"Game Seven"

"Game Seven." There is something magical but terrifying about those words placed side by side, something final but not without hope. It is the epitome of why the players play, why the fans watch and why lifting a 35-pound shiny trophy at the end of the year is so damn therapeutic.

The words of the eloquent Mike Lange cannot capture the notion any better, "I'll meet you in the schoolyard baby for all the marbles." This is the essence of "Game Seven."

Each series creates its own entanglement of emotions, villains and heroes."Game Seven" is the pinnacle, the end game, the final death-match. Tonight none of the previous six games with Montreal matter, nor does the 2009-2010 regular season or the previous playoff round, it's one game for everything. It's "Game Seven."

The writers, haters, bloggers and rivals have their articles ready for the Penguins, witty comments in hand, waiting to pounce; desperately hoping for a defeat at the hands of the eighth-seeded Habs. They have been frothing at the mouth awaiting this moment for almost a year now, but they have to wait just a little bit longer, cause they can't hit "send", "publish", or "comment" until after a defeat in "Game Seven."

Tonight is an opportunity ultimately, another chance for Crosby to answer the bell he has made a habit of responding to like clockwork throughout his young career. Last year's Conn Smythe winner, Evgeni Malkin, can quiet--once again, those tireless experts, who at any lapse in his world class game take the occasion to call him a "lazy European." A great game from Kris Letang renders his costly turnovers and defensive blunders throughout the series as merely an afterthought. Of course there is the Flower, the winningest goaltender in the playoffs over the last three years, who once again can shut the detractors up with a big game in another big spot, one more "Game Seven."

For Crosby, Malkin, Fleury and the rest of the crew, you can allow, at maximum, the critics 12 opportunities to venomously rip you apart as long as you provide 16 opportunities for those same critics to eat their words. In order to do this you have to win "Game Seven."

Then there are the fans. Most this afternoon will try to extract positive memories of "Game Sevens" past, Pietrangelo and Hrdina in '91, Kasparitis sliding face first across the ice in '01 and who can forget Straka on his back in '99. Just last year there was Fleury robbing Ovie and Talbot with a pair to win the holiest of holies. These moments mean nothing at 7:05 tonight except to steady a shaky fan's hand and calm their thoughts for a moment, in anticipation of "Game Seven."

Additionally there are those fans who will drown themselves in their own sorrows of previous "Game Seven" failures, will point to Tom Fitzgerald (PIT Assistant to the GM and noted Game 7 villain) and Glenn Healy (broadcaster and Islanders net minder in the 1993) being in the Mellon tonight as bad luck or a sign of horrible things to come. These fans will look to David Volek in '93, the Rats of '96 and the Wregget stonewall of '89 to ready themselves for the heartbreak, to prepare for the terrifying moment that is "Game Seven."

Tonight marks another pivotal playoff moment for the players and fans alike. This evening, at the Mellon Arena the right to move onto the next round and fight another day for Lord Stanley is earned. A few things can be counted on; nervous moments will be plentiful, new heroes will emerge, what-ifs will fly and many a six-pack will be crushed. The eyes of the hockey world will be upon Pittsburgh and one thing is for sure, someone will snatch all the "marbles." That's why we play "Game Seven."

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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)

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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.