"Must Win" Time - At Home & Abroad

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

Well, its a must win day/night on two fronts - obviously I am speaking about the Maple Leafs tonight against Buffalo, but also for Portugal in the Euro 2008 qualifier going this afternoon in Lisbon.

First things first - Toronto blew up last night after dominating the Sabres for 45 minutes, blowing a 4-1 third period lead and losing 5-4 in regulation; the point Leafs Nation were hoping for went down the drain on a terrible dump in by Toronto defenceman Ian White. I don't know what to say about last night, for 45 minutes, the Leafs dominated the Sabres - out shooting, out hitting, out chancing and out playing them - the one part of the game that killed Toronto last night was what has been ailing them all year...penalty killing. The Sabres took advantage scoring two power play goals and adding a third goal two seconds after a Toronto penalty had expired.

I know this is going to sound like Leafs Nation whining - but Toronto got jobbed again last night. Daniel Briere's goal in the third came less that 15 seconds after he delivered an over hand slash that broke Pavel Kubina's stick - with a referee standing 10 feet away and the puck between Kubina and Briere, the referree missed the call. This has become common place in the new NHL - the refs are the embodiment of the Three Blind Mice (four actually). Once again the refs ignore a blatant high stick, this time Jochen Hecht rakes his stick across Hal Gill's face and no call.

Sabres Coach Lindy Ruff, a former player, had a tag line put on him - "Ruff" at home and "Lindy" on the road...Leafs Nation hopes this holds true for his team tonight in what is a must win for Toronto at the ACC. A loss tonight and Toronto will be joining the Bruins in watching the playoffs this year.

In a game that we think is just as important - though we know, not to anyone else reading the page - Portugal hosts Belgium tonight in Euro 2008 qualifier. Portugal has had a tough go of things in the first four games, going 2-1-1; Portugal goes into today's action sitting in fourth place, four points behind Finland (with a game in hand). Belgium today and Serbia next week in Belgrade - its time for Cristiano Ronaldo to show everyone why he is one of the best players on the planet. Forca Quinas!

After last night's loss - we can't bring ourselves to point out Hazel's Three Stars...sorry.


SATURDAY THREE PLAY
The balance sheet for the week stands at a respectable + $460 - we like the following three games tonight.

Minnesota over LA Kings - the Wild are peaking at the right time, they have been lights out at home all year, but the way they are going now is just plain sick. Lay $100 on the Wild - $330.

Montreal over Washington - I hate picking the Habs to win...but the Caps are playing out the string; expect more than a few calls to go the home town team's way. Lay $75 on the Habs - $260.

Nashville over Edmonton - the Oilers finally won last night in a shootout, while that was unexpected, what can be expected is that they won't win two in a row...especially against a Nashville team that desperately needs a road win. Lay $100 on the Predators - $300.

That's about it for today gang. Have a great one peeps.

No links to keep Hazel up on what's what in Toronto - its all bad news and its editor's choice here.

HAZEL'S SATURDAY HOROSCOPE
You should be traveling or getting involved in something that will be a learning experience for you. It may be time to round up some of the people you have known in the past and bring them together to work on a new idea or project. 4 stars

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world - I hear its been a bit of a tumultous week for you; hang in there kid.

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps - with the emphasis placed on "hazelspeeps", I hope some of you are reading today's post.


Precious - Depeche Mode



Precious and fragile things

Need special handling

My God what have we done to You?



We always try to share

The tenderest of care

Now look what we have put You through...



Things get damaged

Things get broken

I thought we'd manage

But words left unspoken

Left us so brittle

There was so little left to give



Angels with silver wings

Shouldn't know suffering

I wish I could take the pain for You



If God has a master plan

That only He understands

I hope it's Your eyes He's seeing through



Things get damaged

Things get broken

I thought we'd manage

But words left unspoken

Left us so brittle

There was so little left to give



I pray You learn to trust

Have faith in both of us

And keep room in Your hearts for two



Things get damaged

Things get broken

I thought we'd manage

But words left unspoken

Left us so brittle

There was so little left to give


Peesth Out...Buh Bye!