Happy Birthday Mats!

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

Problems with blogger this morning - left work early because I feel rotten...a great day all around.

Toronto Maple Leafs Captain Mats Sundin turns 36 today and, playing some of the most inspired hockey of his career, plans to celebrate the occasion with a win over the New York Islanders tonight at the Air Canada Centre. A win tonight sets Toronto up for a good week as they have two games with Philadelphia and one with the Bruins on tap - a 4-0 run would likely be enough to get them into the top 8 in the Eastern Conference; conversely, giving up points to a team that is behind them in the standings, not to mention a team that they should beat, could signal the beginning of the end of the 2006/07 season. The glass will definitely be half-empty if they drop this one tonight.

Speaking of the glass being half-empty, the struggling Montreal Canadiens host the Florida Panthers in what Habs fans are declaring a must-win game - they're a brave lot when their team is going up against one of the league's cream puffs; but I have to agree with them this time. A loss by the Habs tonight would be devastating to a team that, only two weeks ago, thought they could challenge for the Northeast division title - either way, I still think the Habs are done for. Here's hoping the Panthers bring their A-game to the Bell Centre tonight.

The Edmonton Oilers pay a visit to the Bruins (and Hazel?) at the TD Banknorth Garden tonight - the Oilers are in playoff mode, with the thought that they have to win five of their next seven games (all on the road) - or kiss the playoffs goodbye. Edmonton will be looking to take advantage of a struggling Bruins team that hasn't won a game in regulation since early January. While Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli insists that the trade that sent Brad Stuart and Wayne Primeau to Calgary isn't a sign that the Bruins are giving up on the season - a loss tonight will pretty much have Bruins faithful thinking that it is. Phones at the Banknorth Garden could be lighting up with calls about availability of Marco Sturm and/or Glen Murray.

It looks like it is going to be a tough night for Leaf Nation, with Tampa Bay and Carolina both having pretty easy games tonight. The Lightning host the Phoenix Coyotes who officially gave up on the season yesterday when they traded Ladislav Nagy to the Dallas Stars; the Hurricanes host the Los Angeles Kings who have already won their share of roads games for the month (much to the dismay of our Three Play balance sheet).

The Colorado Avalanche may be playing their last meaningful game of the season tonight as they host Brian "the hockey god" Burke's Anaheim Ducks. I mentioned last week that I thought their season was over - I think it becomes "unofficially official" tonight...they just don't have enough to get it done this year - sad to see Joe Sakic missing the playoffs.

We'll take a pass on Hazel's Three Stars for last night's action - you'd have a better chance of seeing Hazel declare herself a New York Yankees fan than you would seeing me honour three Philadelphia Flyers in one post; and if you have read Hazel's stance on the New York Yankees, you'd know the chance of that is less than zero.

TUESDAY THREE PLAY
We finished last week at 7-4 and still wound up in the red - thanks to the Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings thinking that they were NHL teams. The upset wins was the difference between being in the black for the whole year - and where we stand now $1,130 in the red. We'll get it back this week as the NHL gets back to what it should be - road wimps being pounded by good home teams.


Tampa Bay over Phoenix - The Lightning are one of the hottest teams in the league right now, and you can bet they won't be letting up on the likes of the Coyotes, who have been told by management that the season is over. Tampa gets it done in a romp tonight - lay $100 on the Lightning at - $200.

Carolina over Los Angeles - They haven't been playing like defending Stanley Cup champs this season - but you shouldn't have to be to beat the Kings. As much as I would love to see a Canes' loss tonight - they know that they a loss could have them on the outside looking in tomorrow morning. Lay $100 on the Hurricanes - $200.

Calgary over Atlanta - the Flames will be bolstered by their two new acquisitions, while the Thrashers look like they just want to get back home in the midst of this long and tough road trip. Expect the Flames to get it done tonight after losing a heartbreaker to Buffalo last weekend. Lay $75 on the Flames - $200.

That's it for today gang - blame blogger for the late post. Have a great one peeps.

KEEPING HAZEL UP ON WHAT'S WHAT IN TORONTO

True Blue Maple Leaf - Mats

Mats isnt giving up & isnt looking for favours

Next six could determine Leafs playoff fate

Leafs being cautious with Johnny Pohl

Size matters for the Maple Leafs

Leafs prospect Tlusty picking up his game

Questions a plenty regarding Blue Jays

HAZEL'S TUESDAY HOROSCOPE
Your ability to think beyond the realm of most people will give you an edge today. Your competitive drive will enable you to get things going. Don't allow someone with less vision to cramp your style. Anger will only deter you from accomplishing your goals. 2 stars

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world.

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps - my message to some of the peeps in the yahoo group


Jerk It Out - The Caesars
Wind me up put me down
Start me off and watch me go
I'll be running circles around you sooner than you know
A little off center and i'm out of tune
Just kickin this can along the avenue
But i'm alright

Coz it's easy once you know how it's done
You can't stop now
It's already begun
You feel it
Running through your bones

And you jerk it out
Jerk it out

Shut up, hush your mouth
Can't you hear you talk to loud?
No I can't hear nothing 'cause I got my head up in the clouds
I bite off anything that I can chew
I'm chasing cars up and down the avenue
But that's ok

Coz it's easy once you know how it's done
You can't stop now
It's already begun
You feel it
Running through your bones

So you jerk it out
Jerk it out

Peesth Out...Buh Bye