Sunday, May 13, 2012

2012 NHL Conference Finals Preview



This years NHL Playoffs have proven to be a shocker to many. And it was still showing last round. Eight teams last round still had a dream of having their name engraved into the Stanley Cup.
In the Eastern Conference the #1 seed New York Rangers took on the #7 seed Washington Capitals. In a series that lasted seven games, including a game that went into three overtimes, the Rangers came through as the victors in a 4-3 series win. The #5 seed Philadelphia Flyers battled with the #6 seed New Jersey Devils as the other Eastern Conference Semi Finals game. A series in which people thought would be seven games came down to a series were the Devils were the better team in a 4-1 series win.
In the Western Conference, a Stanley Cup favorites, the #2 St. Louis Blues, vied with a #8 seed, the Los Angles Kings. The Kings came out fast, and that proved to be a huge factor in this series. The #8 Kings kept cruising in this years playoffs, with a sweep of the series 4-0. As a person would say, "That was "Quick"." #3 seed Phoenix Coyotes and the #5 seed Nashville Predators were a pair of teams that have possibly two of the best NHL goalies in the league. Unlike in the last series only one game went to overtime, and the Yotes prevailed as the winner with a 4-1 series win.

The following is the schedule for the NHL Conference Finals
x- If necessary
TBA- To Be Announced

Eastern Conference Finals
#1 New York Rangers vs. #6 New Jersey Devils
Game 1: Devils @ Rangers Monday May 14th 8:00 CBC NBCSN
Game 2: Devils @ Rangers Wednesday May 16th 8:00 CBC NBCSN
Game 3: Rangers @ Devils Saturday May 19th 1:00 CBC NBC
Game 4: Rangers @ Devils Monday May 21st 8:00 CBC NBCSN
x-Game 5: Devils @ Rangers Wednesday May 23rd 8:00 CBC NBCSN
x-Game 6: Rangers @ Devils Friday May 25th 8:00 CBC NBCSN
x-Game 7: Devils @ Rangers Sunday May 27th 8:00 CBC NBCSN
Prediction: Rangers in 6

Western Conference Finals
#3 Phoenix Coyotes vs. # Los Angles Kings
Game 1: Kings @ Coyotes Sunday May 13th 8:00  NBCSN
Game 2: Kings @ Coyotes Tuesday May 15th 9:00 NBCSN
Game 3: Coyotes @ Kings Thursday May 17th 9:00 NBCSN
Game 4: Coyotes @ Kings Sunday May 20th 3:00 CBC NBC
x-Game 5: Kings @ Coyotes Tuesday May 22nd 9:00 CBC NBCSN
x-Game 6: Coyotes @ Kings Thursday May 24th 9:00 CBC NBCSN
x-Game 7: Kings @ Coyotes Saturday Mat 26th 8:00 PM CBC
Prediction: Kings in 7

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Young Signing Stirs National Buzz

People of Buffalo as well as people within the Bills organization knew that the signing of Vince Young would cause the city and team to be talked about around the nation.  The didn't know however, the manner in which they would be spoken about.

Opinions have sprung about it being a bad signing and it's effect will be drama and unwanted attention while some believe this makes the Bills even more relevant in the AFC East than ever before.  There is no question that Ryan Fitzpatrick is the starting quarterback of the Buffalo Bills but that isn't to say there will not be some competition throughout the season.

Vince Young, when mentally and physically healthy is as lethal as any scrambling quarterback in the league.  One of Young's  biggest supporters, ESPN's Skip Bayless consistently advocated that if Young were the starter for the Eagles last year they would have been a playoff team.  He tweeted Friday about the Bills signing him.


"Vince Young eventually will be the starting quarterback of the Buffalo Bills, who'll start causing problems in the AFC East."
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We will see if that statement holds true but however Young helps the Bills, the signing is definitely a show of the commitment to win by the Bills.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Bills Sign QB Vince Young

The fascinating off-season that has already featured the signings of defensive stars Mario Williams and Mark Anderson just got a lot more interesting as the Buffalo Bills announced Friday afternoon that they have signed former Titans and Eagles quarterback Vince Young to a one year contract.

Young, who spent last season as the backup in Philadelphia to Michael Vick visited with and worked out for the Bills last week.  Wide receiver David Nelson told reporters at a local charity event that he thought Young looked good and was in good shape.  Earlier this week, Young's agent said that Buffalo was "still an option" and they definitely were.

Vince Young over his 6 year career has compiled a total quarterback rating of 74.4 to go along with 46 touchdowns and a 57.1% completion percentage.  He has never been know for dazzling passing statistics rather his 31-19 record and his ability to run and move out of the pocket has been his trademark.

The Bills will play Young two million dollars for his base contract with another one million in additional possible playing bonuses.

This move definitely brings national attention to the team if it wasn't there already from the off season they have had.  It also will bring heat to starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick who will hear the Vince Young chants in Ralph Wilson Stadium if he or the team struggle this season.  The heat and competition can prove however to be a good thing for Fitzpatrick and the Bills as he and they will be forced to step their game up to avoid a quarterback controversy.

Regardless of his stats and baggage he brings, the luxury of having Vince Young as a backup option for an injury is something no one can complain with.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

NHL Semi Finals Predictions



Sixteen teams had a dream at the starting of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs. As the Quarterfinals ended yesterday, eight teams had their dreams ended, and the other eight continued the dream.
In the Eastern Conference last round, the #1 seed New York Rangers barely escaped elimination last night as they won their series 4-3 against the #8 seed Ottawa Senators.

The #2 seed and defending Stanley Cup champions, the Boston Bruins, were a favorite by many to repeat as the Champions. That dream ended in 4-3 series defeat by the #7 seed Washington Capitals, who were said to be very inconsistent headed into the playoffs. #3 seed Florida Panthers battled hard against the #6 seed New Jersey Devils, who won the series 4-3 last night in a double overtime thriller.

The most talked about series in the NHL this year, #4 Pittsburgh Penguins #5 Philadelphia Flyers, was basically what everyone wanted. Fights, scoring, and hard hits. The Flyers won in 6.

In the Western Conference last round, the Vancouver Canucks, who also won the Presidents Trophy, pretty much shocked everyone in the first round as they were done in a 4-1 series defeat to the #8 seed Los Angles Kings.  The St. Louis Blues won the hearts of alot of people as they made the playoffs as a #2 seed, and had no problem with the #7 seed San Jose Sharks in 5 games.

Despite no owner, being bankrupt, and a possible relocation, the #3 Phoenix Coyotes battled hard with the #6 Chicago Blackhawks. The two teams played five of six games in overtime,and the Yotes won the series 4-2. The #4 Nashville Predators played against the #5 Detroit Red Wings, as the Preds took the series 4-1.

Below is the schedule of the Stanley Cup Semi Finals.
x-= if necessary
TBD= To Be Determined

Eastern Conference Semifinals
#1 New York Rangers Vs. #7 Washington Capitals
Game 1: Capitals @ Rangers Saturday April 28th 3:00 PM NBC, CBC
Game 2: Capitals @ Rangers Monday April 30th 7:30 PM NBCSN CBC
Game 3: Rangers @ Capitals Wednesday May 2nd 7:30 PM NBCSN, CBC
Game 4: Rangers @ Capitals  Saturday May 5th 12:30 PM NBC, CBC
x-Game 5: Capitals @ Rangers Monday May 7th 7:30 PM NBCSN, CBC
x-Game 6: Rangers @ Capitals Wednesday May 9th TBD  TBD CBC
x- Game 7: Capitals @ Rangers Saturday May 12th TBD    TBD CBC
Prediction: Rangers in 6

#5 Philadelphia Flyers Vs. #6 New Jersey Devils
Game 1: Devils @ Flyers Sunday April 29th 3:00 PM NBC, CBC
Game 2: Devils @ Flyers Tuesday May 1st 7:30 PM NBCSN CBC
Game 3: Flyers @ Devils Thursday May 3rd 7:30 PM NBCSN CBC
Game 4: Flyers @ Devils Sunday May 6th 7:30 PM NBCSN CBC
x-Game 5: Devils @ Flyers Tuesday May 8th TBD NBCSN CBC
x-Game 6: Flyers @ Devils Thursday May 10th TBD TBD CBC
x-Game 7: Devils @ Flyers Saturday May 12th TBD CBC
Prediction: Flyers in 6

Western Conference Semifinals
#2 St. Louis Blues Vs. #8 Los Angles Kings
Game 1: Kings @ Blues Saturday April 28th 7:30 PM NBCSN
Game 2: Kings @ Blues Monday April 30th 9:00 PM CNBC
Game 3: Blues @ Kings Thursday May 3rd 10:00 PM NBC
Game 4: Blues @ Kings Sunday May 6th 3:00 PM NBC
x-Game 5: Kings @ Blues Tuesday May 8th TBD CNBC
x-Game 6: Blues @ Kings Thursday May 10th TBD TBD
x-Game 7: Kings @ Blues Saturday May 12th TBD TBD
Prediction: Kings in 7

#3 Phoenix Coyotes Vs #4 Nashville Predators
Game 1: Predators @ Coyotes Friday April 27th 9:00 PM NBCSN
Game 2: Predators @ Coyotes Sunday April 29th 8:00 PM NBCSN
Game 3: Coyotes @ Predators Wednesday May 2nd 9:00 PM CNBC
Game 4: Coyotes @ Predators  Friday May 4th 7:30 PM NBCSN
x-Game 5: Predators @ Coyotes Monday May 7th 10:00 PM NBCSN
x-Game 6: Coyotes @ Predators Wednesday May 9th TBD TBD
x-Game 7: Predators @ Coyotes Friday May 11th TBD TBD
Prediction: Predators in 7