Show 63: Some Random News and Poking at Sundin

Just keeping everything up to date, and also satirical when it comes to Sundin.

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Show 62: Sundin, IIHF, and Gordon Bombay

Slow summer, but I've got to keep you all interested in something, right?

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Don't Stop Believing...because sooner or later Obama will pick his VP running mate, and Sundin will pick a team or career direction (aka retirement).

Does Mats Sundin Deserve The Favre Treatment?

So who deserves more attention right now? Brett Favre or Mats Sundin? It is apparent that the spotlight of all sports combined, Favre is the front and center character that everyone is sitting on the edge of their seat waiting for. Does Sundin deserve to be considered for the same kind of attention on waiting for his decision?

The answer is an emphatic no.

Many analysts this past season seemed to build up the hype around Sundin. There were such statements regarding him as being in the best shape of his life, appears to be a younger veteran, and deceivingly younger than being of the actual age of 37. In the accomplishments category, what has he really done?

• Second longest serving captain (#1 is Joe Sakic)
• Scored at least 70 points every year aside from the shortened lockout season and his first year
• Led the Leafs in points in every year he has been with the team except 2002-03 (Alex Mogilny topped him by 7 pts.)
• First Swedish player to score 500 goals
• Holds the Leafs’ franchise records for goals with 420 and points as a Leaf with 984
• Currently tied with Jaromir Jagr for the NHL record for regular season overtime goals with 15

I think people should be MORE intrigued by Sundin and his upcoming decision. His 13 year tenure with the Maple Leafs should be heralded as a true symbol of dedication and devotion to a player’s team. Players like Sundin are very rare. It was thought that it would come down to Sundin or fellow Swede, Daniel Alfredsson, in the race to become the first European captain to win the Stanley Cup (Nik Lidstrom, of course, recently accomplished that feat).

Looking at his impact on the Maple Leafs comes in the numbers he has posted. The history of the Leafs is, of course, dated back to the origins of the National Hockey League, and which player sits atop the statistics throughout time for the Toronto Maple Leafs? The one and only Mats Sundin. These mentions should be considered when you think about what kind of decision he is making. If he were wise, and wanted to bow out gracefully or continue to play hockey, he really has only two decisions: Retire or Play for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Take a pay-cut Mats, and hold your head up high. You have accomplished a great many things, but still have plenty of time to obtain the highest honor in winning the Stanley Cup. Look to Chris Chelios for that inspiration if needed when considering age.

Keep up-to-date with the latest hockey news and information at: http://nhlhockeyrant.blogspot.com

Comments, opinions, insults, and questions: NHLhockeyrant@hotmail.com

Scotty Bowman: Rebirth of a Rivalry

Scotty Bowman accepted a position as Senior Adviser to Hockey Operations with the Chicago Blackhawks. This comes some time after the rumors swirled over a possibility that he would join the Toronto Maple Leafs' front office.

Bowman, who is 75 years old, has been a head coach with the Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins, St. Louis Blues, Montreal Canadiens, and Buffalo Sabres. In 2002, he retired from the head coaching position after leading the Red Wings to a Stanley Cup championship.

The Hawks recently acquired Christobal Huet and Brian Campbell through free agency and look to complete the full-circle of talent needed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2001-02. The last time Chicago made the playoffs before then was in 1996-97.

The connection between Bowman and the Blackhawks is no mystery. His son Stan is an Assistant General Manager in Hockey Operations. Toronto, no; Chicago, the way to go for Scotty Bowman.

With the background out of the way, the question now becomes, is this the rebirth of the famed rivalry between the Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks? Some would argue that it never went away throughout the history between these two franchises.

The Red Wings and Hawks will play their 701st game against one another in the newly begun tradition in the outdoor series 'Winter Classic'. The presence of Bowman on the bench is obviously the difference in this instance, but his being in the front office of the club should be enough of an emotional symbol for Red Wings fans to feel a rival pull. I'm sure that the television coverage of the Winter Classic in Chicago will pan plenty of shots over to Bowman who will more than likely be in attendance. The spotlight will be in his direction as much as it is, I'm sure, on the two main stars of the show, Toews and Kane.

I could be wrong, and the appreciation level of all Red Wings fans could supercede his decision to become a part of the Chicago organization. The fans in Detroit recognize him as a figure of success and energy that brought championships to the famed 'HockeyTown' and helped bring that moniker literally onto the ice. I guess that time will only tell whether the impact of Bowman siding with the enemy will pan out. If things were the way they were before the lockout in the early 90s, and Bowman decided to go with Toronto, a then divisional foe, I think the impact would be significantly greater on the fan. The Leaf and Wing rivalry is probably deeper than the Hawks and Wings rivalry. The bitterness can be tasted at times on both ends, but the Leaf and Wing combo was a bit more famed in my opinion.

What do I know. I'm just one man. So let the games begin, and Wings fans, give the rest of the hockey world something to admire: An Old Fashioned Rivarly; even though the impact of Bowman's choice isn't too direct.

Transactions and Miller's Worth to the Sabres

Not much has happened since the Free Agency deadline. Arbitrations are slow, and signings are what I'd call 'trivial'. Just to keep you up-to-date, I have all transactions since July 17th listed at the end of this post.

The biggest signing would have to be Ryan Miller, of course. Buffalo will be with a goaltender for 5-years and a backup for at least 2-years. Miller and Patrick Lalime will be the tandem for the Buffalo Sabres for the next two seasons. Ryan Miller posted 37 wins last season for the squad, and toward the end, in hopes of making the playoffs, complained of fatigue and placed the blame of losing games on his own shoulders. It is my firm belief that whether or not it was fatigue or lack of talent will be proven with Lalime filling in when these concerns come to. Miller will be given a break when needed, but if he can't rebound after, then the Sabres may have made a big mistake in signing him long term.

I'm a skeptic of Miller's performance in net. This past year, he had a great period of success, but also the defense was performing at the same time. BUT, the defense collapsed, the offense was solid the entire time, and so the next line of defense (Miller) was left to play the position of three men. He couldn't handle it. IF the defense does its job this coming season (with the addition of Craig Rivet on D), and Miller lets in some soft goals, then Darcy Regier (GM) will have made a huge mistake in signing a weakening goaltender. I say weakening because Miller was strong in 2005-06 and decent in 2006-07. Yes, I also say 'decent' in 06-07 because it was the Sabres offense that made the team the best squad in the entire league (and plus the defense was playing well throughout). I can't tell you how many times the team rebounded from 3 goal deficits to win games (I believe it was close to a dozen in that Presidents Trophy winning season), but Miller had let the team down early enough in a game that desperation hockey ensued and the best leaders came out as heroes (Drury/Briere/Vanek). Now two out of the three great leaders from THAT team are no longer in Buffalo, and so it becomes the 'core', as Regier calls it, players' responsibility to lead and lessen the load on Miller's shoulders. If they can't do it, Lalime can't support it, and Miller falters, the management will suffer criticism equal to, if not greater, than that of the events that occurred over the lack of effort in keeping Drury and Briere.

That's all just one man's opinion on this situation. I honestly think that Regier and Quinn, the management duo of failures in Buffalo, should have been canned two years ago. They are the do nothing combo that has hindered more than helped the team. The lack of activity from these two (and you could also say the lack of financial support from owner, Tom Galisano) should have seen action immediately after the loss of both Drury and Briere. That event will continually be referred back to when thinking of the GM/ownership effort in the organization. Firings should have occurred after missing the playoffs because it became CLEAR AND EVIDENT that the Sabres missed the playoffs because they needed either Drury or Briere in the lineup. Just one of them would have made a world of difference in the Sabres' season in 2007-08. Two years in a row in the Eastern Conference finals, President's Trophy winners, then miss the playoffs...two teams have done this (and went on to win the Stanley Cup the year after the miss), but no less, a strong force in the league now becomes a mediocre squad, and now signing Ryan Miller is the changing factor? It's a minimal impact. The Sabres only dumped off slow and unmotivated defenseman Dmitri Kalinin. Other than that, the team is the same (with the questionable addition of Craig Rivet on defense). Will the results change? Likely not. Expect the same results if nothing is changed more on the defense side and if Lalime doesn't perform a step above what the Sabres had in Thibault last season, and the Conklin of two seasons ago.

I'm hoping I am wrong because I love my Sabres, but I'd hate to see them out of the playoffs two years in a row after a prior two years of great success and progress. Briere and Drury will forever haunt the franchise as the worst loss in the history of the club.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Minnesota Mark Parrish RW Became Unrestricted Free Agent Contract bought out by team
Detroit Valtteri Filppula C Re-Signed Five-year contract
Carolina Drayson Bowman C Signed Three-year contract
Columbus Pascal Leclaire G Re-Signed Three-year contract

Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Minnesota Mark Parrish RW Waived Placed on waivers
Ottawa Josh Hennessy C Signed Two-year contract
Pittsburgh Dave Gove LW Re-Signed
Pittsburgh Danny Richmond D Signed One-year contract
Tampa Bay Steven Stamkos C Signed Three-year contract

Monday, July 28, 2008
Atlanta Matt Siddall RW Signed Multi-year contract
Ottawa Jeff Glass G Signed One-year contract
NY Rangers Fredrik Sjostrom RW Re-Signed
Florida Jay Bouwmeester D Re-Signed One-year contract
Boston Martin St. Pierre C Signed
Boston Nate Thompson C Signed

Saturday, July 26, 2008
Minnesota Pierre-Marc Bouchard RW Re-Signed Five-year, $20.4 million contract
Washington Shaone Morrisonn D Signed One-year contract
Boston Glen Murray RW Became Unrestricted Free Agent Contract bought out by team

Friday, July 25, 2008
Nashville Rich Peverley C Re-Signed Two-year contract
Nashville Pekka Rinne G Re-Signed One-year contract
NY Islanders Bruno Gervais D Re-Signed Three-year, $2.2225 million contract
Montreal Yanick Lehoux C Signed as Free Agent One-year contract
Columbus Mike York LW Signed as Free Agent One-year contract
Colorado Marek Svatos RW Re-Signed Two-year contract

Thursday, July 24, 2008
Buffalo Mathieu Darche LW Signed as Free Agent
Boston Martin St. Pierre C Traded for Pascal Pelletier Chicago
Chicago Pascal Pelletier LW Traded for Martin St. Pierre Boston

Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Detroit Ryan Oulahen C Re-Signed One-year contract
Detroit Darren Haydar RW Signed as Free Agent One-year contract
Vancouver Jimmy Sharrow D Re-Signed
Vancouver Zack Fitzgerald D Re-Signed
Vancouver Mike Brown RW Re-Signed
Vancouver Rick Rypien C Re-Signed
Vancouver Ryan Shannon RW Re-Signed
Vancouver Nathan McIver D Re-Signed
Boston Dennis Wideman D Contract extended Multi-year contract extension
Boston Glen Murray RW Waived Placed on waivers

Tuesday, July 22, 2008
San Jose Riley Armstrong RW Re-Signed One-year contract
San Jose Mike Morris RW Re-Signed One-year contract
San Jose Tyson Sexsmith G Signed Three-year contract
San Jose Timo Pielmeier G Signed Three-year contract
NY Rangers Hugh Jessiman RW Re-Signed
Philadelphia Kevin Marshall D Signed
Anaheim Eric Boguniecki C Signed as Free Agent One-year contract
Anaheim Troy Bodie RW Signed as Free Agent One-year contract
Anaheim Josh Green C Signed as Free Agent One-year contract
Anaheim Ryan Donally LW Signed as Free Agent Two-year contract
Phoenix Daniel Carcillo LW Re-Signed Two-year contract

Monday, July 21, 2008
Dallas Lauri Tukonen RW Traded for Richard Clune Los Angeles
Detroit Jonathan Ericsson D Re-Signed Three-year contract
Detroit Jimmy Howard G Re-Signed Three-year contract
NY Rangers Greg Moore RW Re-Signed
Pittsburgh Jonathan Filewich RW Re-Signed Two-year contract
Pittsburgh Paul Bissonnette D Re-Signed One-year contract
Pittsburgh Jeff Taffe LW Signed as Free Agent One-year contract
Los Angeles Peter Harrold D Re-Signed Three-year contract
Los Angeles Richard Clune LW Traded for Lauri Tukonen Dallas
Philadelphia Joffrey Lupul RW Contract extended Four-year contract extension
New Jersey Fedor Fedorov LW Signed as Free Agent
Chicago Corey Crawford G Re-Signed One-year contract

Sunday, July 20, 2008
Minnesota Stephane Veilleux LW Re-Signed One-year contract
Calgary Andre Roy RW Signed as Free Agent

Saturday, July 19, 2008
NY Islanders Frans Nielsen C Re-Signed Four-year, $2.1 million contract

Friday, July 18, 2008
Atlanta Angelo Esposito C Signed Three-year contract
Buffalo Ryan Miller G Contract extended Five-year contract extension
Edmonton Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers G Signed Two-year contract
Los Angeles David Meckler C Signed Three-year contract
Phoenix Garth Murray C Signed as Free Agent One-year contract

Thursday, July 17, 2008
Atlanta Brett Sterling LW Re-Signed
Atlanta Marty Reasoner C Signed as Free Agent
San Jose Matt Kinch D Signed as Free Agent One-year contract
San Jose Brett Westgarth D Signed as Free Agent One-year contract
NY Rangers Brian Fahey D Signed as Free Agent
Pittsburgh Danny Richmond D Traded for Tim Brent Chicago
Calgary Adam Pardy D Re-Signed
New Jersey Jon DiSalvatore RW Signed as Free Agent
New Jersey Chad Wiseman LW Signed as Free Agent
New Jersey Jay Leach D Signed as Free Agent
Montreal Max Pacioretty LW Signed Three-year contract
St. Louis Andy Wozniewski D Signed as Free Agent
Columbus Aaron Rome D Re-Signed One-year contract
Chicago Tim Brent C Traded for Danny Richmond Pittsburgh

Winter Classic (Part Deuce): Gone with the Windy City?

I'm going to flat out say it. I am disappointed in the league's decision to have this game in Chicago...this coming Winter "Classic". I know, I know, there's a lot of young talent on the Blackhawks, and the Red Wings are the defending Stanley Cup champions, but I honestly feel for the people in New York City. Well, the Rangers' fans I mean. I rarely give them any empathy, but this time I'll agree that the next outdoor game should be in Yankee Stadium as a commemorative send-off to the old icon. But, lest we forget that it is a baseball stadium. Then again, what better place to have a 'classic' than in the Big Apple on New Year's Day? It would have been a perfect finish for not only the stadium itself, but the celebration of the New Year in the city where the biggest party annually happens! I was very excited to see a Detroit Red Wings versus the New York Rangers match. It still follows suit with an Original Six theme. I guess I will subside my complaining and accept that this thing is going to happen, and will do so in a venue of roughly 20,000 less seats than Ralph Wilson's Stadium in Buffalo, NY. I felt that maybe Soldier Field would be a better attendance insurance, but I guess Wrigley has an unknown precedent in hosting this 'Classic'.

I keep quoting the word 'classic' for a reason. When you define the word, what kinds of definitions do you see. Let us look at one: exhibiting timeless quality.

That's my favorite definition. Well, now, timeless quality would mean something that happens sparingly and is yet memorable. Timeless. It stands out and holds a meaning in which the qualities of the event is exhibited through the timing of such an occurrence. I think I've made my point here. Alberta, Canada and Buffalo, USA were Classics. The two outdoor games emulate a timeless and rare example of going back to hockey's roots. This game in Chicago should be better defined as a classic in the sense of "A perfect and/or early example of a particular style". I'll go with the 'early example of a particular style' and call it 'taking hockey back to its roots'. So, don't expect anything 'Classic' in terms of exhibiting timeless quality, but rather an early example of how hockey began.

Thank you. That is my soap box speech for the week.

The main reason I posted this is because the blog had three visits from people using search engines seeking out tickets for the 'Winter Classic'. Funny enough, the google searches they were getting had mostly Buffalo versus Pittsburgh instead of Chicago versus Detroit. Enough said.

Show 61: Rant Man Goes to Washington

Here it is! Straight from DC, me rambling!

Had to play catchup and remind myself (and you all, of course) of what is going on in the league, so here it is!

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BTPodShow {BTPodShow-40ff595429f9195d1b66daf30bb009e3}

Two Months Later...

Sorry about the delay here, folks. Some major chances were made in my life, but guess what? I'm BAAAAAACCCCKKKKKK!!!

Coming to you now from WASHINGTON, DC! No, this does not mean I'm going to convert to being a Capitals fan. I've got a new job down here (unfortunately, it's not hockey related), and I'm ready to get this thing going again. There is SO MUCH stuff that we missed on this go around, and I guess it's safe to say that I covered the Stanley Cup Finals and the Free Agency better last year (ha ha ha...yeah). But it is, thus far, a summer for the hockey fanatics to go bonkers in terms of who went where, and who did what, and the return of the mullet. Yes, the mullet! Barry Melrose is back in the saddle again. Unbelievable! I'm so looking forward to watching him win a Stanley Cup ring this coming season (omg lol rotfl...yeah, was never good at the online short talk). That, of course, my friends, was what we call sarcasm. New ownership with lots of money being thrown everywhere (and leap frogging Jay Feaster's opinions) and getting a name coach from the old days (and the new days of ESPN), the first pick in the draft (Steve-o Stamkos), this all sounds great and all, but will it add up to an immediate Stanley Cup?

I won't answer that until the podcast.

The cliffhanger, you have to love it. Another team you can't go without talking about is the Chicago Blackhawks, so I will have all that and more in the next edition of the Hockey Rant with the Rant Man, David Stearns.



~Rant Man~

Conference Finals Podcast

Coming soon. I already had my predictions aired on television down here in Erie, and I won't change them as I bring them to you here on the podcast. So, stay tuned as the show will come your way, real soon.

~The Rant Man~

Show 60: Recap Wings/Avs and Flyers/Habs Game 1s

Post Game reaction on the first two games on Round 2. Avs/Wings and Habs/Flyers, here, on the rant! Listen on!

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Show 59: Round 1 is Done; Round 2 will be Fun

The first round is done. So here's my take on the second round that begins tonight!

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Show 58: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 Predictions

The show title says it all. The playoffs are here after the closest and most exciting finish I've ever seen. Spots weren't really solidified until the very last games of the season, so this is what we got, and this is how I think the first round will go.


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Playoff Time: Your Rant Man is Ready to ROLL!!

Well, the regular season is finished. What a finish it was. Some teams delivered at the very last minute, and some couldn't pull through. Washington in, Carolina out. Vancouver out, Nashville in. Some first-round pairings and even possible match-ups were previewed in this past Sunday's last games. Here's what we have:

Eastern Conference First-Round Pairings:
(1) Montreal vs. (8) Boston Bruins (Montreal wins season series 8-0)

(2) Pittsburgh vs. (7) Ottawa Senators (Ottawa wins season series 3-1)

(3) Washington Capitals vs. (6) Philadelphia Flyers (Tied season series 2-2)

(4) New Jersey Devils vs. (5) New York Rangers (New York Rangers wins season series 7-1)

Western Conference First-Round Pairings:
(1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (8) Nashville Predators (Detroit wins season series 5-3)

(2) San Jose Sharks vs. (7) Calgary Flames (Calgary wins season series 3-1)

(3) Minnesota Wild vs. (6) Colorado Avalanche (Minnesota wins season series 5-3)

(4) Anaheim Ducks vs. (5) Dallas Stars (Dallas wins season series 5-3)


Those season series will likely prove irrelevant and I'll explain why in the show.

The teams that didn't make the cut were finishing strong all throughout the finish in the season. When I say that, I'm really just talking about clubs like Chicago, Edmonton, and Buffalo. In the show, I'll discuss the future of those teams and how close they did in fact come to becoming sneaky like the Washington Capitals were, but fell just short.

I'll tell you all of my predictions on the first-round and give my detailed explanations. Some may be upset by the things I'm about to say, and some may be relieved. The match-up I wanted to see the most is actually about to happen and it's in the East. For those who watch my Hockey Week in Review show in Erie, PA know exactly which pairing I'm talking about, and I even mentioned it in the last blog post below this one. Hint hint, No Joke versus Never Your Reason...for those who still don't get it: NJ vs. NYR.

I should apologize to all of you for not making any new shows in the recent history of the Hockey Rant podcast. I took some vacation time to visit relatives in Baltimore, MD, and aside from that trip I have been loaded with school work as I'm about to finish up here with Graduate School. My other reason, which I kind of feel bad about is that I've been spending more time working on my Hockey Week in Review show and video podcast. I'm not ignoring you all. I'm just finding it hard to make time for everything to get done that I would like. So, feel neglected no more, the Rant Man is back for his loyal following who have helped successfully push me over the 4,000 "downloaders" mark. You guys are the best.

Stay tuned because the second season is sure to deliver some of the best action considering the regular season saw its tightest and most exciting finish in YEARS.

Talk to you all real soon!


Puckfully yours,

The Rant Man

A Factor of Five: Who'll Round Out the East?

No, I don't have a crystal ball, but I want to know before the anticipation kills me. Three games to go for most teams, and this one is reminding me of last year's run for the teams vying for the 8th spot in the Eastern Conference. This is NHL hockey at its finest.

Tonight, I watched a very physical and nail-biting game between the Buffalo Sabres and the Boston Bruins. Last night, Florida became the next team to be eliminated from the race with their loss to the Washington Capitals. How fitting, right? The question now becomes: Who will make the final push in the remaining two teams to bump into the playoffs? Two teams now remain; Washington and Buffalo. Lets draw out the situation.

1) Pittsburgh 99pts
2) Montreal 98pts
3) Carolina 90pts
4) New Jersey 93pts
5) Ottawa 92pts
6) NY Rangers 91pts
7) Boston 91pts
8) Philadelphia 91pts
-----------------------
9) Washington 88pts
10) Buffalo 86pts

In all reality, five teams are involved, and possibly six if you include Ottawa. Washington can overtake 3rd if they get 3pts and Carolina loses out in their remaining games.

Ottawa needs to lose out all of their games and Washington and Buffalo need to win out their remaining games to trump out Ottawa if one of the bottom feeders win at least one. But, that scenario is most far-fetched of them all. Ottawa would then fall out and possibly suffer the biggest fallout since being number one in the east at the midway point of the season.

Buffalo can get into the playoffs if they get 5 of their last 6 possible points. They have Toronto, Montreal, and Boston left in their remaining three games. If one point is gained by the Rangers, Boston, and Philadelphia, Buffalo must win all 6pts. Then, the fun tie-breaking scenarios would begin. If Washington were to get 90pts, Carolina drops to 9th, Buffalo would have to win still at least 5pts because 4pts and a tie-break would permit Carolina to take 8th. Confused yet?

Washington could win out and need at least one of the bottom teams to drop all their games. These are the 91pts teams.

Remaining schedules:
Buffalo - Toronto, Montreal, Boston
Boston - NJ, Ottawa, Buffalo
NYR - Pittsburgh, NYI, NYI, NJ
Ottawa - Montreal, Toronto, Boston
Philadelphia - Pittsburgh, NJ, Pittsburgh
Washington - Carolina, TB, Florida

My opinion on each team's remaining schedules:
Washington - has the easier of the six. The game that means the most will be the one against Carolina, of course. Tampa and Florida may be cake-walk, but watch the two teams play the role of upsetters, but the way Alex Ovechkin has been playing and Huet's solid performance in goal, they have a great chance.

Philadelphia - An overtime loss, followed by an overtime win, this team isn't making it any easier for Buffalo and Washington. BUT, Pittsburgh twice and a rematch against the overtime loss team from the other night with New Jersey, Philadelphia has the best chance of all the teams to lose out their last three. Pittsburgh has Philadelphia's number as of the last two games, especially the last meeting which resulted in a 7-1 Pens win. But, that one point that could be gained to bump them up a peg may come in overtime in any one of their last three games.

Ottawa - Hot and cold. You never know what you're going to get from this team any more. It depends on Gerber's style of play. He has started more than a dozen games in a row, but he's been on and off his game. This one is up in the air, but Toronto may be the most lenient of the three opponents to go up against, unless they play with passion to upset.

NYR - Pittsburgh took them out today 3-1, tomorrow may be the case, as well. Ahead of that the Islanders may be easy to overturn twice in a row. The Devils will be tough, but that's a dream playoff match-up for myself to hope for. Quality excitement right there folks.

Boston - NJ will give them a hell of a time. Ottawa will be a tight one. Buffalo, may be the game where everything is on the line for BOTH teams. It could be a game that means who is in, and who is out. Boston has either played really good, or really bad. The 4-0 win over Ottawa was nice, but will it happen again? I HIGHLY doubt it. Look for Ottawa to try and save face on a rocky season and bury the hatchet from that loss. If this team can't beat NJ or Ottawa, and Buffalo wins against Toronto and Montreal, see this Saturday match-up for intense fun meaning who will be playing the Penguins or Canadiens first round.

Buffalo - Yeah, I think I said it all in the above paragraph on what may happen. Flat out, they need to win against Toronto because a win against Montreal will be tough (looked easier last week Friday before the last few minutes where the Habs made a HUGE come back to win in OT). So, fact of the matter, win against Toronto and Boston, OTL to Montreal is the minimum need. If they lose in regulation in any one of these games, it's done. Clear as day. Washington has it easy, and Buffalo, well, they need to play like they do in adverse situations...but that was last year's team. This year's team will need divine inspiration.

The Push for the Playoffs: 6 or 7 games remain!

Stay tuned Rant Faithful!

There are 6 or 7 games left on most teams' schedules, and the race for the finish is guaranteed to be spectacular. Photo-finishes for some teams who are fighting hard for spots and some toggling in the top spots will make for what I consider some real hardcore excitement!

The show is soon to follow as the playoffs are just a couple weeks away!

Show 57: Push for the Playoffs

In this show, I just give a rundown and a scenario based perspective on how things are currently sitting in the playoff race, and who is on the outside looking in. Some of those outsiders could be coming in and taking some bottom feeder spots from those just barely hanging on. So, download it and check out where I'm just sitting on this whole situation.

Sync it up with iTunes, or just download from the link below.

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