The Quest For The Stanley Cup Starts Tonight

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

The NHL Playoffs start tonight - with three games going in the Western Conference, and Sidney Crosby and the Penguins coming to town to take on the SenaTards. Yes, I know I said it was baseball season - but come on, we have to at least mention tonight's games; the Leafs may not be in the playoffs, but we won't rest comfortably until the SenaTards and Devils are both out of the playoffs. We made our series picks last night - check them out after this post. I guess we are throwing our support to Joe Thornton and the San Jose Sharks this year - we like Joe.

I won't bore you with the garbage the Canadian hockey media is putting out about the SenaTards - they are pinning their hopes on this cast of losers to represent Canada in the playoffs this year, as most are picking Calgary and Vancouver to be first round losers. The old saying applies with the SenaTards:

Fool me once, shame on you
Fool me twice, shame on me
Fool me five times, then I'm an idiot (or Damien Cox if you prefer).

Was it Hazel Karma at Fenway yesterday? We are speculating, since we didn't see the game - but something was up, another good game from Josh Beckett (albeit against another weak hitting lineup) and eight of the starting nine getting at least a hit - Jeezus, J.D Drew even hit a home run - maybe Epstein was right in giving him that $70M huh? Nah. Nice way to open the 2007 season at home - though going up against Felix Hernadez tonight may be a bit of a different story.

Hazel's old team (is she still a Jays fan or a member of Red Sox Nation?) took it on the chin last night - as we expected. The Blue Jays broke camp talking about how this was going to be the year that Josh Towers finally got his act together and proved he belonged in the major leagues - I wasn't buying it two weeks ago, and I'm still not buying it. Here is the thing - the love the fact that he throws strikes and doesn't walk anyone, fine; but sometimes you have to be conveniently wild or hitters dig in and start hitting you all over the field. Towers didn't walk anyone last night - but he gave up 10 hits, unacceptable. Towers doesn't make it to the all-star break.

Normally, I'd be down with crapping all over the Yankees - but the problem is that the yahoo auto draft gave me Alex Rodriguez in the Hazelspeeps Fantasy Baseball Pool, and as much as I like crapping on him...I want to beat Renee more; so I'm biting my tongue for a while.

Red Sox West are off to a good start, not great - but good; they won last night after dropping their home opener to the Rockies on Monday; still thinking about a Red Sox/Dodgers World Series. I like our chances of being at the dance - not sure what to make of Boston yet.


HAZEL'S THREE STARS
Manchester United Winger Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals and set up two others yesterday, and was the driving force in the Red Devils 7-1 pasting of AS Roma at Old Trafford. I know most of you don't like soccer, but check out Ronaldo on youtube - the guy would be worth the price of admission. He is without a doubt, the best player on the planet right now - think of it, there are over 200 countries that claim soccer as one of their major sports...the best player in the world comes from a little island off the coast of Portugal.

Boston Red Sox C Jason Varitek went 3 for 4 and drove in 3 runs in Boston's win over the Mariners at Fenway yesterday - Varitek had a tough year last year and was coming off a very tough spring this year, raising questions about whether or not he could still get it done. He called a great game behind the plate and contributed with the bat - that trumps Beckett's performance.

Red Sox West SP Brett Tomko was very sharp in his first start of the season last night, shutting the Rockies out over six innings - allowing one hit, three walks and striking out nine. Tomko didn't get the win, but he deserved it.


WEDNESDAY THREE PLAY
We went 3-0 last night, erasing Monday's number. Three afternoon pics today - back with three more before 6 PM. We are going with starting pitchers from Maeple Leafs in the first two games

St. Louis over Pittsburgh - we like Adam Wainwright today against the Pirates. Lay $100 on the Cards - $134.

Chicago over Houston - Rich Hill sets things right in Chicago today with a win over the Astros. Lay $100 on the Cubs - $175.

Atlanta over Washington - we'll go with Chuck James today. Lay $100 on the Braves - $240.

That's it for this morning gang - have a great one peeps.

HAZEL'S WEDNESDAY HOROSCOPE
A little fun mixed with a little knowledge can help determine what you will do next. Attending a conference, tradeshow or getting together with people involved in activities that interest you will be eye-opening. Deal with an emotional matter quickly. 2 stars

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps - with the NHL Playoffs starting, a song we never get tired of.

Three Cheers for Ottawa - Fan 590

Peesth Out...Buh Bye!