Battle Of Hudson

…In Nashville. 4-4 still, after JP Dumont’s Miracle tip got it tied in the final minute.

Dallas and Vancouver is tied at 2.

Minnesota-Anaheim is scoreless at the 1st intermission.

Ottawa easily beats PIT 6-3

Preds and Sharks 4-4 headed to OT, what a finish!

VAN-DAL 1-1.

Earl Sleek’s comment on our blog reminded me, please check out our similarly themed (I won’t say sister, because they were created at different times, and makes me sound like a wuss) site Battle of California tonight for all the analysis you need for tonight’s Sharks-Preds and Wild-Ducks tonight! Derek and I will post thought’s on tonight’s (and each night’s) action when it’s done, but check them out for what actual fans of the team have to say, and support the BATTLE sites all around.

While we’re at it, check out Jay Jardine and our friends at Battle of Ontario for all the analysis of Sens-Pens tonight. For an opposing view point, take a peek at Battle of Pennsylvania for their thoughts.

The Battle sites will be busy the next few days, so check out all of them!

Here are my picks for just tonight’s Game Ones:

I think Pittsburgh will begin their series victory with a statement game. 5-1 over Ottawa.

Nashville will win Game 1 against San Jose 4-3.

Vancouver will take Game 1 against Dallas 2-1.

Anaheim will get a 3-2 Double OT win over Minnesota.

Here’s a quick primer for tonight’s games.

Game 1
7:00 PM
VERSUS (HD)/CBC (HD)/RDS/FSN Pittsburgh

Game 1
8:00 PM
TSN (HD)/Center Ice/FSN Bay Area/FSN South

Game 1
10:00 PM
VERSUS (HD)/CBC (HD)/RDS/My 27

Game 1
10:30 PM
TSN/Center Ice/KSTC/FSN West

Here are my award nominees and picks:

Hart Trophy
-Sidney Crosby, PIT
-Martin Brodeur, NJ
-Roberto Luongo, VAN

The Pick: Marty got the record, and that will give voters an excuse to vote Brodeur over Luongo. Marty Brodeur

Jack Adams Award
-Jacques Lemaire, MIN
-Alain Vinegault, VAN
-Ted Nolan, NYI
The Pick: Nobody has done more with less than Nolan. I really wanna pick Jacques, but the somewhat obscurity that Lemaire’s coached in this year will give it to Ted Nolan

Norris Trophy
-Scott Niedermayer, ANA
-Nicklas Lidstrom, DET
-Dan Boyle, TB
The Pick: Lidstrom’s late season injuries will cost him. Scott Niedermayer, finally.

Vezina Trophy
-Martin Brodeur, NJ
-Roberto Luongo, VAN
-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR
The Pick: Marty picks up #2. Martin Brodeur

Calder Trophy
-Evgeni Malkin, PIT
-Paul Stastny, COL
-Jordan Staal, PIT
The Pick: I really wanna pick the two others, but you know who I have to pick. Evgeni Malkin.

We’ll be doing it again on Sunday. The stunt that got the website it’s highest level of activity, ever, we’ll be using it again. With 2 games on VERSUS, one on NBC, and one on Center Ice (That will be available on VERSUS in progress), we’ll try and give you all the commentary you need.

We’ll make it, I promise.

Let’s take a look and compare Derek and my picks for the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs

Eastern Conference
#8 NY Islanders vs. #1 Buffalo
Steve: Sabres in 6
Derek: Sabres in 5

#7 Tampa Bay vs. #2 New Jersey
Steve: Devils in 5
Derek: Lightning in 6

#6 NY Rangers vs. #3 Atlanta
Steve: Rangers in 7
Derek: Thrashers in 6

#5 Pittsburgh vs. #4 Ottawa
Steve: Penguins in 6
Derek: Penguins in 7

Western Conference

#8 Calgary vs. #1 Detroit
Steve: Flames in 7
Derek: Flames in 6

#7 Minnesota vs. #2 Anaheim
Steve: Ducks in 4
Derek: Ducks in 6

#6 Dallas vs. #3 Vancouver
Steve: Canucks in 5
Derek: Canucks in 6

#5 San Jose vs. #4 Nashville
Steve: Sharks in 6
Derek: Sharks in 7


Interestingly enough, we agree on every Western series’ winner, but no series length.

We’ll see how it works out.

Well folks, here it is. Enjoy the ride!

WC Preview

Here’s an interesting thing we didn’t know. VERSUS will be showing games in progress during the Finals. So instead of wrapping up after 2 games, they’ll be showing sometimes parts of 3 each night.

Here’s the full schedule:
4/11/07
7:00 PIT vs. OTT
10:00 DAL vs. VAN

4/12/07
7:00 CGY vs. DET

4/13/07
9:00 DAL vs. VAN
11:30 MIN vs. ANA (Joined In Progress)

4/14/07
7:00 NYI vs. BUF

4/15/07
6:00 OTT vs. PIT
8:30 ANA vs. MIN
10:30 VAN vs. DAL

4/16/07
7:30 BUF vs. NYI
10:00 NSH vs. SJ

4/17/07
7:00 OTT vs. PIT
9:30 DET vs. CGY

4/18/07
7:30 BUF vs. NYI
10:00 NSH vs. SJ

4/19/07
7:00 PIT vs. OTT
9:30 DET vs. CGY

4/20/07
7:00 NYI vs. BUF
9:30 SJ vs. NSH

4/21/07
8:00 VAN vs. DAL

4/22/07
7:00 BUF vs. NYI
9:30 DET vs. CGY
12:00 NSH vs. SJ

4/23/07
7:00 NYR vs. ATL
10:00 DAL vs. VAN

4/24/07
7:00 CGY vs. DET
9:30 SJ vs. NSH