I've said since last summer that I expected the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins to meet up in the Stanley Cup Finals again this year, and I was hardly alone in that thinking. It's not much of a stretch considering the star power, youth and depth of both clubs... in fact, I would hardly be surprised if both teams are in the same position again next year.

Last year the Red Wings defeated the Penguins in 6 games to take the Stanley Cup... this year I think the results will be considerably different. The Red Wings have been hit with the injury bug, and hit hard. Some of their biggest players like defenceman Niklas Lidstrom, and forward Pavel Datsyuk were forced to watch from the sidelines in the Western Conference Finals. However, Detroit seems to have a bottomless pool from which they can draw talent from and plug in players to fill those voids... and again found a way to win.

The Pittsburgh Penguins look like a different team this post-season. A year older and wiser, they have used their experience to march right back to the Stanley Cup Finals, and I doubt they will be blinded by the stage they are on this year. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have been an incredible one-two punch this playoffs for the Penguins and I think they will continue to be dominant in the Finals. More than anything, I don't think Sidney Crosby will allow his club to fall this time, and will find a way for them to win.

As I stated above... Playoff Beard Prediction: Penguins in 6 games.

The playoff beards this post season have been remarkable once again. The Penguins pre-pubescent squad has been bolstered by some veteran playoff beard in Bill Guerin (who's got a beauty salt and pepper version of the Niedermayer growing), and Max Talbot once again looks like homeless man who happened to find a pair of skates. In Detroit... where shaving seems to be illegal now, Dan Cleary, and Johan Franzen are sporting Castaway style facial hair, and Henrik Zetterberg looks like the young version of Santa Claus (you know the puppet version before his beard went white)... but will his playoff beard bring gifts to all the good little fans of Detroit this season?

There is one playoff beard I've been very impressed with this playoffs, but I'm inclined to keep it to myself for the time being... I'm certain you've seen it, and it is a dark horse in the runnning for the Chuck Norris trophy this year. In the meantime... sound off. I want to hear from my fellow Beardians who you think deserves the Norris Trophy.

Enjoy the Finals everyone!

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh

Posted by captbosh at 10:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (21) | TrackBacks (0)

Well it's official folks... the Detroit Red Wings will meet the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Finals... again. The Red Wings finished off the Chicago Blackhawks this evening in 5 games defeating their opponents 2-1 overtime.

A year ago unrestricted free agent forward Marian Hossa ditched his Penguin blacks, for a one year contract and a fresh new Red Wing jersey and a quest to win a Stanley Cup with a team that he was certain would help get him there. Little did he realize that he may actually have to face off against the club he abandoned. Could there be more pressure on any single player in this series than Hossa? Captain Bosh thinks not!

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh

Posted by captbosh at 10:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Last night during the Western Conference finals Game 3, Detroit Red Wings defenceman Niklas Kronwall destroyed Chicago Blackhawks forward Martin Havlat along the boards... effectively removing him from the puck, and the remainder of the game. Kronwall was assessed a game misconduct for the hit (which I thought was overkill... actually I thought the hit was clean).

The Blackhawks held on to win Game 3, 4-3 in OT... bringing the series to 2-1 in the Wings favor. Havlat looked pretty shaken up after the hit, but did leave the ice on his own. Whether he returns or not will be a major concern for the Hawks.

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh

Posted by captbosh at 03:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

New Jersey Devils forward Bobby Holik announced yesterday that he would be retiring.

Holik calls it a career after 18 seasons in the NHL. During that span he played for the Whalers, the Devils, Rangers, Thrashers and finished his final year with the Devils again. In 1314 games Holik amassed 747 points (326 goals, 421 assists) was a +115 and collected 1421 minutes in penalties. He also helped the New Jersey Devils win the Stanley Cup twice in 1995 and again in 2000.

Bobby Holik chose to retire because he wanted to spend time with his family. An admirable decision. Good luck and congratulations on a successful career Bobby.

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh

Posted by captbosh at 03:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Round 2 made the Bosher look like a prophet... depending on your perspective I guess. You see, I called the Pens, Wings, and Hawks, to win their series in 7, 7, and 6 games respectively. Impressive no? Well it would have been had the Bruins taken care of the Carolina Hurricanes in the 5 games I provided them. Sadly, this was not to be, and Hurricane forward Scott Walker punched home the game winner late in first OT of their game 7 matchup.

The Blackhawks young guns were way too much for the Canucks, and more importantly Roberto Luongo. Luongo looked incredibly ordinary in this playoff series, allowing over 20 goals. There has been much talk in the media of late that he may have damaged his chances for being selected as a member of Team Canada for the Oympics in 2010... which would be a blow to him considering the Winter Games will be held in Vancouver.

The Red Wings and Ducks series was perhaps the best of the second round. Truly both clubs were evenly matched and it took the Wings 7 very rough games to knock off the Ducks. What is up Johan Franzen? The Wings forward is perhaps the greatest playoff performer ever. In 12 playoff games this year he has already collected 18 points (9 goals, 9 assists) and is a solid +13. He's already matched his playoff output from last year. This guy is amazing.

The Penguins and Capitals met in what was the most highly anticipated series of the playoffs which was like watching a prize fight between their two superstars. Up until the final game, Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin both put on a show. Ovechkin is like watching a real life version of NHL 93... he does that same move almost everytime... and virtually scores every time. Even when you know it's coming, he still puts the puck in the net. Sidney Crosby was able to match Ovechkin's output and also makes everyone around him better, whether it be from setting up scores, or inspiring his teammates to play harder. In the end, the Penguins finally broke through rookie Capitals goaltender Simeon Varlamov and routed their opponents 6-2.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Carolina Hurricanes

Having entered the playoffs as one of the leagues hottest clubs, the Carolina Hurricanes have continued their great play and knocked off the the first and third seeds in the Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils. There success has been backstopped by the incredible goaltending of Cam Ward.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are on a mission. Having lost in the Stanley Cup Finals just a year ago to the Detroit Red Wings, the Penguins are just four wins away from a second try for the NHL Championship.

Sometimes it takes a monumental loss for a club to learn what it really takes to win the Cup. The Penguins know what is at stake. For that matter, so do the Hurricanes as former Stanley Cup Champions. However I think it is the Penguins turn, and Sidney Crosby will continue to find a way to will his team to the Finals.

Playoff Beard Prediction: Pittsburgh Penguins in 6 games.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Detroit Red Wings vs. Chicago Blackhawks

The Blackhawks have been riding a hot streak in the playoffs and riding their young superstars Jonathan Toews, and Patrick Kane. They've received solid goaltending from their Stanley Cup Champ netminder Nikolai Khabibulin and veteran support from likes of Martin Havlat and Brian Campbell. They now face their biggest challenge of the playoffs thus far in the Detroit Red Wings.

The Red Wings are coming off a very physical 7 game series against the Ducks, but should be more than ready for the Blackhawks. As hot as the Hawks are, I don't think they have much of a chance against the Wings. As I write this Detroit has already taken a 1-0 series lead after defeating Chicago this afternoon 5-2.

The Blackhawks are about to see what a real playoff contender looks like in the Red Wings (no offense Vancouver and Calgary).

Playoff Beard Prediction: Detroit Red Wings in 5 games.

Here's a little shout out to one of my playoff beard faithful (Greg) who made a pretty cool video for the Detroit Red Wings.... Enjoy!

Enjoy the Conference Finals everyone!

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh

Posted by captbosh at 08:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

New York Rangers forward Markus Naslund has informed his club that he intends to retire from the NHL.

Naslund has one year remaining on two year $8 million contract worth $3 million. Apparently Naslund informed the Rangers of his decision to retire during his exit interview, following the Rangers first round loss to the Washington Capitals. Although the Rangers have yet to officially confirm the report from the New York Post.

Naslund recorded 46 points (24 goals, 22 assists) in 82 games with the New York Rangers this season.

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh

Posted by captbosh at 02:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)