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Taking on the Experts – 2010 Edition

Eric — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 20:40:06 +0000

It’s that time again, folks. It has been about ten months since I almost lost to Maggie the Monkey, but it’s finally back. Our incredibly awesome attempt at:

Luckily for me, Maggie retired after last season.

Here’s how it works. Throughout the playoffs, we will be predicting the winners of each series and comparing our picks to those of the experts around the sporting world.

Here are our predictions for the First round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs:

Series	Eric	Marc	Rory
#1 Capitals vs. #8 Canadiens	Habs in 5	Capitals in 7	Capitals in 5
#2 Devils vs. #7 Flyers	Devils in 6	Flyers in 6	The Prudential center is set on fire by angry Newark gangbangers during Game 1. The blaze is nearly extinguished when Brodeur lets one rip and the fumes from the 7 cows worth of meat he’s eaten in the last 24 hours reignites the remaining embers. His blubber then acts as an accelerant to charge the new flames into a raging inferno. There are no survivors.
#3 Sabres vs. #6 Bruins	Sabres in 5	Sabres in 7	Sabres in 6
#4 Penguins vs. #5 Senators	Penguins in 4	Penguins in 4	Penguins in 6
#1 Sharks vs. #8 Avalanche	Sharks in 5	Sharks in 5	Avalanche in 6 (come on, it’s the Sharks)
#2 Blackhawks vs. #7 Predators	Blackhawks in 5	Blackhawks in 5	Blackhawks in 5
#3 Canucks vs. #6 Kings	Kings in 6	Kings in 6	Canucks in 6
#4 Coyotes vs. #5 Red Wings	Coyotes in 7	Red Wings in 6	Coyotes in 7

ESPN Expert Picks:

It seems that TSN has not even bothered to put their picks online in chart form and I’ll be damned if I have to sit through video to pull out their predictions.

Yahoo! Sports Expert Picks:

This year Sam McCaig replaces Jim Fox

Series	Sam McCaig	Ross McKeon	Matt Romig	Greg Wyshynski
#1 Capitals vs. #8 Canadiens	Capitals in 6	Capitals in 5	Capitals in 6	Capitals in 5
#2 Devils vs. #7 Flyers	Devils in 7	Devils in 6	Devils in 6	Devils in 6
#3 Sabres vs. #6 Bruins	Sabres in 5	Bruins in 7	Bruins in 7	Sabres in 7
#4 Penguins vs. #5 Senators	Penguins in 5	Penguins in 4	Penguins in 7	Penguins in 6
#1 Sharks vs. #8 Avalanche	Sharks in 4	Sharks in 4	Sharks in 5	Sharks in 5
#2 Blackhawks vs. #7 Predators	Blackhawks in 7	Blackhawks in 5	Blackhawks in 6	Blackhawks in 6
#3 Canucks vs. #6 Kings	Canucks in 5	Canucks in 7	Canucks in 5	Canucks in 7
#4 Coyotes vs. #5 Red Wings	Red Wings in 5	Red Wings in 6	Red Wings in 6	Red Wings in 6

And newcomer this year, The guys over at Blueshirt Banter:

Series	Jim Schmiedeberg	Joe Fortunato	Ryan McFadden	Nick Montemagno (NYRBlogger)
#1 Capitals vs. #8 Canadiens	Capitals in 4	Capitals in 5	Capitals in 6	Capitals in 4
#2 Devils vs. #7 Flyers	Devils in 5	Devils in 6	Flyers in 7	Devils in 6
#3 Sabres vs. #6 Bruins	Sabres in 6	Sabres in 5	Sabres in 6	Sabres in 7
#4 Penguins vs. #5 Senators	Penguins in 4	Sens in 7	Penguins in 6	Penguins in 5
#1 Sharks vs. #8 Avalanche	Sharks in 4	Sharks in 5	Sharks in 4	Sharks in 5
#2 Blackhawks vs. #7 Predators	Blackhawks in 5	Blackhawks in 6	Blackhawks in 5	Blackhawks in 4
#3 Canucks vs. #6 Kings	Kings in 7	Canucks in 6	Kings in 7	Canucks in 5
#4 Coyotes vs. #5 Red Wings	Coyotes in 6	Coyotes in 7	Coyotes in 7	Coyotes in 6

I will keep standings based on how many correct picks each expert makes. For each correct pick, the expert will receive two standings points. If the expert correctly guesses the winner AND the number of games the series lasts, they will get one additional point.

But Eric, doesn’t that mean there will be a magical third point that is given out sometimes and not others?

Yes, but if it works for the NHL, it works for us.

The standings will be updated as each series is completed.

Nazzy Retires

Rory — Sun, 03 May 2009 16:38:09 +0000

We learned today, via Larry Brooks of the New York Post, that 35-year old Markus Naslund has announced his retirement.

Fly, Nazzy, Fly! (REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine)

Naslund(Nazzy to many) signed with the Rangers last summer for a 2-year, $8 million contract. He posted 46 points, 9 less than the season before. Nazzy played with the Vancouver Canucks for most of his career, and came to New York with the hopes of winning the Cup. He was selected to play on the Swedish National Team at the 2006 Torino Olympics, but opted not to play due to injury.

I liked Nazzy on a personal level. Well, as personal as you can get with someone you don’t actually know. Nazzy always seemed like a good guy, a classy person, and a good teammate. Plus, he wasn’t too bad to look at. However, his point totals had been steadily declining for several seasons, and the fact that Glen Sather threw 2 years and $8 million at him after announcing that he would not re-sign Jaromir Jagr because ‘the team was moving in a different direction’ prevented me from truly embracing him as a Ranger. As nice of a guy as Nazzy seemed, I would rather have had Jags back for two years.

Nazzy just couldn’t put up the numbers to back up the money he was making. So as much of a nice guy as he seemed, I’m glad to see him go – we can use that money for better things. Like re-signing Brandon Dubinsky, or Blair Betts, or to buy Hank some strippers and peppermint schnapps – homeboy looked sad as hell during the break-up day interview. And everyone knows the best cure for the sads is schnapps and strippers. But only the high-end kind – Hank’s classy like that.

Anyway, you had a good run, Naz, and I appreciate the effort you put forth……most of the time.

Taking on the “Experts” – Round 2

Eric — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:35:41 +0000

Throughout the playoffs, we will be predicting the winners of each series and comparing our picks to those of the experts around the sporting world.

Here are our predictions for the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs:

Series	Eric	Marc	Rory
#1 Bruins vs. #6 Hurricanes	Bruins in 6	Bruins in 5	Bruins in 6
#2 Capitals vs. #5 Penguins	Penguins in 5	Penguins in 6	Penguins in 7*
#2 Red Wings vs. #8 Ducks	Ducks in 7	Red Wings in 5	Red Wings in 6
#3 Canucks vs. #4 Blackhawks	Blackhawks in 5	Canucks in 7	Canucks in 7

*Hopefully the Mellon Arena will collapse and there will be no survivors.

ESPN‘s Expert Picks:

TSN’s Expert Picks:

Yes folks, were taking on Maggie the Monkey

Yahoo! Sports Expert Picks:

Series	Jim Fox	Ross McKeon	Matt Romig	Greg Wyshynski
#1 Bruins vs. #6 Hurricanes	Bruins in 6	Bruins in 5	Bruins in 6	Bruins in 6
#2 Capitals vs. #5 Penguins	Penguins in 5	Penguins in 7	Penguins in 6	Penguins in 6
#2 Red Wings vs. #8 Ducks	Red Wings in 6	Red Wings in 5	Red Wings in 7	Red Wings in 7
#3 Canucks vs. #4 Blackhawks	Canucks in 5	Blackhawks in 6	Canucks in 6	Canucks in 5

I will keep standings based on how many corrects picks each expert makes. For each correct pick, the expert will receive 1 standings point. If the expert correctly guesses the winner and the number of games the series will last, they will get 2 points. The TSN experts didn’t bother to say how many games each series would take so they can’t get any bonus points. Sucks to be TSN!

Current Standings

Previous Rounds: Round 1

Taking on the “Experts”

Eric — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 21:27:57 +0000

Throughout the playoffs, we will be predicting the winners of each series and comparing our picks to those of the experts around the sporting world.

Here are our predictions for the First round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs:

Series	Eric	Marc	Rory
#1 Bruins vs. #8 Habs	Bruins in 5	Bruins in 7	Bruins in 5
#2 Capitals vs. #7 Capitals	Rangers in 6	Rangers in 6	Capitals in 7
#3 Devils vs. #6 Hurricanes	Hurricanes in 6	Hurricanes in 6	Hurricanes in 6
#4 Penguins vs. #5 Flyers	Penguins in 5	Penguins in 5	Penguins in 7
#1 Sharks vs. #8 Ducks	Sharks in 6	Sharks in 6	Sharks in 5
#2 Red Wings vs. #7 Blue Jackets	Red Wings in 5	Red Wings in 5	Red Wings in 6
#3 Canucks vs. #6 Blues	Blues in 7	Blues in 7	Blues in 7
#4 Blackhawks vs. #5 Flames	Blackhawks in 5	Blackhawks in 5	Blackhawks in 7

ESPN‘s Expert Picks:

TSN’s Expert Picks:

Yes folks, were taking on Maggie the Monkey

Yahoo! Sports Expert Picks:

Series	Jim Fox	Ross McKeon	Matt Romig	Greg Wyshynski
#1 Bruins vs. #8 Habs	Bruins in 5	Bruins in 7	Bruins in 6	Bruins in 5
#2 Capitals vs. #7 Capitals	Capitals in 5	Capitals in 5	Capitals in 6	Capitals in 6
#3 Devils vs. #6 Hurricanes	Devils in 6	Devils in 6	Hurricanes in 7	Hurricanes in 6
#4 Penguins vs. #5 Flyers	Penguins in 7	Flyers in 6	Penguins in 7	Penguins in 7
#1 Sharks vs. #8 Ducks	Sharks in 6	Sharks in 6	Sharks in 6	Sharks in 7
#2 Red Wings vs. #7 Blue Jackets	Red Wings in 6	Red Wings in 5	Red Wings in 5	Red Wings in 7
#3 Canucks vs. #6 Blues	Canucks in 6	Canucks in 5	Canucks in 7	Blues in 6
#4 Blackhawks vs. #5 Flames	Flames in 6	Flames in 7	Flames in 6	Blackhawks in 6

5-hole.com Pick ‘em – Marc owes me $1

Eric — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:03:53 +0000

OMG PETR PRUCHA’S PLAYING TONIGHT!

But Ryan Callahan isn’t because he has the flu.

#6 New York Rangers @ #20 Pittsburgh Penguins

Eric – Rangers – Because I said so.
Marc – Rangers – The Rangers kind of got shafted by the NHL with the scheduling coming out of the break. They played last night at MSG, traveled today, and have to play the 2nd night of a back-to-back in Pittsburgh against a well-rested team. Fair? No. Surprised? No. I’m still taking the Rangers because Lundqvist is back.
Rory – Rangers – The Rangers suck ass at Mellon Arena, but I think they can pull it off.

#11 Buffalo Sabres @ #7 Calgary Flames

Eric – Flames – No me importa este juego. *gimmie*
Marc – Flames – In what is becoming an all-too-familiar scene in Edmonton, the Oilers gave up 10 goals last night to the Sabres. Yes, 10. But Calgary has Kipper! *gimmie*
Rory – Flames – Meh. *gimmie*

#10 Chicago Blackhawks @ #13 Anaheim Ducks

Eric – Hawks – Hawk eat! Hawk eat! Hawk eat!
Marc – Ducks – Over the last five seasons, Chicago is 5-17-3 with three ties at Anaheim, San Jose and Los Angeles, and four of those wins have come against the Kings. Good thing they are about to go on an 8-game West Coast road trip. As Astro would say, ruh roh.
Rory – Hawks – I’m still all warm and fuzzy from those All Star Game campaign commercials.

#25 Nashville Predators @ #18 Vancouver Canucks

Eric – Canucks – When Mats Sundin picked the Canucks, he claimed he wanted to go to a Stanley Cup contender. The Canucks are sitting in 10th place in the West. I guess that’s not as bad as the Preds though.
Marc – Canucks – Both of these teams are slumping, but maybe Luongo will return to form against the scoring-deficient Preds.
Rory – Canucks – I flipped a coin – neither is in a playoff spot, and both were pretty crappy before the break.

5-hole.com Pick ‘em – Marc is Mini-Kipper – 1/15/09

Eric — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 23:49:00 +0000

#2 Boston Bruins @ #30 New York Islanders

Eric – Bruins – If the Bruins don’t win I will eat my hat. *gimmie*
Marc – Bruins – The Isles were already hopeless with MacDonald… now Danis is in net. *gimmie*
Rory – Bruins – Ha! *gimmie*

#25 Toronto Maple Leafs @ #15 Carolina Hurricanes

Eric – Canes – Fantasy team pick (Cam Ward)
Marc – Canes – blah
Rory – Canes – The Leafs have lost 8 of their last ten. Plus they suck.

#22 Nashville Predators @ #6 Montreal Canadiens

Eric – Preds – hahaha Pekka.
Marc – Habs – The Preds are looking good recently but it’s tough to go into the Bell Centre and win.
Rory – Habs – No dollar bills are going to be mailed out tonight.

#9 Philadelphia Flyers @ #27 Tampa Bay Lightning

Eric – Flyers – There is no possible way that the Lightning beat the Flyers tonight. None.
Marc – Flyers – The Lightning are back from a long west coast road trip where they actually won 2 out of 3. But they lost 7-1 to the Sharks and jet lag is a bitch.
Rory – Flyers – Come on, now.

#20 Edmonton Oilers @ #19 Minnesota Wild

Eric – Wild – I flipped a coin. It landed on it’s rim. Bad teams are bad.
Marc – Wild – Backstrom is the man.
Rory – Wild – I flipped a coin – these two are practically the same at the moment, stnadings-wise and record-wise, anyway.

#21 Colorado Avalanche @ #28 St. Louis Blues

Eric – Avs – They’re on a roll… of sorts.
Marc – Avs – These teams are both pretty bad, but at least Col has looked decent lately. Stl has lost their last 2 and 7 of the last 10.
Rory – Avs – St. Louis is suckin’ it big time this season.

#13 Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo. @ #23 Dallas Stars

Eric – Stars – They’re playing pretty well lately. But then again so are the Sabres.
Marc – Stars – Yes, I’m actually picking Turco.
Rory – Stars – Why not? I like to mix it up.

#14 Phoenix Coyotes @ #11 Vancouver Canucks

Eric – Canucks – Luongo hath returneth.
Marc – Canucks – Luongo is back in action. Sanford got waived… ouch.
Rory – Canucks – Not-so-sucky team playing pretty-damn-sucky team. (Ed. Note: Look at the standings…)

#3 Detroit Red Wings @ #24 Los Angeles Kings

Eric – Wings – Just beat up the Ducks last night. Didn’t have to travel very far today.
Marc – Wings – When the Wings turn it on, they are the best team in the NHL. Anyone who has watched a team try to hold on to a 3rd period lead against the Wings knows what I’m talking about.
Rory – Wings – LA shouldn’t even bother to show up to this game. Save everyone some time and effort.

#5 Calgary Flames @ #1 San Jose Sharks

Eric – Sharks – The Flames probably have the best chance to had the Sharks their first home regulation loss. But I don’t think that will happen.
Marc – Flames – This would be a big time upset, but I freakin love Kipper almost as much as the Mini-Kipper. Almost, but not quite. (see video below)
Rory – Sharks – San Jose haven’t lost at home in regulation and only twice in OT. Yup.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D61TyprHVY8]

5-hole.com Pick ‘em is back, baby! Lock up your daughters…

Marc — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:06:10 +0000

Where has 5-hole.com Pick ‘em been for the last 3 weeks, you ask? Well, I was in Beijing looking for a lovely young bride. Eric was on a flight to Florida with his financial adviser. And Rory was negotiating contracts in California .

Now we’re back, and just in time because there’s a full slate of games on tap for tonight. It’s a great night to have the NHL Center Ice package. On to the picks!

#5 Montreal Canadiens @ #2 Boston Bruins

Eric – Bruins – French Canadians are the worst Canadians.
Marc – Bruins – Two of the hottest teams in the league in a great rivalry game. Tough game to pick, but the Bruins have won the last 2 in the series, and they play great at home.
Rory – Bruins - Toughie, but I have to go with No Habs No! on this one.

#8 New York Rangers @ #30 New York Islanders

Eric – Rangers - http://www.imeem.com/people/jwYDZ_/music/heDj-wSm/the_zambonies_johnny_got_suspended/
Marc – Rangers – Potvin sucks > the chicken dance
Rory – Rangers – The Rangers seem to be kickin’ back into high gear – they’d better beat these losers.

#19 Pittsburgh Penguins @ #6 Philadelphia Flyers

Eric – Flyers - This is not the team that the Penguins break out of their funk against
Marc – Penguins - Yes, the Pens are 2-8 in their last 10, but Philly is 5-2-3, which is basically .500 if you think about it, so they aren’t exactly killing it. Plus, there’s no way I can pick a team from Philly to win this week. Eli: WTF?
Rory – Flyers – Penguins are backsliding HARD. Philly’s at the top of the division. Check and mate.

#21 Edmonton Oilers @ #4 Washington Capitals

Eric – Caps - The Caps are 18-2-1 at the Verizon Center, the Oilers are 11-10-0 away from Rexall Place
Marc – Caps - With the Caps, you get 2 teams in 1. At home, they are ridiculously good. On the road, not so much. This one’s at the VZ Center.
Rory – Caps – I loves me some Ovechkin.

#17 Colorado Avalanche @ #18 Columbus Blue Jackets

Eric – BJ’s - Steve Mason>Andrew Raycroft
Marc – Avs - The BJ’s are suffering from a lot of injuries (that’s what she said?) including big-time playmaker Rick Nash.
Rory – Avs – I don’t really have a reason for this one.

#23 Nashville Predators @ #25 Toronto Maple Leafs

Eric – Preds - I’m not picking any Canadian teams today.
Marc – Leafs – The Predators have lost 7 in a row on the road. The Leafs have lost 3 in a row overall and 7 of their last 9. They can’t both lose, so I guess I’ll take the Leafs.
Rory – Preds – These two have almost the exact same record. I just really don’t like the Maple Leafs

#15 Carolina Hurricanes @ #29 Ottawa Senators

Eric – Canes - Like I said, I’m not picking any Canadian teams today. Plus the Senators suck.
Marc – Sens - Neither of these teams has looked good lately. But this is the 3rd road game in a row for the Canes, and they’ve looked terrible in the last two.
Rory - Canes – Have you seen these schmucks play recently?

#14 Phoenix Coyotes @ #20 Minnesota Wild

Eric – Coyotes - How much better does this team have to do before they make some money?
Marc – Wild – Niklas Backstrom will take me to fantasy hockey glory!
Rory – Wild - Why not?

#27 St. Louis Blues @ #7 Calgary Flames

Eric – Flames - Okay, maybe I’ll pick one.
Marc – Flames - Mikka Kiprusoff will take me to fantasy hockey glory!
Rory – Flames - Calgary’s kickin’ ass. St. Louis? Not so much.

#10 New Jersey Devils @ #11 Vancouver Canucks

Eric – Devils - Luongo’s not ready to go just yet.
Marc – Canucks – My Chelsea Piers team blew our 11-game win streak last night to a team called the Canucks. Coincidence? I think not.
Rory – Canucks – I hate the Devils.

#26 Tampa Bay Lightning @ #1 San Jose Sharks

Eric – Sharks - Puh-lease. *gimmie*
Marc – Sharks – Have you seen the moneyline on this game? The Sharks are -375. *gimmie*
Rory – Sharks – Come on. Seriously? *gimmie*

5-hole.com Pick ‘em – OMG! Controversy! – 12/23/08

Eric — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 20:32:10 +0000

There is controversy brewing over the Penguins’ game winning goal scored by Sidney Crosby in overtime last night. The big question is whether Crosby made contact with the puck above or below the crossbar. The goal was reviewed and it stood. So what’s the problem? The call on the ice was goal. The replay did not conclusively disprove that. It’s a goal right? Maybe, maybe not.

Why it’s a goal:
1. The NHL says it’s a goal, therefore, it’s a goal.
2. Someone at Pensblog drew a cute picture! They can’t be wrong, can they?

Why it’s not a goal:

1. Conspiracy theorists claim the NHL is just furthering the Sidney Crosby love fest.

2. The picture from Pensblog is misleading because the puck was not in line with the corner where the post and crossbar meet when it made contact with Crosby’s stick. It was actually closer to the center of the crossbar. Oh no! The new line goes under Crosby’s arm and the puck! NO GOAL!
3. Commenter Tom L. on the Puck Daddy post says, “Crosby is 5′ 11″, 6′ 3″ on skates. The crossbar is 4ft high and the puck hit a few inches below his armpits. Unless Sid’s swollen head is 28 inches tall, that’s well over 4ft.”
4. If the NHL had disciplined Crosby for his actions in the game against Atlanta, he would not have even been playing in this game.
5. This picture left by another commenter in that Puck Daddy post shows with more lines that the net is only 80 pixels tall in the image, while the distance from the puck to the ice is 91 pixels. 11 pixels isn’t all that much but it’s still something.

I say it was no goal. But what do I know? Onto the picks!

#2 Boston Bruins @ #9 New Jersey Devils

Eric – Bruins - Both teams are hot, I’m going with the Bruins.
Rory – Bruins - I hate the Devils.

#28 Atlanta Thrashers @ #30 New York Islanders

Eric – Thrashers - This could be a contender for the worst game in the history of the NHL.
Rory – Thrashers - This is like picking between getting poked in my right eye or my left eye.

#7 Washington Capitals @ #4 New York Rangers

Eric – Rangers - I just can’t pick against them.
Rory – Rangers - Good Lord I hope I’m right. Washington’s going to be looking for someone to embarrass after coming off a 7-1 loss to the Flyers, but I think the boys can handle ‘em.

#26 Ottawa Senators @ #6 Philadelphia Flyers

Eric – Sens - Niittymaki sucks. A lot.
Rory – Flyers - Ottawa sucks, and Philly’s coming off a 7-1 ass-kicking session they delivered to the Caps.

#24 Los Angeles Kings @ #23 Columbus Blue Jackets

Eric – BJs - Quick gets the start for the kings tonight against Mason. Quick has played in 2 games this season and has a GAA of 4.70 and SV% .860. Good luck.
Rory – BJs - Hehe.

#25 Dallas Stars @ #20 Toronto Maple Leafs

Eric – Stars - The Leafs flew from Atlanta to Toronto last night and they have either a hurt Vesa Toskala in net or the second NHL game ever for Justin Pogge.
Rory – Stars - I just love that Dallas is all of a sudden doing amazing now that Avery’s gone. Plus Joel Lundqvist is back from his shoulder injury, so the team’s physicality is back on track.

#29 Tamba Bay Lightning @ #11 Pittsburgh Penguins

Eric – Pens - Honestly, if the Pens have trouble with the Lightning, there’s a problem there. *gimmie*
Rory – Pens - If Tampa wins this, we can all go ice skating in Hell. *gimmie*

#17 Nashville Predators @ # 19 Florida Panthers

Eric – Panthers - Vokoun is fresh off of his shutout and they stayed put waiting for the Preds to come to town.
Rory – Preds - Jed!!!

#27 St. Louis Blues @ #3 Detroit Red Wings

Eric – Wings - Wings roll at the Joe.
Rory – Wings - Really?

#15 Carolina Hurricanes @ #18 Minnesota Wild

Eric – Wild - Backstrom vs. Ward could be very interesting. Or it could be a blowout. We’ll see.
Rory – Wild - Barring Gaborik’s groin deciding it’s time for him to take another vacation, El Wild should take this one.

#16 Phoenix Coyotes @ #22 Colorado Avalanche

Eric – Coyotes - I’m tired of the snow.
Rory – Avs - Phoenix sucks.

#13 Anahiem Mighty Ducks @ # 12 Calgary Flames

Eric – Flames - The Ducks almost battled back to tie the game last night against the Canucks. But let’s see how they do against a better goalie in Miikka Kiprusoff.
Rory – Ducks - Why not?

#10 Vancouver Canucks @ #1 San Jose Sharks

Eric – Sharks - Canucks are tired, Sharks are good.
Rory – Sharks - Rejection Wrath of Henrik Lundqvist!!!

5-hole.com Pick ‘em – I got nothing – 12/22/08

Eric — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 23:43:10 +0000

Marc will be taking a short break from Pick ‘em as he is out of the country.

Straight to the picks today!

#13 Pittsburgh Penguins @ #15 Buffalo Sabres

Eric – Penguins – That’s the hooker you asspunched! Also, they’re due.
Rory – Sabres – Kick Crosby’s ass so he won’t punch you in the crotch.

#21 Toronto Maple Leafs @ #28 Atlanta Thrashers

Eric – Leafs – The only thrash the Thrashers have is Ilya Kovalchuk.
Rory – Leafs – Toronto’s not doin so bad lately. Atlanta on the other hand has lost like 153 games in a row. *gimmie*

#16 Phoenix Coyotes @ #24 Edmonton Oilers

Eric – Coyotes – The Oilers are 4-5-3 at Rexall Place this season. The Coyotes are terrible on the road. The coin just landed heads.
Rory – Coyotes – Why not?

#12 Anaheim Ducks @ #11 Vancouver Canucks

Eric – Ducks – The Ducks just lost their goal scoring leader for 4 weeks due to self inflicted injury but they have Jonas Hiller in net! Go Team Fuckin’ Awesome! *gimmie*
Rory – Ducks – I officially want Vancouver to go down the tubes so $undin can know the wrath that befalls those who reject Henrik Lundqvist. He took you out to dinner, and you don’t even bother to call! I imagine the HL Wrath of Rejection is quite frightening, considering how he acts when he loses a game.

5-hole.com Pick ‘em – Marc sucks – 12/18/08

Eric — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 23:45:33 +0000

No, Mats Sundin hasn’t decided yet. About 10 minutes after this was posted, Sundin announced he will be going to the Canucks… more later

Eric’s picks:

Boston over Toronto – I’m contractually obligated to pick the Bruins every time they play. If I don’t multiple people will break my kneecaps.
Caps over St. Louis – It’s OV time!
Carolina over Florida – Craig Anderson>Tomas Vokoun. Vokoun is starting.
Pittsburgh over Atlanta – C’mon… *gimmie*
Philly over Habs – Halak starting. I don’t care if it’s in Montreal.
Colorado over TB – Mike Smith should still be in Dallas. Oh well.
SJ over Detroit – Fantasy hockey driven choice. Go Nabby!
CBJ over Stars – Another fantasy pick. Pascal Leclaire rocks!
Preds over Coyotes – Ellis is on a hot streak right now.

Marc’s picks:

I need to redeem myself… here are some high quality picks. I guarantee 7 out of 9 tonight or your money back.

Boston over Toronto – The curse of the Sundino will not stop until he signs with the Rangers.
Caps over St. Louis – Chris Mason you’re terrrrrible. Just like Man-well… (inside joke) *gimmie*
Carolina over Florida – Is it a bad sign if most observers think the backup goalie is better? What about if the starter is making $5.5 million? I’m looking at you Vokoun.
Pittsburgh over Atlanta – Pittsburgh is not Ottawa. Their forwards will actually shoot the puck and they backcheck.
Montreal over Phi – Can’t they both lose?
TB over Col – Raycroft is a chump.
Detroit over SJ – Both of these teams seem to be coming back to earth recently, but they both still kick ass. I’m taking the Wings at home though.
Dallas over CBJ – I can’t believe I’m actually picking Turco and the Stars, but the BJ’s are terrible on the road. Hehe.
Pho over Nsh – I wish Rick Nash played for Nashville, don’t you?

Rory’s picks:

Rory is fairly busy tonight so she has no thoughts or gimmie.

Boston over Toronto
Caps over St. Louis
Carolina over Florida
Pittsburgh over Atlanta
Montreal over Phi
Col over TB
SJ over Detroit
CBJ over Dallas
Nsh over Phx