MiltonSearch.com blog

Oh yeah, they’re still playing NHL hockey…. I don’t know if it was the quality of play in the first three rounds, or the almost week-long layoff since the Ducks barely dispatched the Red Wings, but holy crap, let’s get on with things here!

We all know my opinion on this year’s edition of the Stanley Cup playoff chase - somewhat less than exhilirating (understatement of the year). My favourite moment thus far was the look on my brother-in-law’s face (Red Wing fan), when out of nowhere, Scott Niedermayer floated one over the mighty Hasek’s shoulder in the dying seconds to tie game 5, followed by Lilja gift-wrapping the winner to Selanne in OT. As a Leaf fan, I was kind of impartial - of course I hate the Wings, but I have absolutely no love for the Ducks either…. Seeing my brother-in-law’s face as he rolled his eyes, shook his head in disappointment and made a beeline for the beer fridge to drown his sorrows gave me that little bit of a rooting interest in the series. Sure enough, Detroit couldn’t recover and Anaheim ‘gently nudged’ them out of the dance in game 6 (after almost coughing it up themselves).

So now we’re down to two teams left standing - two fairly dull teams from fairly dull markets with no rivalry, history or interest in one another. One from a large American market, drawing interest with the same formula as previous sun belt cup winners Tampa and Raleigh: decent fan support and interest whilst in the midst of an outstanding season and impressive charge to the finals, but for anything less than that, well, um… not so much. The other a Canadian city, looking to net Canada’s first cup since the ‘93 Habs. This will save the series, right? Just like the previous two bridesmaids: Calgary and Edmonton, the whole country will be backing them - the buzz will be tremendous! Uh, I don’t know about that… unlike the small-market, underdog, homey Western Canadian feel to the aforementioned teams’ playoff runs, we’re talking Ottawa: the nation’s capital. Where tax dollars go to die. Don’t get me wrong, I’d like to see a Canadian-based club hoist the big silver mug at centre ice at the end of it all, but I don’t see any really passionate support coming their way outside of the Ottawa Valley.

To avoid any additional negative discussion, let’s not even go there with regards to what kind of ratings Versus and NBC will attract with a California-based team (from Anaheim, definitely NOT Los Angeles) playing a Canadian team (not even one of the top 3 Canadian TV markets)…

Wake me up when this one is over.

Ottawa Senators vs. the Anaheim Ducks. In the words of Jerry Seinfeld, “oh yeah, that can’t miss.”

Okay, onto my prediction:

I’ve been hoping and wishing for an engaging series all playoffs long. I thought for sure I would get it from Ottawa and Buffalo, before the Sabres just mentally and physically checked out and allowed themselves to be slapped silly by the Sens…. I’m afraid I have to go the other way now and predict yet another lopsided chess match of a series, and one in which the best case scenario (Canadian team wins cup) won’t even occur…. (this is called blogger’s reverse psychology)

Anaheim over Ottawa 4-1
Yep. There you have it. On every sports site/blog/newspaper etc., everyone’s been quite quick to heap written felatio all over the Sens for what they’ve accomplished thus far. Yes, they just wiped out the President’s Trophy winners, so they may just keep humming along tickety-boo… BUT, let’s just remember they’re now playing the team with the most Canadian-born players, and I have to keep coming back to two names: Niedermayer and Pronger. Especially in the NHL’s ‘dead puck’ era (1995-present), solid, tough, defensive, puck-moving defencemen are invaluable, and Anaheim has arguably 2 of the top 3 in the league. This won’t be easy for Ottawa to overcome.

If you go over goaltending/team defence/team offence/coaching etc. - you might just give the Sens the advantage on all fronts…. but that’s why they play the games…. I like Anaheim’s toughness and intangibles - yes, they played most of the Detroit series half asleep, but they woke up just in time and I think they’re a more focussed group now with their eyes on the prize.

I’ve doubted Ottawa all along (not picking them to win any series thus far), and I guess I’m doing it again. I’ll give them their props: they have looked slick and composed throughout, Ray Emery has come of age in-between the pipes (remember a guy named ‘Martin Gerber?’) and the big line has been just that. What I’m predicting is that Anaheim’s mix of young talent, grit, depth and slug of a goalie will shut the Sens down, score enough to win every game 3-2 and bring the third cup in a row to a relatively new NHL franchise in a city where a cup of water won’t freeze if left outside in January.

Ok, so that’s what we think. Now what do you think??

Check out the alleged ‘Best Places in Canada to Live’ by MoneySense.

Milton would rank #12 as part of Toronto in this study. Ok I guess. Pretty much what you would expect. The problem with using weighted statistical data is that you always end up with some odd-ball rankings. Gander, Newfoundland at #10, Leamington, Ontario at #14 (ahead of Vancouver) and the cities of Brandon and Thompson, Manitoba ranking ahead of Calgary and Edmonton amongst others made me raise a ‘Spockian eyebrow’ at first glance…. Also, good for Tillsonburg (”my back still aches when I hear that word” - Stompin’ Tom Connors) making it into the top 50 at #38.

I thought this article would make for some interesting discussion.

Or maybe not.

Is it just me, or have the NHL playoffs been a bit of a snore-fest this year. No real upsets, few exciting games, goal-scoring at a premium and obstruction and the dreaded ‘trap’ seems to be creeping back into the game….

I’m counting on the Eastern Conference Final to rescue the playoffs for me here, with what should be a great series between Ottawa and Buffalo. Both teams play a fairly up-tempo, quick skating and aggressive game, and can score (and more importantly, play to score goals). Throw in a little bit of bitterness (see Chris Neil’s hit on Chris Drury earlier this season) and all of the ingredients are there for an entertaining series. I’ve been craving a great series with all of the aforementioned elements - the Rangers/Sabres was close, but I think the Sens and Sabres can do better. I hope it goes the distance and whoever wins, it will be dramatic. Either Ottawa will finally exorcise their demons and advance to their first final (I’m not counting their bogus Stanley Cup victories in the early part of the last century), or the Sabres will advance with the hope of netting the first major sports championship in the history of the city of Buffalo.

The Western Conference? Let’s just say I can now catch up on my sleep. Both participants have played a particularly dull brand of hockey to get to this point, and I’m not expecting too much in the way of excitement. Throw in the fact that I don’t really care for either team, so basically I’m banking on one of the Eastern Conference teams to win it all. My worst fear is Detroit or Anaheim winning the cup playing Devilesque hockey, circa 1995. Bye bye “New NHL.”

Okay, the state of the game is a topic for another day. I’ve got all summer to whine and bitch and figure out how to fix it… On to the MiltonSearch.com crystal ball:

Eastern Conference

Buffalo over Ottawa 4-3
I’m soooo hoping this one goes the distance. Please let’s not have a repeat of Ottawa laying a big, fat egg like last year, including giving up the series winner on a shorthanded 1 on 3 in overtime no less. I think this year’s Sens/Sabres matchup should be better - Ottawa was the one team who owned the Sabres this year - one of the few with the quickness to match Buffalo. However, I’m calling for the Sabres to pull this one out in a thrilling game seven in fire city. Much like last year’s Buffalo/Carolina matchup - the regular season will pay off for the Sabres and the home crowd will help lift them to victory. I think they’re the better team and gee, doesn’t it just seem like it’s their year, especially after the events of game 5 vs. the Rangers: a miracle last second tying goal followed by a prompt OT winner. Just like I felt with the ‘Canes last year - I think it may just be Buffalo’s year (I feel so weird typing that). Could Brett Hull’s “in the crease” goal and Scott Norwood’s “wide right” kick be finally forgotten? Maybe. But they have to beat an Ottawa club playing tough, clutch hockey right now (again, weird). This one’s going to be fun!

Western Conference

Anaheim over Detroit 4-2
Okay, by now you know I’m less than enthused with this matchup. The Ducks are impressive, and I’ve picked them from the start to come out of the west. They play a tough, defensive style and get just enough scoring from Selanne and a bunch of good ‘ol Canadian muckers up front. I wondered if J.S. Giguere might be washed up after a poor season last year, but throw S.Niedermayer and C.Pronger out there for 30 minutes apiece every night and suddenly even John David Ballantyne, P. Eng. would look stellar between the pipes. Detroit has made it this far equally as unspectacularly, grinding both the offensively-challenged Flames and the character-challenged Sharks to a standstill. As I mentioned, I’ve noticed a lot of the “old NHL” creeping back into the game lately, and I think this series is where it needs to be snuffed out or else… I’m hoping the refs begin to call penalties the way they did last year and for half of this season. I’ve seen a lot of interference and clutching & grabbing ignored by the zebras so far in this playoff, and these two teams have been among the worst offenders - usually the teams with the least goals against are the most guilty… Anyways, I’m still not impressed by Detroit, and I think Anaheim has a little more overall toughness, especially up front, and should come away with the series victory. Quackedy bleeping quack, quack quack!

Well, that’s what the crystal ball says. Take it to the bank. Now, what do you think?

Better late than never: here are the official MiltonSearch.com predictions for the NBA’s second round of playoffs:

Eastern Conference

Detroit over Chicago 4-1
Unlike Miami, I think the team who can ‘throw the switch’ is the Pistons. This should be an even matchup, but I think the Pistons’ playoff and big game experience will be too much. They should sweep at the Palace and steal a close one in Chicago and that’s it.

Cleveland over New Jersey 4-3
As much as I think Cleveland will crush the Nets, I think Kidd, Carter, Jefferson et al still have a little left in the tank and will win their home games at the (almost sold out) Continental Airlines Arena. The Cavs manhandled them in the regular season, but I’m really not sold on them. I know they’re the #2 seed, and LeBron is LeBron, but I’m just not a huge fan of guys like Ilgauskas, Hughes, Snow etc. As much as their record and #2 seeding is enticing, I think they have their flaws and Kidd will be able to expose them defensively. Ultimately the Nets will run out of steam - at times they looked unbeatable vs. Toronto, but come on people, they’re not THAT good, even with Kidd averaging a triple-double in the playoffs….

Western Conference

San Antonio over Phoenix 4-2
What a series. This should be the West final, furthering the case for NHL-style re-seeding after each round. I love the Suns, their style of play, and I want Nash to win a ring to go with his two MVP’s, but the solid, if uninspiring Spurs should win this one even without home court. I think they bear down and steal a close one in the desert, and it will be up to the Suns to try to win on the road after that. This will be a good one to watch - maybe the best of the entire playoffs. Unfortunately, the least entertaining team will win and general interest and TV ratings outside of San Antonio will suffer from this point on.

Utah over Golden State 4-3
I can’t believe it’s Utah vs. Golden State. Very refreshing. This should be a great series - the Warriors play a great run-and-gun style, but I think the Jazz are ok with that. As long as they don’t try to run too much, I think they’ll be alright. The games in Oakland should be great to watch because of the rowdy crowd, but that’s not the only reason. It’s just nice to see two exciting young teams going at it with nothing to lose - I don’t think many expected either to go this far, so expect both teams to ‘leave it out on the floor’. The only downfall is the late starts. Looks like I’ll only be watching highlights of this baby, unfortunately. If I’m going to stay up, it’s the Suns/Spurs I want to watch. Sorry Warriors/Jazz - nothing against you guys. Now go have some fun.

Okay, those are my thoughts on round two. Now, what do you think?

Here are some thoughts on the Maple Leafs sad state of affairs after missing out on the playoffs for the second straight year. I know, I know, that was weeks ago - these are my thoughts written the Monday after the final weekend of the season - I’m finally posting them now and I’m awaiting your feedback, Milton. We’ve got all summer to assess the Blue and White…

I think it was fitting that neither the Leafs or Habs made it in after their ‘Alphonse and Gaston’ routine on Saturday. That was just a plain ugly performance by both teams in respectively, their most important game of the year. After the Leafs were unofficially eliminated by the Habs last year in a two-game sweep at the Bell Centre, and after a couple of painful losses there again this year, it felt nice to knock them out - but the big game was the Leaf loss in Long Island last week when they could have knocked out the Isles (I won’t mention the countless third period leads they surrendered this season either - the majority of which they lost in regulation, not even able to get the OT point). I would have loved to see some Leaf playoff hockey this year, but it’s probably just as well. I’m shuddering right now with thoughts of that horn going off in Buffalo as the Sabres slam goal after goal past the Leaf netminder of your choice (Raycroft, Aubin or cardboard cut-out).

At least the Flyers and Blooz have some upside - they’ve more or less begun cleaning out players and making some cap space. This Leaf team is in a terrible position. As we’ve discussed, Ferguson had the lockout and again last offseason to walk away from the McCabe’s, Antropov’s etc. and start really rebuilding. Instead, he starts filling up valuable cap space with Kubina’s, McCabe’s, Gill’s and in my mind, the most puzzling move - signing Raycroft to a 3-year deal. He has a great rookie campaign, then a terrible sophomore season, and Boston gives up on him. He’s a project at best, so you sign him cheap and make him prove he deserves a longer deal right? It doesn’t cost you a lot, you don’t have to commit long term, but if he regains his form, you got a top goalie for a steal and then you can sign him. So what does Ferguson do? He signs him right away to a hefty 3-year contract before the season starts. Beauty. Well, at least he acquired a capable veteran backup to push Raycroft… Nope. Didn’t do that either. Now this team’s screwed for years - not terrible enough to start stockpiling high draft picks, and mired in mediocrity with overpaid, underperforming players (did you see both McCabe and Kaberle doing their fish out of water impersonations on goals in each of the last two games? What the hell was that? These are your top defencemen?) with no cap room. To top it off, they’ll re-sign Sundin in the offseason and probably give him a no-trade clause. Perfect. He really performed like a 5-6 million dollar player down the stretch (yes, that was sarcasm).

Anyways, to make a long story short: get used to this roster Leaf fans. We’ve got Kubina, Gill, McCabe, Kaberle, Raycroft, Tucker, Sundin - the core of players that directed the team to a wildly inconsistent 9th place finish in the weaker Eastern Conference locked up for the foreseeable future. Guys like Pohl, Ponikakldkieiioaieurosky, Wellwood, Colaiacovo and White are nice pieces so far and a guy like Antropov will be replaced with a player of pretty much the same calibre. Let me look into my crystal ball…. hmmmm, I see a 9th-11th place finish for each of the next 3 seasons…. sounds exciting!

Do you think the board at MLSE can convince Bryan Colangelo to take on the Leafs as maybe a side project in his spare time? The blue and white could surely use some of his magic (women love him, men want to be him - he’s a modern day Austin Powers - oh, and a brilliant GM to boot). Hell, I’m starting to think Pat Quinn would even look good back in the saddle (I can’t believe I just typed that). Ok, maybe that’s extreme, but he did re-tool the Leafs after consecutive playoff misses in the mid 90’s into semi-finalists by signing CuJo and with an upstart roster with guys like Steve Sullivan, Danny Markov and the aforementioned Kaberle in his rookie year.

I guess that’s enough whining for now. I can say however, that I did truly cherish the Flyers being the NHL’s big pile of dung for an entire season. Before they rise from the ashes, at least I can say it was an enjoyable year of watching the Leafs sweep their season series and seeing other teams just continue to beat them down all season long. Their veteran players got worse (Gagne aside), and their young players regressed. They finished with their lowest point total ever, which is astonishing given the fact that when they were a fresh-faced expansion team in 67-68, they played ten fewer games per season and still finished with more points than this year. But, at least they have some cap space and draft picks, and some scouts that probably know their arses from a hole in the ground (more than I can say for the Leafs) - they have a chance to get better.

Enjoy the playoffs everyone,

Peace. Out.