NHL Playoofs 2014

NHL Finals

Kings vs Rangers

First to pick the underdog. All the winning goes out the window...seriously, who cares? Hope its a great final with some awesome hockey. Exciting, hard hitting teams and great story lines.

Speaking of story lines, this is amazing...must watch!!

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=10938904

 Going with King Henry and the Eastern Conference...Rangers in 7

NHL Playoffs 2014

NHL Playoffs Rd 3

So, although I went 1-3 in the last round, all three losses ended in Game 7s. That's how close I came this year. However, probably not going to win but want a good and NEW finals matchup. For that to happen I have to play with the underdogs!

Rangers vs Canadians

NY City. Madison Square Garden. Though I somewhat despise the Rangers, itd be nice for them to win again.

Rangers in 7


Kings vs Blackhawks

I really like the way the Hawks are playing, but a NY vs LA finals would be a great showcase for the finals.

Kings in 7

NHL Playoffs 2014

NHL Playoffs - Rd 2

Bruins vs Canadians
I just dislike Montreal, its that simple. They dont do anything for me. If you hockey is all about passion and desire, thats reason enough to pick Boston. Bruins (in 6)

Rangers vs Pens 
Just cause most people are picking against them. And I am going to win then I want to pick not based on others, and just go with good, solid matchups. Pens (in 7) 

Ducks vs Kings
This one is very tough, I want to pick the Kings, theyre hot, they are streaky, they are somehow the favorite? But as a child I loved the Ducks, especially Paul Kariya. This ones for you Paul! Ducks (in 7)

Hawks vs Wild
If they dont beat themselves, Chicago is to most solid team in the playoffs, they'll go as far as Crawford takes them and how well they can fight. Hawks (in 6)

NHL PLAYOFFS 2014! - 5 Bloggers; 1 Winner!

NHL Playoffs - 1st Rd

Aaron Reinard Memorial Pick'em Inter-blog Tournament (aka ARMPIT): 

1 Bruins vs 8 Red Wings

Rask should win the Vezina, and a year after the bombing in Boston, I feel like they are ready for another run. Now the Wings have made the playoffs 23 years in a row! And they always come alive in the playoffs but I'm picking this year based on who I like, so lets go Beantown! Bruins (in 6) 

2 Penguins  vs 7 Blue Jackets 

 Blue Jackets might be a really tough out. I don't know why but Pens have lost the last 2 years to weaker opponents. Still I am a homer and with in Crosby we trust! (Fleury in the playoffs...not so much; but he's got to come up big eventually, right?) Pens (in 6)

3 Lightening vs 6 Canadians  

 Team Canada won the gold at the Winter Olympics, ugh...the US strikes back, go Lightning! U-S-A! U-S-A! Lightning ( in 5)

4 Rangers vs 5 Flyers

FLYERS SUCK! Rangers (in 5) 

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1 Ducks vs 8 Stars

The real Duck Dynasty begins this year! Getzlaf has been awesome and with Jiggy retiring recently, I hope there is enough karma for a good playoff run! I just always love how this team sticks with it. Ducks (in 6)

2 Avalanche vs 7 Wild  

The powerhouse at the beginning of the season, this is the BIG upset special folks, just not this year. I am just more excited for the 2nd round possible match ups out West. Avs (in 5)

3 Blues vs 6 Blackhawks

Chicago is my Boston of the West. Physically and mentally tough team that finds a way to win. The Blues are cracking down the stretch, and as much as I do like them, I don't see them having it this year. And Miller, as great as he is, always has that "one" goal a game that he shouldn't allow. But wouldn't shock me if the champs went out. Hawks (in 7)
 
4 Sharks vs 5 Kings

Cliche game! Knock-out, grind it out, physical, hard hits, Dr. bills, hospital visits....this series will be tough. Expecting each to dominate at home; so the team that wins on the other's ice will win the series. Kings (in 7)

- Best of luck everyone!

Birthday Traditions!

Aaron has asked me to share on the topic of birthdays. I would hope that most people look forward to their birthdays, I mean what’s not to like? There’s cake (or pie!), ice cream, family, friends, fire...I mean candles, and let us not forget PRESENTS!

When I think of birthdays, I think about traditions!  For some, birthday traditions might mean having those things I mentioned above: cake and candles, presents, and family. For me, it is all about my Grandma Ledebur. All of my favorite birthday traditions happen to involve my Grandma.  

See, my Grandma always wants to make your birthday extra special, so she has each of us over for our "birthday dinner". You even have a special seat at the table. You see, for as long as I can remember, and probably even before that my Grandma places coins under the birthday boy/girl's plate equaling how old they are. So when I turned 26, under my plate was a quarter and a shiny penny. Even though it is a small amount of money, we all look forward to it. It makes you feel loved. Additionally, my Grandma also insists on making whatever you want for your meal. My dinner is typically roast beef with and vegetables.  It doesn’t matter how many times I have my Grandma’s roast beef, it always tastes amazing and she always seems to put love into to making it. Then we finish each birthday meal with a delicious chocolate cake or dessert of your choice. She just recently turned 92 and so for her birthday I wanted to make her her own cake. It turned out well and was a pretty cool experience. And now I will hopefully one day get to continue these traditions she carried on with my family.

But traditions need to start somewhere. For instance, I am sure my Grandma had someone putting money under her plate when she was a little girl and therefore she carries on that tradition with us. It is often our family who implants the traditions in our lives. For me, these traditions carry over to my faith, my friends, and work. They get ingrained in my friendships and I think that traditions are most fun when you can share them with others.

So why do birthdays matter? Because they are a reminder, yes of how old we are, but also because they are a tradition you will celebrate each year with the people you care about the most. So if you have a birthday coming up, Happy Birthday and make sure to celebrate and carry on those traditions! (Insert funny have your cake and eat it too line!)

 

NHL CONFERENCE FINALS!

Clear eyes, Full hearts, Can't lose!

Round 2 was much friendlier to me. Went 4 for 4 on my pick of the Pens, Bruins, Hawks, and Kings and 13pts overall. I generally like all these teams, I really do! Pens have passion, Bruins have heart, Kings have resiliency, and Hawks have the will. They also have all been the last four Stanley Cup Champs! 

So this is going to be really hard to pick. There are favorites in each series, but if the hockey playoffs have taught us anything its that there are no rules when it comes playoff time.

However, this year the home ice has been an advantage. Each team has had big wins at home and struggled a bit on the road. But it really means nothing. So drop the puck fellas! Here we go with the picks, down to the final stretch...

Pens in 6
Hawks in 7

Above all, this pick 'em stuff doesn't matter in the end...it will be GREAT hockey. A reminder to those who bet on games, make predictions, and silly bets. Please, enjoy the games. We all root for "our" team, but it is a beautiful game so watch it and enjoy it for what it is. #hockeylove

Round 2

Pens in 6
Bruins in 7

Hawks in 7
Kings in 6

...a more complete analysis coming soon!