NHL ramps up for the Playoffs!

Lord Stanley's Cup awaits this years Hockey Champion. (Courtesy NHL.com)

It's that time of year again! March Madness is over, Baseball has started its season but Hockey is just kicking into gear. All eyes will be on the NHL for the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs! Here are the updated playoff predictions.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

(1) Washington Capitals Vs. (8) Montreal Canadiens

With the Capitals clinching not only their division and the Eastern Conference but the President's Trophy for Best Record in the Regular Season (and also home-ice in the playoffs), they really look like the team to beat. After tripping up in Game 1 and righting the ship in Game 2, the Caps look to be in control of this series. I see them winning and moving on to play Boston, Pittsburgh or the Flyers.

Prediction: Caps in 5.

(2) New Jersey Devils Vs. (7) Philadelphia Flyers

The Devils were manhandled during the season by the Flyers, only managing one win. This series will be determined if the Devils can tie it. If not, I see the Flyers on their way to a matchup with the Caps.

Prediction: Devils in 7.

(3) Buffalo Sabres Vs. (6) Boston Bruins

Buffalo, we have a problem. Down two games to one, the Sabres are without Vanek, their leading scorer. The Bruins are bigger and playing better hockey than the Sabres. Unless Vanek returns and Miller can stand on his head for three games, they're toast.

Prediction: Bruins in 6.

(4) Pittsburgh Penguins Vs. (5) Ottawa Senators

The Pens tripped up in game one but have turned on the jets beating the Senators 4-2 in their last two games. I don't see Ottawa returning in this series.

Prediction: Pens in 5.

Lookout for: The Washington Capitals. A team on a mission and thirsts for the Stanley Cup.

Team on the decline: Buffalo Sabres. True they won their division but now are down 2-1 in their series with a pesky Boston team. Hit the Panic Button now Buffalo!

WESTERN CONFERENCE

(1) San Jose Sharks Vs. (8) Colorado Avalanche

The Sharks missed out on their second straight President's Trophy but still won the top seed in the West. But now down two games to one thanks in large part to team error, the Sharks are in trouble of getting ousted yet again in round one. If this happens, the Sharks need to fire the GM. Someone needs to be held accountable and they've already fired coaches more than 4 times.

Prediction: Avalanche in 6.

(2) Chicago Blackhawks Vs. (7) Nashville Predators

The Blackhawks look to take control of this series as the 1-1 tie gets broken tonight. I think Chicago has suspect goaltending but won't lose to the Predators.

Prediction: Blackhawks in 6.

(3) Vancouver Canucks Vs. (6) Los Angeles Kings

The Canucks wrapped up their division over Colorado and now are down two games to one with Roberto Luongo getting chased out of net in game 3. Very troubling and with Luongo in doubt, I see the Kings victorious.

Prediction: Kings in 6.

(4) Phoenix Coyotes Vs. (5) Detroit Red Wings

The Coyotes, owned by the NHL, have surprised everyone with their play this season. At one point, they gave away free tickets to everyone in the crowd to their next game if they won. What helped them win over and build a fanbase, the Coyotes take it to the playoffs in hopes of keeping their dream season alive. The Red Wings have once again caught fire at the right time. However, Howard is showing his rust and now is not a good time for that. If Phoenix wins game 4, the series is over.

Prediction: Phoenix in 6.

Lookout for: Phoenix Coyotes and L.A. Kings. Both young, these teams are catching fire at the right time and are playing out of their minds.

Team on the decline: Detroit Red Wings. Suspect goaltending and aging players are putting them in an early hole. A loss in Game 4 and they are good as gone.

NHL Semi-Final Predictions:

EAST

(1) Washington Capitals Vs. (6) Boston Bruins

(2) New Jersey Devils Vs. (4) Pittsburgh Penguins

WEST

(2) Chicago Blackhawks Vs. (8) Colorado Avalanche

(4) Phoenix Coyotes Vs. (6) L.A. Kings

Why Duke was more lucky than good

Devil in a Blue Dress?

One of the weaker of the 4 Duke teams to claim the National Title, the Blue Devils relied on help from the NCAA Committee and a little luck (Courtesy CoachK.com)

Finally. The NCAA Mens Basketball season is over. After a crazy NCAA Tournament, the Duke Blue Devils came out of the rubble victorious and National Champs. But did Duke really deserve to win? Did they play the best out of every single team in the tournament? The answer to those are yes they deserved to win but no they did not play the best out of everyone. Before all the Duke fans chastise me let's look at the facts.

1. Duke won the ACC regular season and tournament title so the #1 seed was deserving. BUT putting them in the easiest bracket? I think someone on the committee wanted Duke to have the easy path so they could potentially play Kentucky, one of the best rivalries in the history of college basketball. Too bad that blew up in their faces when Kentucky lost to West Virginia.
   
2. Duke's road went through Arkansas Pine-Bluff, California, Purdue, Baylor, West Virginia and Butler. Not the most difficult road with the only bumps being Baylor and Butler. Meanwhile, Butler went through UTEP, Murray State, Syracuse, Kansas State, Michigan State and then Duke. That's the toughest road to the Final Four since George Mason had to go through Michigan State, North Carolina, Wichita State, UConn and Florida.
   
3. Duke was not the strongest team in the tournament. As far as ranking the #1 seeds, they were the fourth #1 seed out of the four.
   
4. Let's face it, without Kansas, Kentucky, Kansas State and Syracuse, Duke had it pretty easy getting to the Final Four.
   

Now I am not diminishing the 4th National Title in any way. The winner of that game deserved the title for the way they played. But all this "Coach K is the greatest of all time" talk is a bunch of bologna. Sure, he has 4 National Titles, but is he really the BEST all time? Wooden has 10 National Titles. Adolph Rupp has four National Titles. Roy Williams has two National Titles. All those coaches are great coaches but to say Coach K is the G.O.A.T. is ridiculous. I'd say Top 5 coach of all time but not the best that's for sure since he teaches the "School of Flop."

So who will be the top dog next season? It certaintly will not be Duke.