Super Fantastic, Number One-All Time Playoff Hockey Links

1.) Habs fans put forth a better effort than "Bowser" and the Caps Rap:



Props for rocking the Expos gear (great hats) and working Youppi into the mix.

2.) As Jack Edwards would say "How's this for irony".



and here is the corresponding article from CSNNE.

3.) One level headed Wings fan is more than I thought existed.

For the full Red Wings tin-foil hat party breakdown roll on over to Puck Daddy. As a Sharks fan noted in the comments section, "Oh boy, here we go. Bring on the short bus and unload all the excuses now, boys."

4.) Is hockey overcoming football in Pittsburgh with the recent bad behavior among the Steelers, particularly from the face of their franchise?



Never good to be referenced in an Eminem song, Big Ben. (I know it's not hockey, forgive me.)











5. I fully endorse this slogan, living currently in the city of brotherly love:



6.) If this is a temper tantrum what do you call this:



Someone told Tuuka that Wookies don't exist and the Millenium Falcon is a junker.


7.) I guess you deserve a photo shop expo when you share company with Mario Lemieux:



8. ) At least he didn't throw up on someone, isn't that the new standard in Philly (again not hockey but always nice to poke fun at William Penn's home town).



9.) Yea this trade will happen:




10.) Can anyone take an article seriously that spells Canadiens, "Canadians":


11.) Imagine if a full bottle of Crown Royal had been thrown on a 17-year old kid in Philly, I think ESPN may have exploded. (Thanks to Mark Trible for this one)

Follow me on twitter, here.

Ovechkin's Game Needs to Change to Win the Ultimate Prize

We are not going to get into another Ovechkin vs. Crosby comparison, if you want that go here, here and here. All in all the debate doesn't matter, and even the most irrational Caps fan can attest to who is coming out on top in the only column that truly matters, the win column.

It seems that a lot of the fallout from the Montreal debacle has been be laid on Semin, Green, Fleischmann, the two headed goaltending monster, and a few other role players. All deserve their share; however the captain of the Washington Capitals is ducking a lot of the blame, except from a few sources. Ovechkin certainly doesn't deserve all the blame, he had an okay series stats wise (5G, 5A) but certainly a good brunt of it.

One goal and one secondary assist in the final three closeout games (two at home) doesn't cut it when you are allegedly the greatest player in the NHL.

But again, assessing blame isn't the point of this article. It's about what one of the greatest talents in the hockey world can do to refine his game, attitude and leadership qualities in order to avoid seven game series regularly, and one day possibly hoist the greatest of all trophies; instead of merely saying this (3:10 mark) at the NHL awards every year.


Lose the "me" image, yea you look real fresh in your highlighter skate laces and tinted visor, but you wanna win in the NHL come playoff time it's not about "you".

You aren't the rogue 20 year old Russian sniper that entered the league with an attitude.

You are now captain of an NHL team, a very talented one, your attitude and everything you do leaves an imprint on your team.

Putting away the "me" attitude would be something that shows true leadership and can endear the Great 8 even more to his teammates, as well as have a trickle down effect in the locker room.

It's about the Washington Capitals not Alex Ovechkin, the "C" on your left shoulder is what makes you stand out.


Look to dump the puck to get to the cycle occasionally when coming down the wing. Every time you have a sliver of space and hit the blue line with two men back, doesn't mean you have to take a shot, it's predictable and selfish.

Yes you can score from anywhere, but just as any player in the NHL you will score more when you have higher percentage opportunities; cycling creates that. Centering your line is Niklas Backstrom, one of the hardest guys in the NHL to get off the puck, give him and your other wing a chance to get into the two man-cycle and give you some nice scoring chances in the high slot.

Cycling also wears down opponents early in a playoff series, and gives goaltenders fits. It's a better alternative to the one and done shot which is gobbled up or blocked, when flying down the wing.

Dumping the puck every once in a while will inevitably give you more space over time to use that amazing one-on-one play making ability, by shedding your one dimensionality.


Play defense more consistently. Do you float around the opponent's blue line as the Ovie detractors say-- no. Are you defensively responsible because you make one or two defensive plays a game, as the most stringent Ovie fanatic says-- no. You lie somewhere in the middle, your defense has it's deficiencies and can improve.

Defensive responsibility is a proven winner, is it fun--no, is it sexy--- no way, will it win in the playoffs-- it's proven. Just ask your countrymen Pavel Datsyuk, in fact learn from him, I know it won't be as good a time as a weekend with Andrei Markov but it will pay off in April, May and June.

If the Washington Capitals see their captain, make this commitment, everyone in that locker room has to follow suit.


Quit with the false bravado, this is something that can be applied to the entire Capitals organization and fanbase. It starts with an owner who can't keep his mouth shut and seems to have trickled down the organization to the players and the fans.

It does nothing for you as a hockey player to win the war of sound bites. It just fires up the opponent, and at this point what ground is there to stand on with your playoff track record.

Yes the fans love it, they also love it when you win. You are now the captain, you should be better than this. The cloud of shame hanging over the organization should be enough to quiet the noise coming from the Capitals locker room---for now.

----------------------------

Some will say I am just trying to take away Ovechkin's flair and personality, that may be partially true. His attitude should have changed when he took over the captaincy, but for some reason Ovie gets away without any criticism for not refining his game. There isn't a player in any sport who can't work on something-- it's a small sacrifice to lift the greatest trophy on Earth.


Follow me on twitter here

Previewing Lord Stanley’s Playoff (Part Two - Western Conference)

The big boys douse you with all kinds of stats and interesting nuggets of knowledge, I am here to just give my opinion. Here is my preview of the greatest playoff tournament in sports, except for of course Women’s College Basketball.

Western Conference

(1) San Jose vs. (8) Colorado

It's easy to make a joke about how the Sharks view the playoffs like Greg Norman views a Sunday afternoon at a Major PGA tournament. Yes the Sharks have choked in the playoffs on multiple occasions, but in those instances they ran into playoff experienced teams with a playoff ready goalie. While Colorado is talented, they are young, and not ready for this stage, San Jose (finally) is, Sharks in 5.

(2) Chicago vs. (7) Nashville

Nashville cabbies beware, the one and only Patrick Kane is in town. Unfortunately for the Preds so are the rest of his talented teammates. On paper this looks like a mismatch with Nashville's lack of offensive depth; however, if the deep Nashville blueline including Shea Weber, Dan Hamhuis, Denis Grebeshkov and Ryan Suter can do their job and Pekka Rinne keeps them in a few games this one could go the distance. Toews, Hossa, Sharp and company say no way, Blackhawks in 6.

(3) Vancouver vs. (6) Los Angeles

Both teams have issues with scoring depth, some defensive liabilities, have been enigmas throughout the season and enter the playoffs playing around .500 hockey in their last ten games. The difference is Vancouver needs to prove their worth in the playoffs after a few lackluster playoff exits, and they have the home ice. You want a reason to watch this series, his name is Drew Doughty, the 20 year-old Kings sweet skating defensemen is worth the price of admission. The Kings are talented and push the Canucks to the brink, but Vancouver pulls it out in 7.

(4) Phoenix vs. (5) Detroit

Congratulations Phoenix you set franchise records for wins (50) and points (107) this season, all amidst weekly speculation of the franchise relocating. Your prize: The most successful franchise over the last 15 years and two time defending Western Conference champion, Detroit Red Wings (just as they are getting healthy). Oh and on top of that Detroit goaltender Jimmy Howard is 15-0-2 in his last 17 games. Congrats Coyotes on the great season, Red Wings in 5.

Five Predictions for the Western Conference

1. Despite winning Detroit fans will feel there was some slight against their team.

2. Jonathan Toews scores an overtime game winner against the Predators.

3. Holmstrom and Franzen team up for six goals in a short series with the Coyotes.

4. Dany Heatley has at least one Hat Trick against the Avs.

5. The LOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU chant in Vancouver every time the puck goes near Roberto Luongo will get real old, real fast.

Previewing Lord Stanley’s Playoff (Part One - Eastern Conference)

The big boys douse you with all kinds of stats and interesting nuggets of knowledge, I am here to just give my opinion. Here is my preview of the greatest playoff tournament in sports, except for of course Women’s College Basketball.

Eastern Conference

(1) Washington vs. (8) Montreal

Washington fans are (President’s) Cup Crazy, meaning they Googled what that trophy was three months ago; in a month they find out what happens to those who possess it in the postseason. Not yet though, Caps in 5, only drama in this one is how fast Texas Ted strokes his fan base's ego by saying they are louder and more awesome than Habs fans.

(2) New Jersey vs. (7) Philadelphia

Set the alarm clock if you’re watching this one and need to get up for work the next day. Yes this is the NHL equivalent to a Nascar race with Jersey clogging up the neutral zone and trapping like it's Return of the Jedi. The whole rivalry angle could be played up, if Devils fans consisted of more people than the cast of Jersey Shore. Flyers won the season series 5-1 and some of those games weren’t even close, Flyers in Six.

(3) Buffalo vs. (6) Boston

If you like goalie match ups and tight low scoring games Bob Barker wants you to come on down. This will be a fun hockey series to watch for a true hockey aficionado, stellar goaltending with Miller and Rask/Thomas, division rivals, well played systematic defense. Buffalo was 2-2-2 in the season series and four of the games were decided by one goal, with one decided in a shoot out. My gut tells me Boston wins this one in 7.

(4) Pittsburgh vs. (5) Ottawa

Playing for the third time in four years, with neither previous series being all that close, this go around has the feeling of a really bad movie that keeps getting made over and over again, think Saw 1 - 112. The Penguins have too much depth and are a seasoned playoff team going against a playoff virgin in Senators goaltender Brian Elliott. Unless Elliott plays lights out and Ottawa gets huge production out of Alfredsson, Fisher and Spezza expect a quick one, Penguins in 5.

Five Predictions For the East

1. Nicklas Backstrom has more points in the postseason than Ovechkin because he is a better all around hockey player.

2. Kovalchuk continues his playoff disappearing act.

3. Capitals win the series, but Theodore looks shaky especially in the games at Montreal and a goalie controversy emerges in our Nation's Capital.

4. Jordan Staal has three goals and five points in the first round.

5. Senators hopefully never do anything like this ever again.

Mr. Z's Tuesday Morning Scatterbrain

A very close and hilarious friend of Results Inconclusive has graced us with some of his thoughts on the sports world and the world in general. Check it out

Tuesday Morning Scatterbrain

Let me preface by saying I hate Rafael Nadal, I hate hearing he is from some
island off the coast of Spain, I hate that his tennis gear looks like something
you’ll find in a Gay Pride Parade, I hate that he goes by the nickname Rafa.
No one took more joy in his loss Saturday morning to Robin Soderling then
myself, however what he did afterward earned a lot of my respect. In a sport
where excuses are commonplace and hissy fits are just part of the theatrics,
Nadal told the media after the match that he had played his best and Soderling had just defeated him. Nadal being a four time French Open champion could have thrown any excuse out there and had every right to, instead he took the high road. Maybe Sid the Kid with his post game nudge of Kirk Maltby, and LeBron with his non-handshake should take a note from the Spaniard.

I am not condoning the Sidney Swipe after Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals on Saturday night, but if anyone is calling that love tap a slash you obviously
watch less hockey than Michael Wilbon.

Read a great book this weekend that hockey fans (there are a few of us left,
right?) should check out by Dave King called the King of Russia. It follows
the exploits of King as the first Canadian Coach of a Russian Super League team a year after the NHL lockout.

While I was picking the King book up at Barnes and Noble I also saw Charlie
Weis’ book No Excuses in the bargain bin for $4.99. I still think that’s
overpriced.


Stumbled upon this bit of hilariousness. The Bengals are a joke.

Watching MLB Network, I find myself reintroduced to great players and great
games I had forgotten about through the rebroadcasts. One in particular is Mr.
Class himself, Jim Eisenreich, during a 1993 Phillies game. It got me thinking
that Jason Bay is the new and improved Eisenreich; classy guy, professional at
bats, doesn’t blow you away with one thing in his game but is just completely
solid all around. And if you don’t know who Eisenreich is look him up you will
be a better person for it.

Back to Hockey, when was the last time the Red Wings were outshot in back to
back playoff games at home? Mark my words the Penguins are still alive in this
series and have carried play for long stretches, sometimes the pucks just don’t
roll your way.

Ever see a fat lady cause a scene at the public library by arguing with an 80
year old library attendant over a 40 cent fine? I did. The worst part was
that she was drinking some goofy $7.00 Starbucks drink, which has to be some
type of violation.

And I know I couldn’t get through the whole article without an NBA thought. We are graced with the presence of Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard in
the NBA Finals Thursday night. I can’t help but think back to when Phil
Jackson said he would choose Howard to start a franchise with, and how
nonsensical I thought that was. Well Phil I hate you as a coach and even more
as a yoga instructor, but I can admit I was wrong, and Superman as your number one pick may not be that far off.

And in the immortal words of James Rome…..I am out.

NHL Finals should be viewable to everyone

I think that the NHL is mad enough about having to show some of their playoff games on versus but now it has reached an all time low. The Stanly Cup Finals games will be played on Saturday and Sunday, the first time games 1 and 2 will be played on back to back days since the mid 1950's on NBC. After that the championship series of the sport will be pushed back to versus! A network that no one had heard of until they started showing hockey on it. A network that many hockey fans don't even get on their TV plans. Here is NBC's schedule this week:

The show, I'm a celebrity ... Get me out of here! is in the 8-9 spot Monday through Thursday. I had to look up what this was. It's a reality show where celebrities are dropped off on a Costa Rican island and compete in comedy challenges while trying to survive (yeah right). This "reality" show is really stealing TV time from the NHL Stanley Cup Finals? It's too bad for the sport, it looked as though it was on the rise. I know it sucked me in for these playoffs.