A few here-and-there thoughts as we eagerly await the start of the conference finals tomorrow.
First, in case you didn't see it in the paper or at www.northjersey.com/sports, here's my For The Record in today's edition regarding the frustrations of trying to follow the NHL playoffs now that I'm not in the arenas.
Second, regarding the conference finals, I'll take the Penguins over the Hurricanes in seven and the Red Wings over the Blackhawks in five (experience, experience, experience). Interesting that three-fourths of the final four have coaches that did not start the season with their teams - Chicago's Joel Quenneville, Carolina's Paul Maurice and Pittsburgh's Dan Bylsma. Also, I'm sure the 'Canes-Pens series will be tough on Rangers defenseman Marc Staal since his brother Eric (Carolina) will be facing younger brother Jordan (Pittsburgh). Marc Staal often talks about how miserable his parents are when their loyalties have to be divided like that. I'm sure Marc will be going through the same thing.
And not to toot my own horn, but I'll point out that in my playoff predictions, I had Penguins over Hurricanes in seven in the conference finals and Carolina's Cam Ward as the goalie to watch. We won't, however, be talking about my Western Conference picks, where I had San Jose over Vancouver in five in the conference finals.
Somewhat off the topic, had the chance this week to see the city's two new ballparks, covering the Mets Wednesday and last night's Yankees' game. Quick impression: At least when I was at Yankee Stadium last night, I knew I was watching a Yankee game. The Stadium is a little too busy with all the stuff flashing at you and the crowd noise is not overwhelming like it was at the old Stadium, probably cause it seemed like the fans were further away from the field. The expensive seats are ridiculous in how they're set apart from the rest of the Stadium with security making sure nobody makes a dash for it, or bothers the high-end clientele. That's just not what baseball is about. Also, I found it incredibly depressing to walk past the old Stadium. I know the Yankees wanted the revenue stream but I, for one, found nothing wrong with the old Stadium, not even it's cramped corridors. As for the Mets' new park, it's nice, clean, pleasant. But sometime during the middle innings I looked up and realized I had no idea what park I was in or which teams were playing. The stadium could have been in Washington, Philadelphia, Cleveland. There was nothing to stamp it as the Mets' home park.
Lastly, here's today's Preakness picks, and I'm not usually a believer in "sure things" in athletics so I'll shy away from the filly, Rachel Alexandra, even though I believe she is a great horse. I'm also not going with Mine That Bird to continue his Triple Crown run. He's obviously a better horse than people gave him credit for but the Preakness won't favor him if he's coming from behind again.
1. Pioneerof the Nile
2. Rachel Alexandra
3. Friesan Fire (should get a cleaner ride than in the Kentucky Derby)
And as for those Nikolai Zherdev/KHL rumors, still trying to get in touch with Zherdev's agent.
I'm a Devils fan, but im not here to say anything derrogatory. Just wanted to comment how frustrating it is to see a guy as skilled as Zherdev, barely every try or fight to win.
I can't imagine how annoying it must be to Ranger fans to see this for a whole season. If I had his talent I'd play to win every night.
Posted by: Speedz | May 16, 2009 at 05:36 PM
yup its very frustrating to watch...honestly i rather have a guy with less skill that shows up every night to play. Zherdev sets a bad example of what the new rangers team style should be. Go out and play hard every shift. He does the total opposite, i hope he stays so we can trade him in a deal for a real sniper. The way we play under torts isn't so much about defense, we need some guns and some heavy hitters to play the style he wants.
Posted by: Richie | May 17, 2009 at 12:35 PM
I'm not saying to definitely keep Nik Z but remember he's only 24 and was rushed to the NHL to be the savior of the Blue Jackets at 18. There's a lot of immaturity there. Males don't start "getting it" until they're 25 (I'm 28 now and only started "getting life" at 24-25). He did fight Steve Stamkos earlier in the season, and he did show some toughness. He's a sensitive guy and probably needs time to adjust to Torts' tough love.
Andrew-Give Citi Field a chance. It's very nice and grows on you. I'm not saying you but I don't get how people who trashed Shea (a fine Municipal yet unremarkable Stadium) are now complaining about Citi. Probably disgruntled people in general. The food is great, the seats are great, there's a lot to do, it's a pitcher's park, the only thing it's lacking is Mets history but it's being worked on.
Posted by: MikeA | May 17, 2009 at 07:22 PM
Mets history? 1969 was impressive, but the 1986 team is nothing to be proud of. they are the poster team for what you dont want your kids to grow up to be
Posted by: P | May 17, 2009 at 10:29 PM
and only keep zherdev if he will take a paycut. if not let him walk or try and trade him but cant see them getting much for him given his attitude and lack of effort. and the fact that it was his first playoffs is no excuse. rangers biggest concern at the moment should be locking up dubinsky so no one offer sheets him. they should not let him be unsigned as of july 1st.
Posted by: Pete | May 17, 2009 at 10:33 PM
z should be signed for 1 yr.
dubi - we have arb rights on him and cally so we can do so before july 1st to prevent an offer sheet. we did the same with henrik but then negotiated a deal with him before it got that far. both cally and dubi s/b signed for 1 or 2 yrs no problem.
Posted by: LI Joe | May 17, 2009 at 11:46 PM
A good line to support your linked article:
On NHL radio, Red Wings star Henrik Zetterburg was asked from Anaheim if he was watching the other playoff series on television.
His answer: No, because his hotel didn't have Versus...
Posted by: Chris QCT | May 18, 2009 at 12:58 PM
yeah i took my first visit to Yankee stadium the other day. It wasn't what i expected at all. its amazingly beautiful and high-tech. Surprisingly it is more homey and intimate than it looks on TV. But Andrew i agree, there was nothing like the community in old Yankee stadium; sad to see it so desolate.
Posted by: NChez | May 18, 2009 at 03:28 PM
Et Tu, Andrew?
I for one see no reason why the Hurricanes can't win specially since ALL the analysts have picked the Penguins to win. You cited DET over the Blackhawks due to the Wings experience, well this CAR is a Stanley Cup winner, at least 70% of them and more importantly their more important players... I don't care who wins but I fully believe that CAR can pull it out as long as the don't allow some of the issues they displayed in allowing BOS to force a game 7.
I am rooting for the 'Hawks because they were the team I hoped would come out of the West.
Posted by: Matty | May 18, 2009 at 06:41 PM
Matty,
Well, since I picked the Pens at the start of the season, I can't back off now. But I also said at the start of the playoffs these were the two best teams in the Eastern Conference (at least I think I said it, perhaps just to my wife, who probably wasn't listening to me ramble about hockey anyway).
As for experience, of course Carolina is Cup experienced, but so is Pittsburgh, having reached the finals last season. This is the first go-round for Chicago's young stars.
Posted by: Andrew Gross | May 18, 2009 at 06:56 PM
Yes but Pittsburgh didn't win ... so that's what I meant by Cup experience ...
Although Carolina better play better from the get go if they want to win ... had they had a better 1st period they probably would've won last night's game
Posted by: Matty | May 19, 2009 at 09:00 PM