April 30 Playoffs Live Blog

The Flyers will finally begin their Conference Semifinal series against the Boston Bruins. Also, NFL Draft.

Game 1: Bruins @ Flyers 3:00 (NBC - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Pierre McGuire) (CBC - Bob Cole and Garry Galley, SR: Elliotte Friedman)

Game 2: Predators @ Canucks 9:00 (Versus - John Forslund and Daryl Reaugh, ItG: Brian Engblom) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Scott Oake)

April 29 Playoffs Live Blog

Also, NFL Draft.

Game 1: Lightning @ Capitals 7:00 (Versus - Dave Strader and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Joe Micheletti) (TSN - Gord Miller, ItG: Pierre McGuire)

Game 6: Spurs @ Grizzlies 9:00 (ESPN - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Doris Burke)

Game 1: Red Wings @ Sharks 10:00 (Versus) (TSN - Chris Cuthbert and Ray Ferraro)

CLICK HERE TO GO TO LIVE BLOG!

Fear Of Unknown Causes Negative Reaction To Eagles' 1st Round Draft Pick

Going into the draft, fans tabbed several players as perspective Eagles. Jimmy Smith, Gabe Carimi, and once he began to fall, Prince Amukamara. Going into the draft, I admit, I had not even heard of Danny Watkins before today. Not many did.

But with the 23rd overall pick in the NFL Draft, with Jimmy Smith and Gabe Carimi still on the boards, the Eagles drafted a 26-year old offensive lineman out of Baylor. The fact that no one had this guy on their radar combined with the fact that he was 26-years old made people angry. Most rookies sign 5-year contracts and when that contract expires he is going to be 32-years old (his birthday is in November).

At first I really did not like this pick because most had Watkins in the 2nd round, then I just did not like it, and now I think I sort of do like it for the Eagles. For starters, he will be able to start immediately and replace the dreadful Max Jean-Gillies/Nick Cole combo. Secondly, while people get worked up about age, when it comes to offensive linemen, age is secondary to amount of time played. And Danny Watkins has not played a whole lot of football. That may seem like a bad thing, but really, when it comes to offensive linemen, the wear and tear over time is what ends their career, not aging. The Eagles are a team that want to contend now. Offensive line was a huge concern for the Eagles last season (secondary was as well, and despite the star potential Jimmy Smith has, Andy Reid strays away from bad character guys like Smith). Danny Watkins will be able to step in and play immediately (all the scouts and experts label him as NFL ready now) and be an instant upgrade over the trash they have protecting Vick's blindside. Reports indicate that Howard Mudd loves the guy. Lastly, the guy has quite possibly the best story in this year's draft and one scout is comparing him to Logan Mankins.

The fact of the matter is this was the Eagles' guy and they got their guy. Many projected him in the 2nd round, some had Watkins late first, but that is irrelevant now. While we can only hope the lack of past wear and tear somewhat offsets the fact he is 26-years old, the Eagles filled a need and got a draft pick who can come in, be an upgrade, and play right away on a team that can contend for a championship. Isn't that all you can really ask for?

April 28 Playoffs Live Blog

We'll also be discussing the NFL Draft. James Craven was supposed to be hosting this live blog but the link he provided does not link to his event, just a blank CiL interface with nothing to click and no reminder. Until that is fixed, I will have the live blog posted here. Here is the link to his site, as I will be out at least until 7 and may not have time to change things right away.

Game 6: Magic @ Hawks 7:30 (NBA TV)

Game 6: Lakers @ Hornets 8:00 (TNT - Kevin Harland and Reggie Miller, SR: Cheryl Miller)

Game 1: Predators @ Canucks 9:00 (Versus - John Forslund and Daryl Reaugh, ItG: Brian Engblom) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Scott Oake)

Game 6: Mavericks @ Trail Blazers 10:30 (TNT - Matt Devlin and Kevin McHale, SR: Marc Fein)

2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs Conference Semifinal Schedule

After taking seven games to finally put down the inferior Buffalo Sabres, the Philadelphia Flyers find themselves facing the same team in this year's Conference Semifinals as they did in last year's Conference Semifinals, the Boston Bruins. Last year was great and all, but since that time, both teams have gotten better. Tim Thomas has been absolutely ridiculous season, and if I am being honest, the Bruins are the team I least wanted to face in the playoffs. After what was league-wide one of the greatest first rounds ever, we move on to the 2nd round where each conference has the 1 seed, 2 seed, 3 seed, and 5 seed still alive and competing for Lord Stanley's Cup. Without further ado, here is this year's Conference Semifinal schedule. (all times ET)

Eastern Conference Semifinals

#5 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. #1 Washington Capitals

Game 1: April 29: Lightning @ Capitals 7:00 (Versus) (TSN)
Game 2: May 1: Lightning @ Capitals 7:00 (Versus - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Pierre McGuire) (CBC)
Game 3: May 3: Capitals @ Lightning 6:30 (Versus) (TSN)
Game 4: May 4: Capitals @ Lightning 7:00 (TSN)
Game 5: May 7: Lightning @ Capitals 12:30 (NBC) (TSN)
Game 6: May 9: Capitals @ Lightning TBD (Versus) (TSN)
Game 7: May 11: Lightning @ Capitals TBD (Versus) (TSN)

#3 Boston Bruins vs. #2 Philadelphia Flyers

Game 1: April 30: Bruins @ Flyers 3:00 (NBC - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Pierre McGuire) (CBC - Bob Cole and Garry Galley, SR: Elliotte Friedman)
Game 2: May 2: Bruins @ Flyers 7:30 (Versus) (TSN)
Game 3: May 4: Flyers @ Bruins 7:00 (Versus) (CBC - Bob Cole and Garry Galley, SR Elliotte Friedman)
Game 4: May 6: Flyers @ Bruins 8:00 (Versus - JIP) (CBC - Bob Cole and Garry Galley, SR: Elliotte Friedman)
Game 5: May 8: Bruins @ Flyers 3:00 (NBC) (CBC - Bob Cole and Garry Galley, SR: Elliotte Friedman)
Game 6: May 10: Flyers @ Bruins TBD (Versus) (CBC - Bob Cole and Garry Galley, SR: Elliotte Friedman)
Game 7: May 12: Bruins @ Flyers TBD (Versus) (CBC - Bob Cole and Garry Galley, SR: Elliotte Friedman)

Western Conference Semifinals

#5 Nashville Predators vs. #1 Vancouver Canucks

Game 1: April 28: Predators @ Canucks 9:00 (Versus) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Scott Oake)
Game 2: April 30: Predators @ Canucks 9:00 (Versus) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Scott Oake)
Game 3: May 3: Canucks @ Predators TBD (Versus) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Scott Oake)
Game 4: May 5: Canucks @ Predators TBD (Versus) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Scott Oake)
Game 5: May 7: Predators @ Canucks 8:00 (Versus) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Scott Oake)
Game 6: May 9: Canucks @ Predators TBD (Versus) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Scott Oake)
Game 7: May 11: Predators @ Canucks TBD (Versus) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Scott Oake)

#3 Detroit Red Wings vs. #2 San Jose Sharks

Game 1: April 29: Red Wings @ Sharks 10:00 (Versus) (TSN)
Game 2: May 1: Red Wings @ Sharks 3:00 (NBC - Dave Strader and Joe Micheletti, ItG: Darren Pang) (TSN)
Game 3: May 4: Sharks @ Red Wings 8:00 (Versus - JIP) (TSN)
Game 4: May 6: Sharks @ Red Wings 7:00 (Versus) (TSN)
Game 5: May 8: Red Wings @ Sharks 8:00 (Versus) (TSN)
Game 6: May 10: Sharks @ Red Wings TBD (Versus) (TSN)
Game 7: May 12: Red Wings @ Sharks TBD (Versus) (TSN)

April 27 Playoffs Live Blog

Game 7: Canadiens @ Bruins 7:00 (Versus - Mike Emrick, ItG: Darren Pang) (CBC - Bob Cole and Garry Galley, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Elliotte Friedman)

Game 5: 76ers @ Heat 7:00 (TNT - Marv Albert and Steve Kerr, SR: Craig Sager)

Game 7: Lightning @ Penguins 8:00 (NHL Network) (Versus - JIP) (TSN - Chris Cuthbert, ItG: Pierre McGuire)

Game 5: Grizzlies @ Spurs 8:30 (NBA TV)

Game 5: Nuggets @ Thunder 9:30 (TNT - Dick Stockton and Mike Fratello, SR: Pam Oliver)

April 26 Playoffs Live Blog

Many a loyal sports fan may be finding themselves having a heart attack or two by the end of this day.

Game 6: Bruins @ Canadiens 7:00 (NHL Network) (CBC - Bob Cole and Garry Galley, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Elliotte Friedman)

Game 7: Sabres @ Flyers 7:30 (Versus - Mike Emrick, ItG: Darren Pang) (TSN - Chris Cuthbert, ItG: Pierre McGuire)

Game 5: Hawks @ Magic 7:30 (NBA TV)

Game 5: Pacers @ Bulls 8:00 (TNT - Marv Albert and Steve Kerr, Sr: Jamie Maggio)

Game 7: Blackhawks @ Canucks 10:00 (Versus - John Forslund and Daryl Reaugh, ItG: Brian Engblom) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, SR: Scott Oake)

Game 5: Hornets @ Lakers 10:30 (TNT - Kevin Harlan and Reggie Miller, SR: Cheryl Miller)

April 25 Playoffs Live Blog

I won't be around until around 9:00, so whomever else is around can start this whenever. I'll join in later.

Game 6: Penguins @ Lightning 7:00 (Versus - Dave Strader, ItG: Darren Pang) (CBC - Dean Brown and Greg Millen, SR: Cassie Campbell-Pascal)

Game 4: Spurs @ Grizzlies 8:00 (TNT - Matt Devlin and Kevin McHale, SR: Marc Fein)

Game 5: Trail Blazers @ Mavericks 8:30 (NBA TV)

Game 6: Sharks @ Kings 10:00 (Versus) (TSN - Gord Miller, ItG: Ray Ferraro)

Game 4: Thunder @ Nuggets 10:30 (TNT - Dick Stockton and Mike Fratello, SR: Pam Oliver)

Good Sunday: 76ers And Flyers Stay Alive In The Playoffs With Thrilling Victories

I am pretty sure this Easter Sunday took 30 years off my life. At least it certainly felt like it. The team to play first today was the Sixers, who were just hoping to force a Game 5 and not get swept by the more talented Miami Heat.



In the final 8.1 seconds, LeBron missed a shot and Evan Turner made 2 FTs to give the 76ers a 4-point win.

Then it was the Flyers trying to stave off elimination. They started Michael Leighton in goal. That did not go so well. Leighton gave up 3 soft goals (Boucher replaced him in the 2nd) and the Flyer had to rally. The Flyers rallied down 2-0, down 3-1, and down 4-3 to tie the game at 4. They sent it to overtime tied at 4 whereupon Ville Leino scored the game-winner to force a Game 7.



Game 7, Tuesday night. Wells Fargo Center. Sabres at Flyers. It will come down to one game.

But if those moments were not good enough, Shane Victorino hit an inside-the-park home run en route to the Phillies beating the San Diego Padres 3-0 and completing the 4-game road sweep of the Padres.

April 24 Playoffs Live Blog

2 Philadelphia teams, both on the brink of 1st round elimination. Hold me, Mommy.

Game 4: Heat @ 76ers 1:00 (ABC - Mike Tirico and Hubie Brown, SR: Heather Cox)

Game 6: Flyers @ Sabres 3:00 (NBC - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Darren Pang) (TSN)

Game 4: Celtics @ Knicks 3:30 (ABC - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Lisa Salters)

Game 6: Ducks @ Predators 6:00 (TSN - Chris Cuthbert, ItG: Pierre McGuire)

Game 4: Magic @ Hawks 7:00 (TNT - Marv Albert and Steve Kerr, SR: Craig Sager)

Game 6: Canucks @ Blackhawks 7:30 (Versus - Kenny Albert and Daryl Reaugh, ItG: Darren Eliot) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, SR: Scott Oake)

Game 4: Lakers @ Hornets 9:30 (TNT - Kevin Harlan and Reggie Miller, SR: Cheryl Miller)

April 23 Playoffs Live Blog

With today being the day before the Flyers and the Sixers face network TV elimination games in the first round in the playoffs, I have decided to relax a bit today and just enjoy the other NHL and NBA playoff games today without giving the Flyers and Sixers. Hopefully a relaxed me makes for a funner live chat. For my drawn out thoughts on the Flyers and this series with Buffalo, I wrote a post last night. Aspeaking of drawn out, here is the drawn out schedule for today's games. And considering that keeping track of 6 playoff games at once like Wednesday night is quite difficult to me, the drawn out nature of today is quite refreshing for me.

Game 5: Lightning @ Penguins 12:00 (Versus) (CBC - Dean Brown and Greg Millen, SR: Cassie Campbell-Pascal)

Game 4: Bulls @ Pacers 2:30 (TNT - Dick Stockton and Mike Fratello, SR: Jamie Maggio)

Game 5: Rangers @ Capitals 3:00 (NBC - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Pierre McGuire) (TSN)

Game 4: Mavericks @ Trail Blazers 5:00 (TNT - Matt Devlin and Kevin McHale, SR: Marty Snider)

Game 5: Canadiens @ Bruins 7:00 (Versus - Dave Strader, ItG: Darren Pang) (CBC - Bob Cole and Garry Galley, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Elliotte Friedman)

Game 3: Spurs @ Grizzlies 7:30 (ESPN - Terry Gannon and Tim Legler, SR: Ric Bucher)

Game 3: Thunder @ Nuggets 10:00 (ESPN - Dave Pasch and Doris Burke, SR: Holly Rowe)

Game 5: Kings @ Sharks 10:30 (Versus) (TSN - Gord Miller and Ray Ferraro, SR: Sheri Forde)

Separating Fact From Fiction As The Flyers Are Pushed To The Brink

That sucked. A terrible 1st period. Michael Leighton playing hockey from the Flyers. Battling back from down 3-0 to tie the game only to lose in overtime and be down in the series 3-2. Not a great feeling.

But as the series winds to Game 7, it is important to separate some Flyers facts from myths. Why? I do not know, I just watched my team lose a playoff heartbreaker and want to write about something.

Myth: The Flyers have terrible goaltending all the way around.

Fact: Despite a terrible 1st period from Brian Boucher and a bad rebound given up by Michael Leighton which led to the game-winning goal, the only goaltending problem the Flyers have is Peter Laviolette's insertion of Michael Leighton as a back-up goaltender over Sergei Bobrovsky. While Bob has had a better year than Boucher, Bob's longest season in the past was 31 games and this is his first full year in North America. While I believe all the talk that about him being worn down is nonsense, I cannot say that with absolute certainty as I have never been able to meet with him personally. Even still, I would much prefer a worn out Bob on the bench or as a starter than Michael Leighton, who is one of the worst goaltenders to play in the NHL since 1998.

As far as Boucher and Bobrovsky go, they are not a weakness on the team. The league average even-strength save percentage, the best metric we currently have for goaltenders, in the NHL this year was .919. Bobrovsky and Boucher combined to have an even-strength save percentage of .923. That is .004 higher than league average and when you consider that most goaltenders in the NHL fall between .900 and .930 in ESS%, that is pretty statistically significant. So when anybody watches Bobrovsky and Boucher this year and concludes that the Flyers have a goalie problem, they are factually wrong. Game 5 tonight was one of, if not the first game this season the Flyers lost directly because of goaltending issues.

Myth: The Buffalo Sabres currently have a 3-2 series lead, and are therefore a better team than the Flyers.

Fact: No matter what the series score is now or what it ends up being, this fact will remain true: the 2010-2011 Buffalo Sabres are not a better hockey team than the 2010-2011 Philadelphia Flyers. While some may look at this and say Justin is being a sore loser and a blind homer, look at any advanced statistics which analyze the game at deeper levels and you will see this is true, almost painfully at times. There is more to hockey than scoring goals and goalies making saves. The Flyers and the Sabres have played six games thus far in the month of April 2011, five of which have been playoff games, and in all six games, the Flyers outplayed their Buffalo opposition. Look at Corsi (total shot differential, including blocked shots) and you will see the Flyers have the upper edge. Look at scoring chances for each game as tabulated by SB Nation blogs Die By The Blade (Sabres) and Broad Street Hockey (Flyers). The scoring chances by most counts are at worst even and at best in favor of the Flyers.

It has been proven there is no such thing as a hockey team that shoots efficiently, just teams that generate shots or not. So when you measure how good a team is, you do not go by goal scoring metrics, but rather by shot and chance producing metrics (shots on goal alone are a dangerous stat to play with as they are very much subject to score effects; a team trailing is going to push the situation more and force more shots on net than a team with the lead, if you want to come to any meaningful conclusions using shots on goal alone, your best hope is to go by shots on goal solely at even strength in tie game situations). And these shot and chance generating metrics have been won, at times convincingly so, by the Flyers in all six games. The Flyers are the better team on paper, even without their best player (Chris Pronger). They match up well with the Sabres and have been the better team thus far in this series. But the simple truth is a whole lot of luck has not been on their side, and in large part that is a lot of what playoff hockey comes down to. In large part, that luck has come in the form of the officials. Bad officiating decisions were the dominant story in Games 2 and 3, and a bad call in Game 5 led to a Sabres 4-on-3 power play goal. Obviously other factors certainly played into this one, but this did end up as a 1-goal game.

For instances of luck preventing the best possible teams from advancing, take a look at last year's playoffs, for example. The 2010 Canadiens were not a better team than the 2010 Washington Capitals. The 2010 Canadiens were not a better team than the 2010 Pittsburgh Penguins. The 2010 Philadelphia Flyers were not the best team in the Eastern Conference (if you adjust the standings to the pre lockout days before a tie game after 65 minutes of hockey went to a roulette wheel spin, the Flyers were better than 7th, but still far from the best). Luck plays an integral part in sports. Just re-watch the 2010 NLCS for further proof of that.

Much will be made about the Flyers being shutout by Ryan Miller in Games 1 and 4, but if one of the worst goalies to play in the NHL since 1998 and face 2000 or more shots can get three shutouts in five Eastern Conference Finals games, doesn't say there is more to goaltending than pure goalie skill? The same conclusion can be drawn using Roberto Luongo getting yanked in the past 2 Western Conference quarterfinals games against the Blackhawks. Play both of those series a million times, and that same number of those events will rarely repeat itself.

The point being, just because events happen, even in a 7-game series, does not mean they are in any way indicative of true talent levels. Michael Leighton is a terrible, terrible goaltender, yet he has tied an NHL playoff series record with 3 shutouts. It is not that the Washington Capitals can't win in the playoffs, it's just they haven't won in the playoffs. Regardless of who wins this series, the 2010-2011 Philadelphia Flyers are a better hockey team than the 2010-2011 Buffalo Sabres. That is a fact that can be supported with numerical evidence.

Myth: If the Sabres win the series, we can all point and laugh and mock at how wrong this post and that last statement is.

Fact: The 2010-2011 Philadelphia Flyers are a better hockey team than the 2010-2011 Buffalo Sabres. One or two more games, regardless of result, will not change that.

Myth: The Sabres have exhausted their supply of great saves and luck, therefore, they must win Game 6 or 7 with skill alone.

Fact: Much like a coin, a bouncing puck has no memory. Flip a coin 100 times, and the odds are you will get streaks of six straight heads or six straight tails at least three times. Just because something happened one game, does not mean the opposite will happen the next game or that the same thing will happen again in the next game. The puck will bounce where the puck bounces. The referee, potentially one yet to work a game in this series, will call what he calls. The shots will go where they go. As a fan, you can only hope these things break your way.

April 22 Playoffs Live Blog

It's Game 5 of the Sabres-Flyers series, Chris Pronger and Jeff Carter have both been ruled out for the rest of the series, and I am a nervous wreck. Here is the schedule for today. Enjoy the games and leave comments. LET'S GO FLY-ERS!

Game 3: Celtics @ Knicks 7:00 (ESPN - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Lisa Salters)

Game 5: Sabres @ Flyers 7:30 (Versus - John Forslund, ItG: Brian Engblom) (TSN - Chris Cuthbert, ItG: Pierre McGuire)

Game 3: Magic @ Hawks 8:00 (ESPN2 - Dan Shulman and Jon Barry, SR: Ric Bucher)

Game 3: Lakers @ Hornets 9:30 (ESPN - Mike Tirico and Hubie Brown, SR: Heather Cox)

Game 5: Predators @ Ducks 10:00 (Versus) (TSN)

April 21 Playoffs Live Blog

I will consider it a success if the 76ers can manage to not lose by 20 or more this time around. Enjoy the games and leave comments in the live blog below.

Game 3: Bulls @ Pacers 7:00 (NBA TV)

Game 4: Bruins @ Canadiens 7:00 (Versus - Kenny Albert, ItG: Darren Pang) (CBC - Bob Cole and Garry Galley, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Elliotte Friedman)

Game 3: Heat @ 76ers 8:00 (TNT - Marv Albert and Steve Kerr, SR: Craig Sager)

Game 5: Blackhawks @ Canucks 10:00 (Versus) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, SR: Scott Oake)

Game 4: Sharks @ Kings 10:30 (TSN - Gord Miller, ItG: Ray Ferraro)

Game 3: Mavericks @ Trail Blazers 10:30 (TNT - Matt Devlin and Kevin McHale, SR: Marty Snider)

Brian Engblom Had Quite The Unfortunate Slip Of The Tongue

Yes, you heard correct. Brian Engblom called Jiri Hudler, "Hitler" by mistake. And yes, he did this on April 20, Hitler's birthday. I always enjoy hearing new and creative slips of the tongue, and this one certainly fits that billing. Well done, Brian Engblom. Well done.

April 20 Playoffs Live Blog

I had class last night and lost track of time, and could only quickly post an open thread before I left for class. Naturally, one of the greatest Stanley Cup Playoff games ever happened. I am living tonight's games. Naturally, there will be eight blowouts tonight. Enjoy the games blowouts and leave comments.

Game 4: Capitals @ Rangers 7:00 (Versus - Mike Emrick, ItG: Darren Pang) (TSN - Chris Cuthbert, ItG: Pierre McGuire)

Game 4: Penguins @ Lightning 7:00 (CBC - Dean Brown and Greg Millen, SR: Cassie Campbell-Pascal)

Game 4: Flyers @ Sabres 7:30 (Versus - JIP) (TSN2)

Game 2: Nuggets @ Thunder 8:00 (TNT - Dick Stockton and Mike Fratello, SR: Pam Oliver)

Game 4: Ducks @ Predators 8:30 (TSN - JIP)

Game 2: Grizzlies @ Spurs 8:30 (NBA TV)

Game 4: Red Wings @ Coyotes 10:30 (Versus - John Forslund, ItG: Brian Engblom) (CBC - Mark Lee and Kevin Weekes, SR: Mitch Peacock)

Game 2: Hornets @ Lakers 10:30 (TNT - Kevin Harlan and Reggie Miller, SR: Cheryl Miller)

Failure On Figueroa: Sharks Complete Improbable 4-0 Comeback

Only four times in the history of the Stanley Cup Playoffs has a team been down by four or more goals in a playoff game and comeback to win. Thanks to a 4-0 early 2nd period Kings lead followed in a few hours by a remarkable comeback and an overtime game-winner from Devin Setoguchi, the 2011 San Jose Sharks can say they are one of those four teams with their 6-5 overtime win tonight at Staples Center in what will surely go down as one of the greatest games in Stanley Cup Playoff history.

The other three 4-or-more goal comebacks in the Stanley Cup Playoffs:

1971: Habs beat the Bruins 7-5 after trailing by 4. The Bruins are on the bad side of this chronology. Imagine that.

1982: The Miracle On Manchester. This is the only 5-goal comeback in the history of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It's also the subject of one of this year's History Will Be Made commercials. The Oilers were up 5-0 after 2 periods. The Oilers lost that game 6-5. Ironically enough, the Los Angeles Kings won this game.

1985: Minnesota North Stars beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-4 after trailing 4-0. The North Stars are the only team to have such a comeback in a game in a playoff series, and still lose the playoff series. The '71 Habs would go on to win the Stanley Cup. The 82 Kings got eliminated in the next round.

Congrats to the San Jose Sharks and their fans for what will surely be known as one of the greatest games in Stanley Cup Playoff history. If you think about how long the Stanley Cup Playoffs date back to, and then when you consider that a 4-goal comeback has only happened 4 times in that lengthy history, you know you have witnessed something special.

April 19 Playoffs Open Thread

Enjoy the games and leave comments!

Game 2: Knicks @ Celtics 7:00 (TNT - Marv Albert and Steve Kerr, SR: David Aldridge)

Game 2: Hawks @ Magic 7:30 (NBA TV)

Game 4: Canucks @ Blackhawks 8:00 (Versus - Dave Strader and Daryl Reaugh, ItG: Darren Eliot) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, SR: Scott Oake)

Game 2: Trail Blazers @ Mavericks 9:30 (TNT - Matt Devlin and Kevin McHale, SR: Marty Snider)

Game 3: Sharks @ Kings 10:30 (Versus) (TSN - Gord Miller, ItG: Ray Ferraro)

April 18 Playoffs Live Blog

I'm gone from 6 to 9. Hopefully someone will be around to start this up once the games start. The Flyers, Phillies, and 76ers all play tonight at 7 (two of which are obviously playoff games), and I will miss at least 2/3 of all of them. Missing this class is not an option for me. Bleh. Anyway, here is the schedule. Enjoy the games!

Game 3: Flyers @ Sabres 7:00 (Versus - Kenny Albert, ItG: Darren Pang) (TSN - Chris Cuthbert, ItG: Pierre McGuire)

Game 2: 76ers @ Heat 7:00 (TNT - Kevin Harlan and Reggie Miller, SR: Craig Sager)

Game 3: Bruins @ Canadiens 7:30 (CBC - Bob Cole and Garry Galley, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Elliotte Friedman)

Game 3: Penguins @ Lightning 7:30 (Versus - JIP) (CBC - Dean Brown and Greg Millen, SR: Cassie Campbell-Pascal)

Game 2: Pacers @ Bulls 9:30 (TNT - Dick Stockton and Chris Webber, SR: Jamie Maggio)

Game 3: Red Wings @ Coyotes 10:30 (Versus - John Forslund, ItG: Brian Engblom) (CBC - Mark Lee and Kevin Weekes, SR: Mitch Peacock)

Sergei Bobrovsky: From Playoff Starter To Sitting In The Press Box Without An Injury

After starting Game 1 and 2 of the Conference Quarterfinals, Sergei Bobrovsky will find himself in a new role for Game 3: sitting in the press box as Brian Boucher starts and Michael Leighton backs him up on the bench.

I said on Twitter and perhaps even in the live blog on Saturday that I would much prefer to have Boucher coming in off the bench to relieve Bob than Bob coming in off the bench to relieve Boucher. That being said, I would much rather have a toddler come off the bench to relieve Boucher than Michael freakin' Leighton, who is not very good at hockey.

As far as Laviolette' reasons for doing so: I do not know. Starting Brian Boucher in this game is not the worst decision he has ever made. Boucher and Bobrovsky have sort of been 1A and 1B all year. Bob started 52 games, Boucher started 29 games, and Leighton started 1 game against Los Angeles for shits and giggles. Much was made about the calming influence Boucher brought to the team once he came in for Bobrovsky in Game 2. That could be a part of it. Another part of it could be the following quotes from Bobrovsky gathered by Teemu H, the guy in charge for following Flyers prospects in Europe.

"Physically I'm feeling normal. Mentally... not really. But I'll get over it soon." - Bobrovsky on last game.

"Whatever the coach decides, so be it. I will accept any decision." - Bobrovsky on who starts Game 3.

"I let in 3 goals. It's my job to stop the puck. 3 goals on 7 shots. That's unacceptable. Thanks to the guys we won." - Bob on his game.

Maybe the benching has something to do with this. Maybe it does not. I have no problem with Boucher starting Game 3 of the playoffs tonight. He has performed fine for the Flyers all year. But should Boucher he falter, the last person I want to see between the pipes for the Flyers is Michael Leighton.

April 18 Is A Slightly Busy Day

Flyers vs. Sabres: Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. 7:00.
76ers vs. Heat: Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals 7:00.
Brewers vs. Phillies: A Joe Blanton pitched game. 7:00.

And I have a class from 6 to 9 that I can't miss.

F. M. L.

April 17 Playoffs Live Blog

One day after Philadelphia teams combined for a unique cycle (Flyers win, Union draw, Sixers loss, Phillies rain out), the playoffs go away from Philadelphia for the day as 4 more NBA series up including their best of the 8 (Nuggets-Thunder) and 3 NHL series head to a Game 3. So join us for the all day live blog. We're starting for the Memphis vs. San Antonio tip and ending at the conclusion of Nuggets-Thunder. So enjoy the games and leave comments!

Game 1: Grizzlies @ Spurs 1:00 (TNT - Matt Devlin and Kevin McHale, SR: Marc Fein)

Game 3: Capitals @ Rangers 3:00 (NBC - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Darren Pang) (TSN)

Game 1: Hornets @ Lakers 3:30 (ABC - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Lisa Salters)

Game 3: Ducks @ Predators 6:00 (TSN - Chris Cuthbert, ItG: Pierre McGuire)

Game 1: Knicks @ Celtics 7:00 (TNT - Marv Albert and Steve Kerr, SR: David Aldridge)

Game 3: Canucks @ Blackhawks 8:00 (Versus - Ken Daniels and Daryl Reaugh, ItG: Darren Eliot) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, SR: Scott Oake)

Game 1: Nuggets @ Thunder 9:30 (TNT - Ian Eagle and Mike Fratello, SR: Pam Oliver)

April 16 Playoffs Open Thread/Live Blog

I will be out early tomorrow afternoon. So unless someone else will be around to take over (and if you are, by all means, do so), the live blog will not start until I return sometime in the afternoon. Today the 76ers open their series against Miami, the Flyers try to even their series against the Sabres, and not playoff related, but the Philadelphia Union will play in PPL Park Lake, all right around the exact same time. It's gonna be a busy day, so enjoy the games and leave comments!

Game 2: Coyotes @ Red Wings 1:00 (NBC - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Darren Pang) (CBC - Mark Lee and Kevin Weekes, SR: Mitch Peacock)

Game 1: Pacers @ Bulls 1:00 (ESPN - Dan Shulman and Jon Barry, SR: Ric Bucher)

Game 1: 76ers @ Heat 3:30 (ABC - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Lisa Salters)

Game 2: Sabres @ Flyers 5:00 (TSN - Chris Cuthbert, ItG: Pierre McGuire)

Game 2: Canadiens @ Bruins 7:00 (Versus - Dave Strader, ItG: Darren Eliot) (CBC - Bob Cole and Garry Galley, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Elliotte Friedman)

Game 1: Hawks @ Magic 7:00 (ESPN - Mike Tirico and Hubie Brown, SR: Heather Cox)

Game 1: Trail Blazers @ Mavericks 9:30 (ESPN - Dave Pasch and Doris Burke, SR: Holly Rowe)

Game 2: Kings @ Sharks 10:00 (Versus) (TSN - Gord Miller, ItG: Ray Ferraro)

April 15 Playoffs Open Thread

It's just an open thread tonight unless Mookie and Keith decide to put something up. I will have a live blog up for tomorrow's festivities, though. Here is your schedule for today. Enjoy the games and leave comments!

Game 2: Lightning @ Penguins 7:00 (CBC - Dean Brown and Greg Millen, SR: Cassie Campbell-Pascal)

Game 2: Rangers @ Capitals 7:30 (Versus - Ken Daniels and Daryl Reaugh, ItG: Darren Eliot) (TSN - Chris Cuthbert, ItG: Pierre McGuire)

Game 2: Blackhawks @ Canucks 10:00 (Versus - John Forslund, ItG: Brian Engblom) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, SR: Scott Oake)

Game 2: Predators @ Ducks 10:30 (TSN)

2011 NBA Playoffs Conference Quarterfinal Schedule

The Philadelphia 76ers will finally get some national exposure as they play everyone's favorite overly talked about team, the Miami Heat. Here is your much easier to put together 2011 NBA Conference Quarterfinals schedule! (all times ET)

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

#8 Indiana Pacers vs. #1 Chicago Bulls

Game 1: April 16: Pacers @ Bulls 1:00 (ESPN - Dan Shulman and Jon Barry, SR: Ric Bucher)
Game 2: April 18: Pacers @ Bulls 9:30 (TNT - Dick Stockton and Chris Webber, SR: Jamie Maggio)
Game 3: April 21: Bulls @ Pacers 7:00 (NBA TV)
Game 4: April 23: Bulls @ Pacers 2:30 (TNT - Dick Stockton and Mike Fratello, SR: Jamie Maggio)
Game 5: April 26: Pacers @ Bulls TBD
Game 6: April 28: Bulls @ Pacers TBD
Game 7: April 30: Pacers @ Bulls TBD (TNT)

#7 Philadelphia 76ers vs. #2 Miami Heat

Game 1: April 16: 76ers @ Heat 3:30 (ABC - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Lisa Salters)
Game 2: April 18: 76ers @ Heat 7:00 (TNT - Kevin Harlan and Reggie Miller, SR: Craig Sager)
Game 3: April 21: Heat @ 76ers 8:00 (TNT - Marv Albert and Steve Kerr, SR: Craig Sager)
Game 4: April 24: Heat @ 76ers 1:00 (ABC)
Game 5: April 27: 76ers @ Heat TBD
Game 6: April 29: Heat @ 76ers TBD
Game 7: May 1: 76ers @ Heat TBD

#6 New York Knicks vs. #3 Boston Celtics

Game 1: April 17: Knicks @ Celtics 7:00 (TNT - Marv Albert and Steve Kerr, SR: David Aldridge)
Game 2: April 19: Knicks @ Celtics 7:00 (TNT - Marv Albert and Steve Kerr, SR: David Aldridge)
Game 3: April 22: Celtics @ Knicks 7:00 (ESPN)
Game 4: April 24: Celtics @ Knicks 3:30 (ABC)
Game 5: April 26: Knicks @ Celtics TBD
Game 6: April 29: Celtics @ Knicks TBD
Game 7: May 1: Knicks @ Celtics TBD

#5 Atlanta Hawks vs. #4 Orlando Magic

Game 1: April 16: Hawks @ Magic 7:00 (ESPN - Mike Tirico and Hubie Brown, SR: Heather Cox)
Game 2: April 19: Hawks @ Magic 7:30 (NBA TV)
Game 3: April 22: Magic @ Hawks 8:00 (ESPN2)
Game 4: April 24: Magic @ Hawks 7:00 (TNT - Marv Albert and Steve Kerr, SR: Craig Sager)
Game 5: April 26: Hawks @ Magic TBD
Game 6: April 28: Magic @ Hawks TBD
Game 7: April 30: Hawks @ Magic TBD (TNT)

Western Conference Quarterfinals

#8 Memphis Grizzlies vs. #1 San Antonio Spurs

Game 1: April 17: Grizzlies @ Spurs 1:00 (TNT - Matt Devlin and Kevin McHale, SR: Marc Fein)
Game 2: April 20: Grizzlies @ Spurs 8:30 (NBA TV)
Game 3: April 23: Spurs @ Grizzlies 7:30 (ESPN)
Game 4: April 25: Spurs @ Grizzlies TBD
Game 5: April 27: Grizzlies @ Spurs TBD
Game 6: April 29: Spurs @ Grizzlies TBD
Game 7: May 1: Grizzlies @ Spurs TBD

#7 New Orleans Hornets vs. #2 Los Angeles Lakers

Game 1: April 17: Hornets @ Lakers 3:30 (ABC - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Lisa Salters)
Game 2: April 20: Hornets @ Lakers 10:30 (TNT - Kevin Harlan and Reggie Miller, SR: Cheryl Miller)
Game 3: April 22: Lakers @ Hornets 9:30 (ESPN)
Game 4: April 24: Lakers @ Hornets 9:30 (TNT - Kevin Harlan and Reggie Miller, SR: Cheryl Miller)
Game 5: April 26: Hornets @ Lakers TBD
Game 6: April 28: Lakers @ Hornets TBD
Game 7: April 30: Hornets @ Lakers TBD (TNT)

#6 Portland Trail Blazers vs. #3 Dallas Mavericks

Game 1: April 16: Trail Blazers @ Mavericks 9:30 (ESPN - Dave Pasch and Doris Burke, SR: Holly Rowe)
Game 2: April 19: Trail Blazers @ Mavericks 9:30 (TNT - Matt Devlin and Kevin McHale, SR: Marty Snider)
Game 3: April 21: Mavericks @ Trail Blazers 10:30 (TNT - Matt Devlin and Kevin McHale, SR: Marty Snider)
Game 4: April 23: Mavericks @ Trail Blazers 5:00 (TNT - Matt Devlin and Kevin McHale, SR: Marty Snider)
Game 5: April 25: Trail Blazers @ Mavericks TBD
Game 6: April 28: Mavericks @ Trail Blazers TBD
Game 7: April 30: Trail Blazers @ Mavericks TBD (TNT)

#5 Denver Nuggets vs. #4 Oklahoma City Thunder

Game 1: April 17: Nuggets @ Thunder 9:30 (TNT - Ian Eagle and Mike Fratello, SR: Pam Oliver)
Game 2: April 20: Nuggets @ Thunder 8:00 (TNT - Dick Stockton and Mike Fratello, SR: Pam Oliver)
Game 3: April 23: Thunder @ Nuggets 10:00 (ESPN)
Game 4: April 25: Thunder @ Nuggets 10:30 (TNT)
Game 5: April 27: Nuggets @ Thunder TBD
Game 6: April 29: Thunder @ Nuggets TBD
Game 7: May 1: Nuggets @ Thunder TBD

April 14 Playoffs Live Blog

Game 1: Canadiens @ Bruins 7:00 (Versus - Dave Strader, ItG: Darren Pang) (CBC - Bob Cole and Garry Galley, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Elliotte Friedman)

Game 1: Sabres @ Flyers 7:30 (Versus - JIP) (TSN)

Game 1: Kings @ Sharks 10:00 (Versus) (TSN - Gord Miller, ItG: Ray Ferraro)

April 13 Playoffs Open Thread Live Blog

Like years past, throughout this post-season, I will post an open thread or a live blog every day there are playoff games. Unlike in years past, I will hope to do more live blogs than before. I would anticipate the first one of these coming up on Friday or Saturday, though it is certainly fair to say that my mind is not made up yet. Regardless, here is your open thread for today. NBA Playoffs do not start until Saturday so it is all NHL for today, tomorrow, and Friday. Enjoy the games and leave comments!

MOOKIE HAS A LIVE BLOG UP! GO THERE!

Game 1: Coyotes @ Red Wings 7:00 (Versus - Mike Emrick, ItG: Darren Pang) (CBC - Mark Lee and Kevin Weekes, SR: Mitch Peacock)

Game 1: Lightning @ Penguins 7:00 (CBC - Dean Brown and Greg Millen, SR: Cassie Campbell-Pascal)

Game 1: Rangers @ Capitals 7:30 (Versus - JIP) (TSN - Chris Cuthbert, ItG: Pierre McGuire)

Game 1: Blackhawks @ Canucks 10:00 (Versus - John Forslund, ItG: Brian Engblom) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, SR: Scott Oake)

Game 1: Predators @ Ducks 10:30 (TSN)

2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs Conference Quarterfinal Schedule

Sorry about the delay in this. At first I was waiting for information. Then 6 hours and 45 minutes of college courses slapped me right in the face on Tuesday. I was hoping to post more announcers then what is shown below but unfortunately a lack of confirmation from TSN and Versus is preventing me from doing so. Thus, I can only list very few Versus announcers, none of TSN's announcers, the NBC announcers for the first weekend and all CBC announcers. I will put in TSN and Versus announcers when I post the games in front of the open threads/live blogs that you will see here throughout the next couple of months. Of course, this is a national TV schedule. If you want to see what channel the Flyers can be seen locally, check out my Philly Sports Schedule for April (all times ET)

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

#8 New York Rangers vs. #1 Washington Capitals

Game 1: April 13: Rangers @ Capitals 7:30 (Versus) (TSN)
Game 2: April 15: Rangers @ Capitals 7:30 (Versus - Ken Daniels and Daryl Reaugh, ItG: Darren Eliot) (TSN)
Game 3: April 17: Capitals @ Rangers 3:00 (NBC - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Darren Pang) (TSN)
Game 4: April 20: Capitals @ Rangers 7:00 (Versus - Mike Emrick, ItG: Darren Pang) (TSN)
Game 5: April 23: Rangers @ Capitals 3:00 (NBC - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Pierre McGuire) (TSN)
Game 6: April 25: Capitals @ Rangers TBD (TSN)
Game 7: April 27: Rangers @ Capitals TBD (TSN)

#7 Buffalo Sabres vs. #2 Philadelphia Flyers

Game 1: April 14: Sabres @ Flyers 7:30 (Versus) (TSN)
Game 2: April 16: Sabres @ Flyers 5:00 (TSN)
Game 3: April 18: Flyers @ Sabres 7:00 (Versus - Kenny Albert, ItG: Pierre McGuire) (TSN)
Game 4: April 20: Flyers @ Sabres 7:30 (Versus) (TSN2)
Game 5: April 22: Sabres @ Flyers 7:30 (Versus) (TSN)
Game 6: April 24: Flyers @ Sabres 3:00 (NBC - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Darren Pang) (TSN)
Game 7: April 26: Sabres @ Flyers TBD (TSN)

#6 Montreal Canadiens vs. #3 Boston Bruins

Game 1: April 14: Canadiens @ Bruins 7:00 (Versus - Dave Strader, ItG: Darren Pang) (CBC - Bob Cole and Garry Galley, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Elliotte Friedman)
Game 2: April 16: Canadiens @ Bruins 7:00 (Versus - Dave Strader and Darren Eliot) (CBC - Bob Cole and Garry Galley, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Elliotte Friedman)
Game 3: April 18: Bruins @ Canadiens 7:30 (CBC - Bob Cole and Garry Galley, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Elliotte Friedman)
Game 4: April 21: Bruins @ Canadiens 7:00 (Versus - Kenny Albert, ItG: Darren Pang) (CBC - Bob Cole and Garry Galley, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Elliotte Friedman)
Game 5: April 23: Canadiens @ Bruins 7:00 (Versus - Dave Strader, ItG: Darren Pang) (CBC - Bob Cole and Garry Galley, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Elliotte Friedman)
Game 6: April 26: Bruins @ Canadiens TBD (CBC - Bob Cole and Garry Galley, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Elliotte Friedman)
Game 7: April 27: Canadiens @ Bruins TBD (CBC - Bob Cole and Garry Galley, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Elliotte Friedman)

#5 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. #4 Pittsburgh Penguins

Game 1: April 13: Lightning @ Penguins 7:00 (CBC - Dean Brown and Greg Millen, SR: Cassie Campbell-Pascal)
Game 2: April 15: Lightning @ Penguins 7:00 (CBC - Dean Brown and Greg Millen, SR: Cassie Campbell-Pascal)
Game 3: April 18: Penguins @ Lightning 7:30 (Versus) (CBC - Dean Brown and Greg Millen, SR: Cassie Campbell-Pascal)
Game 4: April 20: Penguins @ Lightning 7:00 (CBC - Dean Brown and Greg Millen, SR: Cassie Campbell-Pascal)
Game 5: April 23: Lightning @ Penguins TBD (Versus) (CBC - Dean Brown and Greg Millen, SR: Cassie Campbell-Pascal)
Game 6: April 25: Penguins @ Lightning TBD (CBC - Dean Brown and Greg Millen, SR: Cassie Campbell-Pascal)
Game 7: April 27: Lightning @ Penguins TBD (CBC - Dean Brown and Greg Millen, SR: Cassie Campbell-Pascal)

Western Conference Quarterfinals

#8 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #1 Vancouver Canucks

Game 1: April 13: Blackhawks @ Canucks 10:00 (Versus - John Forslund, ItG: Brian Engblom) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, SR: Scott Oake)
Game 2: April 15: Blackhawks @ Canucks 10:00 (Versus - John Forslund, ItG: Brian Engblom) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, SR: Scott Oake)
Game 3: April 17: Canucks @ Blackhawks 8:00 (Versus - Ken Daniels and Daryl Reaugh, ItG: Darren Eliot) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, SR: Scott Oake)
Game 4: April 19: Canucks @ Blackhawks 8:00 (Versus - Dave Strader and Daryl Reaugh, ItG: Darren Eliot) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, SR: Scott Oake)
Game 5: April 21: Blackhawks @ Canucks 10:00 (Versus) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, SR: Scott Oake)
Game 6: April 24: Canucks @ Blackhawks 7:30 (Versus - TBD, ItG: Darren Eliot) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, SR: Scott Oake)
Game 7: April 26: Blackhawks @ Canucks TBD (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, SR: Scott Oake)

#7 Los Angeles Kings vs. #2 San Jose Sharks

Game 1: April 14: Kings @ Sharks 10:00 (Versus) (TSN)
Game 2: April 16: Kings @ Sharks 10:00 (Versus) (TSN)
Game 3: April 19: Sharks @ Kings 10:30 (Versus) (TSN)
Game 4: April 21: Sharks @ Kings 10:30 (TSN)
Game 5: April 23: Kings @ Sharks 10:30 (Versus) (TSN)
Game 6: April 25: Sharks @ Kings TBD (TSN)
Game 7: April 27: Kings @ Sharks TBD (TSN)

#6 Phoenix Coyotes vs. #3 Detroit Red Wings

Game 1: April 13: Coyotes @ Red Wings 7:00 (Versus - Mike Emrick, ItG: Darren Pang) (CBC - Mark Lee and Kevin Weekes, SR: Mitch Peacock)
Game 2: April 16: Coyotes @ Red Wings 1:00 (NBC - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Darren Pang) (CBC - Mark Lee and Kevin Weekes, SR: Mitch Peacock)
Game 3: April 18: Red Wings @ Coyotes 10:30 (Versus - John Forslund, ItG: Brian Engblom) (CBC - Mark Lee and Kevin Weekes, SR: Mitch Peacock)
Game 4: April 20: Red Wings @ Coyotes 10:30 (Versus - John Forslund, ItG: Brian Engblom) (CBC - Mark Lee and Kevin Weekes, SR: Mitch Peacock)
Game 5: April 22: Coyotes @ Red Wings 7:00 (Versus - John Forslund, ItG: Brian Engblom) (CBC - Mark Lee and Kevin Weekes, SR: Mitch Peacock)
Game 6: April 24: Red Wings @ Coyotes 10:30 (Versus - John Forslund, ItG: Brian Engblom) (CBC - Mark Lee and Kevin Weekes, SR: Mitch Peacock)
Game 7: April 27: Coyotes @ Red Wings TBD (CBC - Mark Lee and Kevin Weekes, SR: Mitch Peacock)

#5 Nashville Predators vs. #4 Anaheim Ducks

Game 1: April 13: Predators @ Ducks 10:30 (TSN)
Game 2: April 15: Predators @ Ducks 10:30 (TSN)
Game 3: April 17: Ducks @ Predators 6:00 (TSN)
Game 4: April 20: Ducks @ Predators 8:30 (TSN)
Game 5: April 22: Predators @ Ducks 10:00 (TSN)
Game 6: April 24: Ducks @ Predators TBD (TSN)
Game 7: April 26: Predators @ Ducks TBD (TSN)

76ers May Now Finally Get Games On National TV

All season long, the Philadelphia 76ers had one game shown on ESPN/TNT. It was a game against the Celtics. Before Christmas. And they lost.

That is not to say that the Sixers should not have gotten more attention. Despite their solid season and exciting young talents, Philadelphia does remain one of the worst NBA markets in the country. But only one game does seem a bit much, although that will quickly turn into a lot more as it is now official. The Philadelphia 76ers will begin their post-season much the same way they began their regular season. By playing LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, and six or seven other guys wearing Miami Heat uniforms. There are few instances in life where a Philadelphia sports team becomes a sentimental favorite in America. I think we have found one of those occasions.

The Heat swept the Sixers in the regular season.

And while the Sixers are facing a team that everyone knows about, the Flyers on the other hand are facing a team that people here very little about: the Buffalo Sabres. I'll post the NHL playoff schedule once Versus reveals their selective information about broadcasts tomorrow.

Sergei Bobrovsky Has Learned Quite A Bit About American Culture In 8 Months

Just check out his new playoff mask.

Your eyes are not deceiving you.  The right side of Sergei Bobrovsky's playoff mask is in fact Rocky draping the American flag over his shoulders while the left side of the mask does in fact feature the face of Sideshow Bob. Bob may very well be the greatest Russian in the history of history.

It Comes Down To Game 82 Against New York........Again

The Penguins won in a shootout and the Flyers lost in overtime. That means it all comes down to Game 82. Again. The Flyers play the New York Islanders Saturday night. The Penguins play the Thrashers Sunday afternoon. If the Flyers beat the Islanders in regulation, they will clinch the Atlantic Division title and the #2 seed. If the Flyers lose in regulation, they will need Pittsburgh to lose in regulation in order to claim the division title. If the Flyers lose in overtime/shootout, they will need the Penguins to not get 2 points in order to clinch the Atlantic Division. In short, the Flyers can prevent a crisis by beating one of the worst teams in the NHL on Saturday night.

The Flyers have not won the Atlantic Division since the lockout. That can change with a home win against the Islanders tomorrow.

Plant The Seeds [Part 1]: A Look At Stanley Cup Finalists And Winners By Seeds

Starting with the 1994 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the NHL introduced a revolutionary new concept of basing the Stanley Cup Playoffs on conferences, and not on divisions. While the number of divisions in each conference increased from two to three in 1998, the overall format of the playoffs has stayed the same: Division winners get the top seeds and are ranked by points, and the six (five starting with the 2000 Stanley Cup Playoffs) best non-division winners fill out the remaining part of the field in each conference, with again seedings being based on points. Is there a particular seed that matters? Is there a great advantage historically speaking in having the top seed over having the two seed or the four seed? In part 1 of this two part series, I will take a look at each Stanley Cup finalist by seed since the 1994 Stanley Cup Playoffs and try to see what the historical importance of the one or two seed is, if any. (note: Eastern Conference teams always listed first, regardless of seed)

1994: #1 New York Rangers vs. #7 Vancouver Canucks (winner: #1 Rangers)

1995: #5 New Jersey Devils vs. #1 Detroit Red Wings (winner: #5 Devils)

1996: #4 Florida Panthers vs. #2 Colorado Avalanche (winner: #2 Avalanche)

1997: #3 Philadelphia Flyers vs. #3 Detroit Red Wings (winner: #3 Red Wings)

1998: #4 Washington Capitals vs. #3 Detroit Red Wings (winner: #3 Red Wings)

1999: #7 Buffalo Sabres vs. #1 Dallas Stars (winner: #1 Stars)

2000: #4 New Jersey Devils vs. #2 Dallas Stars (winner: #4 Devils)

2001: #1 New Jersey Devils vs. #1 Avalanche (winner: #1 Avalanche)

2002: #3 Carolina Hurricanes vs. #1 Detroit Red Wings (winner: #1 Red Wings)

2003: #2 New Jersey Devils vs. #7 Anaheim Ducks (winner: #2 Devils)

2004: #1 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. #6 Calgary Flames (winner: #1 Lightning)

2005: Eff you, Bettman.

2006: #2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. #8 Edmonton Oilers (winner: #2 Hurricanes)

2007: #4 Ottawa Senators vs. #2 Anaheim Ducks (winner: #2 Ducks)

2008: #2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #1 Detroit Red Wings (winner: #1 Red Wings)

2009: #4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #2 Detroit Red Wings (winner: #4 Penguins)

2010: #7 Philadelphia Flyers vs. #2 Chicago Blackhawks (winner: #2 Blackhawks)

Total number of Eastern Conference Stanley Cup appearances by seed

#1: 3

#2: 3

#3: 2

#4: 5

#5: 1

#6: 0

#7: 2

#8: 0

The fact that 5 four-seeds, including 3 after the 1998 re-alignment is really quite stunning, especially when you consider that there have been a grand total of 0 four AND five seeds to reach the Stanley Cup Finals since 1994 with the start of the new system. My condolences to the two Western Conferences teams who end up with that fate.

For more telling numbers, here are the total number of Stanley Cup appearances since 1994, combining both Eastern and Western Conference teams.

#1: 8

#2: 8

#3: 4

#4: 5

#5: 1

#6: 1

#7: 4

#8: 1

When you combine the two conferences, you can see real patterns begin to emerge. The exact same number of #1 seeds have appeared in the Stanley Cup Finals then #2 seeds. In fact post-lockout, as you can see for yourself above, the #2 seed has been to the Stanley Cup finals four times while the #1 seed has only made it once (2008 Red Wings).

Now let's take a look at Stanley Cup winners by seed since 1994.

#1: 6

#2: 5

#3: 2

#4: 2

#5: 1

#6: 0

#7: 0

#8: 0

This all but confirms what I have been saying on here for the past few weeks. It is okay if the Washington Capitals win the Eastern Conference and the #1 seed. It is not okay if the Pittsburgh Penguins win the Atlantic Division and the Flyers become the #4 seed. The #1 seed has only won one more Stanley Cup than the #2 seed since the 1994 Stanley Cup Playoffs and has appeared in the same number of Stanley Cup finals as the #2 seed. While people may point to the five Eastern Conference teams to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals in the East being more than any other single seed, I can assure you that this is a number that defies all logic and probability. 4 seeds and 5 seeds not making the Stanley Cup Finals at all out of the West I think shows how much of an anomaly the five out of the East is, although that itself is probably a bit of an anomaly. Combine the higher end anomaly with the lower end anomaly, and you end up with a number (5) that fits in well with the overall trend of the data. Keep in mind, starting in 1999, the 3-seed was simply the worst of the 3 division winners and the 4-seed was the best of the non-division winners so quite frequently the 4-seed ends up being better than the 3-seed. In fact, if the season ended today, the 4th seed Penguins would finish the regular season with one more point than the 3rd seed Bruins.

The Flyers chance of being the #1 seed is now between 2 and 3 percent, according to Frank Seravalli. In order to get it, the Flyers will have to win out, have at least one of those wins not be in a shootout, and hope the Caps lose to the Panthers on Saturday. Unless the highly improbable happens, the Flyers are playing for the 2-seed, while trying to avoid the 3-seed and the 4-seed at all costs. And if the Flyers can hold off the Penguins and the Bruins to claim the 2-seed, it will not be the worst thing in the world. In fact, if recent history tells us anything, it may in fact be just as good as a #1 seed in terms of advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals.

(Part 2 of Plant The Seeds will come early next week and will take a look at the exact history since 1994 of the seed the Flyers ultimately earned.)

Untitled

Waking up in the morning and going outside is one way to tell how a day is going to go. The weather always is the first to dictate our initial mood in the morning. If it is sunny and warm, you feel good about things. If otherwise, maybe not so much. Walking outside this morning with a brown sweatshirt and jeans on, I expected to feel the moist humid air amidst a calming rain drizzle. Instead, Mother Nature greeted me with a cold breeze and a rain so ruthlessly hard, it would strike fear amongst any dark underworld ruler. I should have realized this was a sign of things to come.

I got on the shuttle and took trudged my wet shoes and socks through the puddles into the school's dining hall for breakfast. The omelette line was long but I did not care I was in the mood for a ham and cheese omelette. After waiting an agonizing ten minutes, the lady working the station eventually tells everyone in line to switch to the other side as to not to interfere with those ordering french toast, pancakes, scrambled eggs, and the like. Just at the moment we are switching sides, these three Mets fans decide to take it upon themselves to cut in front of me. I had already waited ten minutes and yet, I still found myself in the very back of the line. And while normally I would chalk it up to a rather hilarious incident of people fitting a stereotype perfectly, when I reflect back on it, it kind of makes sense. Life pushed me out of the way and said "take this" much like those obnoxious Mets fans.

This planet will hurt you. It does not matter who you are, where you are from, or what deity you believe in. This planet spares no one from pain. No one from worry. No one from fear. No one from anxiety of what you may find out tomorrow.

On the way back to my apartment at the end of the night after my 3-hour night class had concluded, I decided to call home to get updates on the Flyers score, something I always do when nights I have night classes and the Flyers are playing.

"Grandpa is in the hospital," my dad said.

A chilling feeling ran through my body. A feeling colder than than the hard cold rain of this morning. My grandfather has been battling a cough for quite literally the past month. He had already been hospitalized once for it. Now it has given him dehydration. He battled through the hospital visit the first time, and maybe he will be fine this time. But I worry.

Last month while I was on Spring Break, we were all supposed to go out for dinner at a nice restaurant. His aforementioned cold forced a cancellation of that. That day, I got a sinking feeling I might not see him again. Do not ask why I had that feeling. Maybe I was being irrationally disappointed about seeing one of the most influential people in my life. Maybe it is all a coincidence. But I think back to that and hope I will be able to see him again. Until then, I am stuck two hours away from him without a car. It is a feeling of helplessness, and one I do not like.

Minutes later my mom calls me back. The Flyers are losing 3-2. The Phillies are losing 7-1. The Sixers are losing. She does not know the Penguins score or the Capitals game. I get back to my apartment, and look them up. The Capitals are winning. The Penguins are winning. All five results hold. All five bad results for Philadelphia sports teams. It is inevitably true that what happens in the sports world pales in comparison to real life. But it felt like the icing on the cake. Anyone who has ever been kicked when they were down knows the feeling, for they are truly one and the same.

For the past few days, I began a campaign at Broad Street Hockey called "Keep Hope Alive." The Flyers have been struggling in the last month, and this is a message that implores my fellow fans that no matter how bad things get, until things are over, never give up hope. People counted them out last year at this time, and look what happened. It is why you never give up anything. It is why you always believe until the bitter end, because the reward for believing is always worth it. It is a lesson I learned when the Flyers trailed the Bruins three games to none in the 2010 Eastern Conference Semifinals, and I was the only person in my family to watch Game 4. The feeling of accomplishment, both in my team and myself for staying loyal were unparalleled feelings of joy that I hope all of you get to experience someday.

Now more than ever, I feel like I need the inspiration of my own campaign. To say I am scared to go to bed tonight is an understatement. To say that I will be scared to go to bed for many future nights is an understatement. I want so badly for my grandfather to be all right. To make it out of the hospital just fine and to go to dinner with him once again.

I called his wife this evening and I told her to tell him tomorrow when she visits that I love him. If I cannot be there in person, I at least want him to get the message that I wish to send. My grandmother passed away last summer. I hardly knew her. My grandfather, on the other hand, has shown me the world, literally and figuratively. A large part of who I am today is because of him. Even when he is long gone from this planet in the physical sense, his memory will always stay with me. I will carry it and remember him wherever I go for the rest of my life.

In a large part, I consider myself lucky. Both of my maternal grandparents are alive and in good health at the moment. My maternal grandmother may have passed away, but unfortunate circumstances prevented me from ever getting a chance to know her. My grandfather's wife, while not the most beloved person in my family, is only approaching 50. As I talked to her on the phone this evening, I remember telling her "I love you" and meaning it. I am probably the only person in my family that can sincerely say that. Through our vacations, I developed a bond with her that I do not think anyone else has. My dad and mother were alive when my late Grandmother was still healthy and living with my Grandfather. Perhaps the fact that she moved in soon after her condition forced her to move out changed their perception of her. I do not know, all I know is that I constantly hear my parents talking bad at her. And it irks me because even though she may not always know what she is doing, at least she cares to try to do something. That's special. Not everybody is as lucky as I when it comes to family situations.

Maybe everything will be all right and I will see him back up on his feet and healthy in the near future. It's all I can hope for. If for no other reason then so I can give him a proper goodbye he deserves. He is over 80-years old. For the past several decades he battled weight problems. He had heart surgery once. He will have it again back in May. I am under no belief that I have much time left. I know time is running out.

As I finish writing this it is 1:16 in the morning. It is now officially Wednesday. It's a new dawn, and a new day. I hope my grandfather pulls through and I can see him again. It will torture me for a long time if one of my last memories of him is not going to dinner with him one Saturday in March 2011. I want to hug him again; talk to him again. But even though the rain has stopped, there is still a bitter cold breeze this Wednesday night in early April. The rain last night into this afternoon turned the dead brown grass into a much more lively green color. Perhaps this is the hope I am looking for. Perhaps this means like the grass, my grandfather will once again regain his health, regain his strength, and his life. As I look out the window now and see the first visible signs of Spring under the dim lights of a college campus in rural Pennsylvania, I am once again reminded of what I implored my companions at Broad Street Hockey a few short days ago.

Keep Hope Alive.

NCAA Tournament National Championship Game Live Blog

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2011 NCAA Tournament National Championship Game Schedule

Butler was 8 pixels away from taking the championship last year. Is this their moment?

National Championship Game

Monday, April 4

Butler vs. Connecticut 9:23 (CBS - Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg, and Steve Kerr, SR: Tracy Wolfson

Of Course This Happens To The Mets

What a coincidence that this......



.....found its way onto the Mets broadcast after the Mets lost their opening day game.



Yes, that actually happened. LOL Mets.

NCAA Tournament Final 4 Live Blog

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Opening Day Part 2 Live Blog