an ERA over 5. Hopefully, the Yanks can keep that trend going.
Season home openers are always exciting but there is no place like opening day at Yankee Stadium. Hopefully, the boys in pinstripes can kick it off with a win.
My Plan For The 2012-13 Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leaf organization enters into one of the most important off seasons during the Brian Burke era with considerable pressure mounting as a result of the team missing the playoffs for the 7th straight year. There are moves that the Leafs can make which I think will help this team move forward and get to the ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup. Let me be clear, I'm not predicting that the Leafs are going to win the Stanley Cup next year. Nor am I saying that this team is definitely going to make the playoffs next year. What I'm saying is that with the right moves this team will not go into the nearly two month funk that cost them a playoff spot. A big reason for that is the style of play that Coach Randy Carlyle will demand next year.
From where I'm sitting the Maple Leafs need to acquire a goaltender, a number one center/big body forwards and a shutdown defensman. In my opinion, the number one priority is getting a goaltender. Yesterday at his press conference, Brian Burke indicated that he would not part with his first round pick (which is 5th overall) to acquire a Jonathan Bernier or a Anders Lindback. I agree with that because neither of them has a proven body of work. The Leafs need a proven goalie to push James Reimer and possibly carry the load. I agree with Burke that Reimer can be a number one goalie. It is apparent that the injury the young netminder suffered in Montreal on October 22 impacted his play for the rest of the season. The Leafs cannot roll the dice with Reimer and another young goalie, whether that's Bernier, Lindback or Ben Scrivens. Based on what Burke said, it is possible that the Leafs could make a trade with a team that has two capable NHL goalies. St. Louis is a possibility as it would seem that the Blues could acquire some help by moving either Brian Elliott or Jaroslav Halak. Chicago could be another possible trade partner as the Black Hawks just signed Ray Emery and might be willing to move Corey Crawford. Another possibility could be someone like Dan Ellis of Anaheim who Randy Carlyle would know something about and I would imagine would not cost the Leafs that much in a trade. While Burke dismissed free agency, one has to wonder if it wouldn't make sense to sign a Tomas Vokoun to a one year deal or someone like a Marty Biron.
The issue of getting a number one center is not easy nor do I think that it is a top priority. The Leafs have to commit to Joe Colborne. Colborne is big and needs in the off season to bulk up a little more. I would start him in training camp with Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul. It is more important to get some big bodies up front. Someone like a Brandon Prust or even Jarret Stoll who had 165 hits. Would Dallas be willing to part with an Eric Nystrom?? The Leafs need to get a couple of players like that to give the team more grit and still have the ability to contribute offensively. Stoll is an interesting possibility since his history shows that he can score between 15-20 goals. This past season was his worst as a pro but maybe a change in scenery will help. The other thing with Stoll is that he is making $3.6 million a year. This would be a perfect opportunity to swap a big contract, like a Matthew Lombardi, and get a player who is more physical. The only Leaf forward to have more hits than Stoll was David Steckel.
On defense, the Leafs need to make some decisions about Cody Franson and Mike Komisarek. These two were moved in and out of the press box all season. In my opinion, Komisarek needs to go. He has a modified no trade clause, which means that he can supply the Leafs with a list of teams he would be willing to go to in a trade. The Leafs would have to take salary back but it would be worth it to them to move him. I have tried to give Komisarek the benefit of the doubt but it is apparent to me that he needs a change of scenery. The play that sticks in my mind was the last game in Buffalo where he lost his head going after Markus Foligno that resulted in a Sabres goal. For a veteran that's inexcusable.
Franson is an RFA and has some trade value. But if anyone could get Franson to play with more of a physical edge it would be Carlyle and Assistant Coach Dave Farrish. Another guy who can benefit from their instruction is Luke Schenn. Carlyle's disclosure yesterday about how Francois Beauchemin's confidence was completely shot when he came back to the Anaheim Ducks in the Jake Gardiner trade was compelling and may explain how Schenn's game has plumetted since his rookie year. The Leafs need to decide whether Schenn can be made into a solid stay at home defenseman. I really believe that Ron Wilson wanted Schenn to be something he is not: a defenseman who is going to join the rush and create scoring chances. That's not Schenn's game and in his rookie season he wasn't expected to do that.
The Leafs also need to determine who from the Toronto Marlies will be able to contribute next season. Darren Dreger has said that he believes that Korbian Holzer is ready to make the jump to the NHL. If that is the case, the Leafs could move a Komisarek or Franson to try to get bigger upfront. Matt Frattin needs to be with the Leafs all season next year. He's physical and he has offensive ability. In my opinion, the Leafs number one trade asset is Nazem Kadri. As I mentioned in yeaterday's Tuesdays Thoughts, I don't see Kadri fitting in with Coach Carlyle's style of play. He doesn't excel in a defensive style of play and he doesn't believe that its necessary based upon an article in the Toronto Star earlier this week. Maybe Kadri is the type of chip that would be necessary to get a top goalie along with a young goalie like Ben Scrivens. If the Leafs keep Kadri then they need to play him.
If its possible Burke needs to try to move Komisarek, Lombardi, and Colby Armstrong. It would be great if he could also get rid of Tim Connolly but that might be wishful thinking. The Leafs may have to take back salary unless they're dealing with a team that needs to get up to the salary cap floor. But taking back salary would not be a bad thing if you can get someone in return who is going to provide veteran leadership and a physical presence because the players that I have listed have not been able to supply the Leafs with neither.
None of what I'm suggesting will be easy but it is apparent that Leaf management team knows that it is crunch time. They need to score big this off season. Despite the naysayers, I believe with acquiring a proven NHL goalie and getting bigger up front, the Leafs could be a playoff team next year with Carlyle behind the bench. We will have several months to see how this all plays out.
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Tuesday’s Thoughts
While wondering what I would be doing right now if the Leafs were getting ready for the playoffs, here is what's on my mind this morning:
* Ivan Nova silenced his critics by pitching a gutty game last night going 7 innings and only allowing 2 runs. Full marks to the kid for showing a lot of heart and not backing down. That has been his trademark throughout his young career.
* It was nice for the New York Yankees to get that first win under their belts as they defeated the Baltimore Orioles 6-2. However, this game should have been a blow out as the Yankees continued a disturbing trend of not being able to drive in runs. Twice they had the bases loaded with one out only to end the inning with a double play. They left 10 men on base last night.
* Robert Andino, Orioles infielder, is a punk. Last night, he got into a screaming match with Russell Martin at the end of the Orioles loss. Apparently, Martin felt that Andino was tipping Oriole hitters with signs while Mariano Rivera was pitching in the ninth inning. With Andino and Buck Showalter involved I wouldn't put it past them. Martin doesn't take any crap and that's why I love the guy.
* The Orioles have a couple of nice players, particularly Adam Jones & Matt Wieters. But their young pitchers need a lot of seasoning.
* Last night, Michael "Beavis" Kay was extolling the virtues of former Yankee Hector Noesi who was involved in the Jesus Montero-Michael Pineda trade. Beavis said that some baseball people told him that Noesi was hitting 96-98 mph with his fast ball during spring training. Well, Noesi pitched last night for the Mariners. His line score: 3IP, 6H, 7ER, 3BB, 3K. I liked Noesi but never saw him as a top starter. Go talk to your baseball people Beavis!
* Can't wait to hear Randy Carlyle & Brian Burke's press conferences today. I think Burkie may be a bit more humble in light of Larry Tannenbaum's apology letter to Leaf fans for a disappointing season.
* Read an article about Nazem Kadri which confirms my thoughts that the Leafs should trade him. Toronto Marlies coach Dallas Eakins sat Kadri because he gave away the puck on numerous occasions during the first period of a game. Instead of acknowledging his shortcomings, Kadri basically defended his play by saying his job is to make things happen. Really??? If Phil Kessel said that he would be run out of town.
* Nearly went through the roof hearing some caller on Toronto radio saying Edmonton is farther ahead of the Leafs because of the high first round picks they have on the team. Really??? Their defense sucks and their goaltending??? Please.
*The Buffalo print media is all over Darcy Reiger and Lindy Ruff. Derek Roy complained about Ruff singling out players in the media. As long as Reiger is GM, Ruff will stay on as the head coach. But Roy could be gone. Or at least he should be gone. In my opinion, all 3 should be gone.
* The whole Bobby Petrino story is another example of college football coaches gone wild. He hires his 25 year old mistress to be on the football staff??? Being a college football coach is the best job in the world. You make gobs of money, are worshipped in some small or medium sized college town and you get paid for all kinds of endorsements. All of this and you are for the most part bullet proof. Sad commentary on the NCAA but what do you expect.
* And finally, old Beavis Kay is a pretty sensitive guy. Last night on Twitter, I criticized him for being a self-promoter. He went wild which resulted in a flurry of tweets from many tweeps. As a result, Beavis has now blocked me from following him. I am truly saddened. Too bad I can't block him from the Yankee broadcasts. Most fans love their home team's play-by-play guy. Unfortunately for many of us Yankee fans that is not the case. Beavis couldn't tie Frank Messer's shoes. If it wasn't for the Yankees, Beavis would be buried somewhere in Paducah, Kentucky doing sports updates. Kind of like Jeremy White.
NHL First Round Predictions
The first round of the National Hockey League playoffs begins Wednesday night and here are my fearless first round predictions:
Ottawa Senators (8) vs NY Rangers (1): The Rangers have had an outstanding season this year but have had trouble with the Senators. Ottawa has been one of the biggest turnaround stories of the year however at one point they were in 6th place in the Conference and hung on to finish 8th. Henrik Lundqvist is the difference. New York in 6.
Washington Capitals (7) vs Boston Bruins (2): The defending Stanley Cup Champions have hit some bumps in the road but still managed to be the number two seed in the Eastern Conference by winning the Northeast Division. (Philly and Pittsburgh actually had more points) Tim Thomas has not played the way he did last year and that could be a problem for the Bruins. The Capitals may be turning it around at the right time however their goaltending is suspect. This series is going to go as the goaltending goes. I'll take the Bruins in 5.
New Jersey Devils (6) vs Florida Panthers (3): The Panthers return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs as the Southeast Division Champs. The Devils have had a great season and should win this series. New Jersey in 6.
Philadelphia Flyers (5) vs Pittsburgh Penguins (4): This may end up being the best series of the entire playoffs. Both of these teams have over 100 points and make a good argument to seed for the playoffs based on points without giving the division champs the automatic top three seeds. These teams hate each other. This is going to be a war and is a tough one to call. I'm leaning to Pittsburgh in 7.
Los Angeles Kings (8) vs Vancouver Canucks (1): The Kings only chance is if Jonathan Quick can steal a couple of games. It's possible but the Canucks would seem to be poised to advance into the second round. Canucks in 5.
San Jose Sharks (7) vs St. Louis Blues (2): Well, things certainly do change. Who would have thought several years ago that the Blues would have home-ice advantage in a playoff series against the Sharks. Coach Ken Hitchcock has done a tremendous job with St. Louis and his team swept the Sharks in the regular season. St. Louis in 6.
Chicago Black Hawks (6) vs Phoenix Coyotes (3): The key to this series will be Mike Smith. He has had a great season and gives the Coyotes the edge in goal. They will need that edge because the Hawks have plenty of offensive firepower. This is a tough one to call. Chicago in 7.
Detroit Red Wings (5) vs Nashville Predators (4): This will be the most interesting series in the Western Conference. I like the way the Predators play and give their organization full marks for building a team that is very competitive in the tough Central Division. They are going up against the Red Wings who are playoff tested. It's hard to pick against the Wings. Detroit in 6.
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Tomorrow is Tuesday's Thoughts and Wednesday what the Leafs need to do for the 2012-2013 season.
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