Still lovin' the new NHL

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

So this is what the NHL wants - GOALS - and quite frankly they don't care how they come about, they just know they want them to make the game more exciting. They must have been jumping for joy when the league's poster boys for the new NHL - the Montreal Canadiens - won again; last night in Buffalo by a 6-2 count with three of their goals coming on the power play. Imagine that, the stinking Canadiens - who are a minus team when playing 5 on 5 - are the number one seed in the Eastern Conference. These punks would be chum for any of the Western Conference's top teams (save Detroit who are just as big a bunch of wusses as Montreal) were they to make it to the Cup Final.

In all too familiar fashion this year, the Maple Leafs dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to the Tampa Bay Lightning with ALL THREE of Tampa's goals coming on the power play - two of them on very questionable calls. The heartbreaking loss leaves Toronto five points out of a playoff spot - could they catch lightning in a bottle and make a run for a playoff spot, or is this just what many haters in the Toronto media pass off as a bunch of losers playing with no pressure who will tease their fans with "almost making the playoffs"? We'll hope for the best, and hope for some Hazel Karma.

The media, not wanting to acknowledge that the Leafs have an outside hope at a playoff spot - and with nothing good to fawn over with respect to the SenaTards - have moved on to speculating about what Mats Sundin will do when he becomes a free agent. A week ago, the donkeys were saying that Mats should waive his no-trade and allow the Leafs to build for the future by obtaining drafts picks - in their simple world, Mats would waive his NTC and re-sign with the Leafs on July 1st. The same donkeys who thought re-signing with the Leafs in July was a slam dunk are now floating out the theory that Mats won't be back.

Darren Dreger of TSN, a donkey is there ever was one, is following in the steps of Bob McKenzie in floating out garbage theories about what might happen (with the caveat that he doesn't know for sure - thanks champ); according to Dreger there are a few scenarios for Mats

• he signs as a free agent with another team;
  
• he tells Toronto he doesn't want to sign with them and retires;
  
• he takes the first half of the season off like Selanne and Niedermayer and comes back to the team of this choice.

Dreger doesn't know for sure, but he KNOWS Mats isn't coming back. This is particularly funny that Dreger knows Mats is coming back when it has been proven time and again that Mats doesn't divulge anything to anyone in the media. Another case of Darren the Donkey trying to be provocative.

The Leafs will resign Mats this summer - he knows this team isn't as bad as the media has made them out to be. The special teams have been awful this year and is the primary reason why they are where they are - yes, special teams are part of the game, but it is one area that can be corrected with good coaching. Sundin says he is going to think about it over the summer - the guys in the dressing room could help his decision making by closing out the season on a good run.

SATURDAY THREE PLAY
It has been a while - but I'm back at it. Tonight's suggestions:

Carolina over Tampa Bay - the Lightning didn't deserve to win last night's game; they won't get the same breaks tonight on the road against the Hurricanes. Lay $100 on the Canes - $170.

New Jersey over Montreal - the Devils are disciplined enough not to take too many penalties against the Habs - they'll win it 5 on 5. Brodeur usually saves his best for Montreal. Lay $150 on the Devils - $105

Calgary over Phoenix - the Flames dropped a tough one last night to the Ducks, so expect them to respond against the Coyotes. Lay $100 on the Flames - $105.

Colorado over Los Angeles - the Avs are starting to get their injured players back, expect them to start a late season push for the playoffs against the over-matched Kings. Lay $150 on the Avs - $230.

Dallas over Nashville - the addition of Brad Richards was huge for Dallas, expect them to keep playing well. Lay $100 on the Stars - $200.

I'm feeling a 5-0 night tonight...really.

That's it for today gang - I'll recap my time in Los Angeles in another post. Thanks for taking the time to check in. Have a great one peeps.

Hazel, here's hoping things are groovy in your world - word from the peeps are you are feeling under the weather...get well soon.

I'm Out!