Dear beloved Blackhawks...

( Cut for R-rated nature of language in the following rant )

ETA: Stunned by the current turn of events, but still not overly hopeful. If any Dallas fans want to add their own rants in comments, feel free.

Dear beloved Blackhawks...

( Cut for R-rated nature of language in the following rant )

ETA: Stunned by the current turn of events, but still not overly hopeful. If any Dallas fans want to add their own rants in comments, feel free.

The NHL Playoff Picture - Round 1

Here's who I'm rooting for in the first round

EAST
(1) Washington Capitals v. (8) New York Rangers - Neither. We'll probably get fed these two a lot, so hopefully it'll be a good series
(2) Philadelphia Flyers v. (7) Buffalo Sabres - Buffalo. No contest.
(3) Boston Bruins v. (6) Montreal Canadiens - This is going to be an unbelievable series, but I will always pull for Boston until they break my heart.
(4) Pittsburgh Penguins v. (5) Tampa Bay Lightning - I am predicting a Tampa Bay v. Detroit final. And I have a soft spot for both Eric Brewer & Stevie Y, so Tampa Bay.

WEST
(4) Anaheim Ducks v. (5) Nashville Predators - This is probably the most difficult choice, but the Ducks are closer to a Norris Division team than Nashville (they are like Blues West), so I'm going to root for Anaheim, but I hope it goes 7 games regardless.
(3) Detroit Red Wings v. (6) Phoenix Coyotes - Phoenix is one of my two "most-likeable" teams in the NHL (along with Columbus) - there's nobody on that squad that annoys me. I'll root for Phoenix, but I definitely won't be surprised when Detroit takes them.
(2) San Jose Sharks v. (7) Los Angeles Kings - Yeah, I'm going to root for the team from the city where I lived for 7 years. And I cannot stand the Sharks, they are Phoenix's polar opposite.
(1) Vancouver Canucks v. (8) Chicago Blackhawks - Hi. I'm Cat. Have you read my LJ? Much as I'd love to maximize the time with my beloved team, I'd love to see Vancouver out in four straight.

So, that's it. Playoffs start Wednesday.

The NHL Playoff Picture - Round 1

Here's who I'm rooting for in the first round

EAST
(1) Washington Capitals v. (8) New York Rangers - Neither. We'll probably get fed these two a lot, so hopefully it'll be a good series
(2) Philadelphia Flyers v. (7) Buffalo Sabres - Buffalo. No contest.
(3) Boston Bruins v. (6) Montreal Canadiens - This is going to be an unbelievable series, but I will always pull for Boston until they break my heart.
(4) Pittsburgh Penguins v. (5) Tampa Bay Lightning - I am predicting a Tampa Bay v. Detroit final. And I have a soft spot for both Eric Brewer & Stevie Y, so Tampa Bay.

WEST
(4) Anaheim Ducks v. (5) Nashville Predators - This is probably the most difficult choice, but the Ducks are closer to a Norris Division team than Nashville (they are like Blues West), so I'm going to root for Anaheim, but I hope it goes 7 games regardless.
(3) Detroit Red Wings v. (6) Phoenix Coyotes - Phoenix is one of my two "most-likeable" teams in the NHL (along with Columbus) - there's nobody on that squad that annoys me. I'll root for Phoenix, but I definitely won't be surprised when Detroit takes them.
(2) San Jose Sharks v. (7) Los Angeles Kings - Yeah, I'm going to root for the team from the city where I lived for 7 years. And I cannot stand the Sharks, they are Phoenix's polar opposite.
(1) Vancouver Canucks v. (8) Chicago Blackhawks - Hi. I'm Cat. Have you read my LJ? Much as I'd love to maximize the time with my beloved team, I'd love to see Vancouver out in four straight.

So, that's it. Playoffs start Wednesday.