NHL Playoffs

The NHL playoffs are underway. The Minnesota Wild are not involved, unfortunately. I love watching the playoffs because of the intensity and pace. Players will play under any conditions and do whatever it takes to win. Last year, Duncan Keith lost 6 teeth from taking a puck to the face, and still played. On Saturday, Johan Franzen received 21 stitches to the face and stayed in the game. I love it. Here's who I'm hoping wins the Stanley Cup or goes far:

- Washington Capitals. Love Alexander Ovechkin

- Philadelphia Flyers. Mike Richards is a great captain and always liked the Fly Guys

- Los Angeles Kings. Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty are awesome players, even if Kopitar is hurt they are just a fun team to watch.

NHL Playoffs without Minnesota Wild

The NHL Playoffs are pretty exciting as of late even with out the Minnesota Wild. I am thoroughly enjoying the Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins series especially with all the trash talk between sid the kid and ovie. I am also reveling at the strength of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in the NHL Playoffs year after year. The Ducks are the 8th seed, but have been playing more like a top seed using their physical aggressive style of play to their full advantage.

I have to admit I am bummed that the Wild aren’t in the playoff mix, but it’s a good group of teams this season and frankly I don’t think the Wild had what it takes to be competing at this level any way. Not this year. Maybe next.

Matt Cooke a Washington Capital?

It is hard to believe but the hockey player that I hate the most has been traded from the Western Conference Vancouver Canucks to the Eastern Conference Washington Capitals. For years, every time the Wild played the Canucks, I was on the edge of my seat waiting for Matt Cooke to get drilled by Todd Fedoruk or Derek Boogaard. Now, the #1 instigator in the NHL is in the Eastern Conference where the Minnesota Wild will seldom see him. I am sure that fans of the Boston Bruins, New York Rangers and Islanders will soon feel like I do about Matt Cooke. He Sucks!