Epic Night

Four guys and a Mike really got things going last night after the first, “Laugh Ball,” session of the 2011 season. What’s Laugh Ball you ask? It’s the greatest game ever created inside a garage using a tennis ball, beer and really bad jokes. That’s another post though. This entry is about a two hour brainstorm a few of the FGAAM members had after a few beers were deposited.

It’s not uncommon for friends to sit and debate which things are better than others when it comes to certain topics. Sports, movies, athletes, music and food are often debated and ranked. Everyone has their favorites and defends them to the breaking point. Last night, Mark McLean, “the” Mike Orr and myself took it to another level. We set up a draft. It certainly wasn’t groundbreaking and definitely not original, but fun and hilarious none the less.

The first draft was the most important and really spawned all the rest. In fact, fellow FGAAM member was able to participate in the first draft before having to retire for the night. Here are the results of all the drafts we did last night, ranging from sports, to movies, TV shows and even fast food.

Just as a disclaimer, we realized that not all the selections were necessarily the best picks. There is a 100% guarantee we missed someone, or something in each draft. Some of the topics we didn’t even truly know who we were talking about so please bare with us. We also want to mention, some of the choices we made were very biased. Some categories are straight up more personal opinion vs. actual merit. Each order of picks was randomly selected prior to each draft. Enjoy.

Key” P=Phil, D= Depo, O=Orr, M=Mark

BEST FOOT BALL TEAM OF ALL TIME (5 PLAYERS)

1.) Joe Montana =P

2.) Tom Brady=M……Eww

3.) Barry Sanders=O

4.) Jerry Rice=D

Round 2

5.) Orlando Pace=P…most controversial pick of draft, apprantely he’s not that good

6.) Ray Lewis=M

7.) Bruce Smith=O

8.) Terry Bradshaw=D

Round 3

9.) Lawrence Taylor=P

10.) Ronnie Lott=M

11.) Peyton Manning=O

12.) Rod Woodson-D

Round 4

13.) Walter Payton=P

14.) OJ Simpson=M

15.) Brian Urlacher=O

16.) Reggie White=D

Round 5

17.) Deon Sanders=P

18.) Andre Reed=M

19.) Lynn Swann=O

20.) Hershel Walker =D

Recap

Phil= Montana, Pace, Taylor, Payton, Sanders

Mark= brady, Lewis, Lott, Simpson, Reed

Orr=Sanders, Smith, Manning, Urlacher, Swann

Depo= Rice, Bradshaw, Woodson, White, Walker

The rest of the Draft results are posted below in the next post…

All Time Bills Draft (10 Players)

1.) Jim Kelly=P

2.) Bruce Smith=M

3.) Thurman Thomas=O

4.) OJ Simpson=P

5.) Andre Reed=M

6.) Cookie Gilchrist=O

7.) Jack Kemp=P

8.) Joe Ferguson=M

9.) Reuben Brown=O

10.) Darryl Talley=P

11.) Cornelius Bennet=M

12.) Kent Hull=O

13.) Eric Moulds=P

14.) Ted Washington=M

15.) Aaron Schobel=O

16.) Pete Metzellars=P

17.) Antoine Winfield=M

18.) Bryce Paup=O

19.) Phil Hansen=P

20.) Kenny Davis=M

21.) Steve Tasker=O

22.) Shane Conlan=P

23.) Joe Delamielleure=M

24.) Don Beebe=O

25.) Elbert Dubenion=P

26.) James Lofton=M

27.) House Ballard=O

28.) Steve Christie=P

29.) George Sames=M

30.) London Fletcher=O

Recap

Phil

Kelly, Simpson, Talley, Moulds, Metzellars, Hansen, Conlan, Dubenion, Christie

Mark

Smith, Reed, Ferguson, Bennett, Washington, Winfield, Davis, Delamielleure, Lofton, Sames

Orr

Thomas, Gilchrist, Brown, Hull, Schobel, Paup, Tasker, Beebe, Ballard, Fletcher

TOP 5 SABRES ALL TIME

1.) Dominik Hasek=M

2.) Gilbert Perault=O

3.) Rick Martin=P

4.) Chris Drury=M

5.) Pat Lafontaine=O

6.) Rene Robert=P

7.) Danny Briere=M

8.) Alexander Mogilny=O

9.) Danny Gare=P

10.) Jay McKee=M

11.) Michael Peca=O

12.) Ryan Miller=P

13.) Brian Campbell=M

14.) Stu Barnes=O

15.) Lindy Ruff=P

Recap

Mark

Hasek, Drury, Briere, McKee, Campbell

Orr

Perault, LaFontaine, Mogilny, Peca, Barnes

Smith

Martin, Robert, Gare, Miller, Ruff

TOP 5 BASEBALL PLAYERS ALL TIME

1.) Nolan Ryan=O…immediately realized this was a little too high of a reach.

2.) Babe Ruth=P

3.) Mickey Mantle-M

4.) Ted Williams=O

5.) Willie Mays=P

6.) Joe DiMaggio=M

7.) Roberto Clemente=O

8.) Lou Gehrig=P

9.) Yogi Berra=M

10.) Cal Ripken=O

11.) Stan Musial=P

12.) Barry Bonds=M

13.) Ty Cobb=O

14.) Pete Rose=P

15.) Cy Young=M

Recap

Orr

Ryan, Williams, Clemente, Ripken, Cobb

Phil

Ruth, Mays, Gehrig, Musial, Rose

Mark

Mantle, Dimaggio, Berra, Bonds, Young

TOP 5 BASKETBALL PLAYERS ALL TIME

1.) Michael Jordan=O

2.) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar=M

3.) Wilt Chamberlain=P

4.) Julius Erving=O

5.) Larry Bird=M

6.) Bill Russell=P

7.) Magic Johnson=O

8.) Karl Malone=M

9.) Charles Barkley=P

10.) Kobe Bryant=O

11.) Shaquille O'neal=M

12.) Patrick Ewing=P

13.) Allen Iverson=O

14.) John Stockton=M

15.) Bob Lanier=P

Recap

Orr

Jordan, Erving, Johnson, Bryant, Iverson

Mark

Jabbar, Bird, Malone, O’neal, Stockton

Phil

Chamberlain, Russell, Barkley, Ewing, Lanier

TOP WRESTLERS OF ALL TIME (7 ROUNDS)

1.) The Rock=M

2.) Shawn Michaels=P

3.) Ric Flair=O

4.) Stone Cold=M

5.) Bret Hart=P

6.) Sting=O

7.) Hulk Hogan=M

8.) HHH=P

9.) Andre the Giant=O

10.) Mr. Perfect=M

11.) Macho Man Randy Savage=P

12.) Mick Foley=O

13.) Chris Jericho=M

14.) Goldberg=P

15.) Ricky “the Dragon” Steamboat=O

16.) Kevin Nash=M

17.) Edge=P

18.) RVD=O

19.) Undertaker=M

20.) Kurt Angle=P

21.) Jesse Ventura=O

Recap

Mark

Rock, Austin, Hogan, Perfect, Y2J, Nash, Taker

Phil

HBK, Hart, HHH, Macho Man, Goldberg, Edge, Angle

Orr

Flair, Sting, Andre, Foley, Steamboat, RVD, Ventura

TOP 5 TV SHOWS OF ALL TIME

1.) Friends=P

2.) The Simpsons=O

3.) Seinfeld=M

4.) The Office=P

5.) Law and Order SVU=O

6.) Boy Meets World=M

7.) Sportscenter=P

8.) Fresh Prince of Belair=O

9.) Family Matters=M

10.) Saved by the Bell=P

11.) South Park=O

12.) WCW Nitro=M

13.) WWE Raw=P

14.) Top Chef=O

15.) Hard Knocks=M

Recap

Phil

Friends, Office, SC, Saved by the Bell, RAW

Orr

Simpsons, SVU, Fresh prince, South Park, Top Chef

Mark

Seinfeld, Boy Meets World, Family Matters, Nitro, Hard Knocks

TOP 5 BANDS/ARTISTS OF ALL TIME

1.) Led Zeppelin=O

2.) The Beatles=M

3.) The Rolling Stones=P

4.) The Who=O

5.) AC/DC=M

6.) Michael Jackson=P

7.) Guns and Roses=O

8.) Black Sabbath=M

9.) The Clash=P

10.) The Police=O

11.) The Ramones=M

12.) James Brown=P

13.) Rush=O

14.) U2=M…Eww

15.) The Eagles=P

Recap

Orr

Zeppelin, Who, Roses, Police, Rush

Mark

Beatles, AC/DC, Sabbath, Ramones, U2

Phil

Stones, Jackson, Clash, Brown, Eagles

FAVORITE MOVIES OF ALL TIME (8 ROUNDS)

1.) Back to the Future Trilogy=P

2.) Godfather Series=M

3.) Forrest Gump=O

4.) Star Wars Series=P

5.) Die Hard Series=M

6.) High Fidelity=O

7.) Big Lebowski=P

8.) Knocked Up=M

9.) Ghost Busters Series=O

10.) Major League Trilogy=P

11.) A League of their Own=M

12.) Planes Trains and Automobiles=O

13.) Home Alone Series=P

14.) A Christmas Story=M

15.) Hook=O

16.) Rudy=P

17.) Indiana Jones Series=M

18.) Super Bad=O

19.) Mighty Ducks Trilogy=P

20.) Batman Series=M

21.) Rudolph=O

22.) Bill and Ted Series=P

23.) It’s a Wonderful Life=M

24.) Vacation Series=O

Recap

Phil,

BTTF, Starwars, Lebowski, Major League, Home Alone, Rudy, Mighty Ducks, Bill and Ted
Mark

Godfather, Die Hard, Knocked Up, A League of their own, Xmas Story, Jones, Batman, Wonderful Life

Orr

Forrest Gump, High Fidelity, Ghost Busters, Planes Trains, Hook, Super Bad, Rudolph, Vacation

FAVORITE FAST FOOD RESTAURANT (3 ROUNDS)

1.) McDonald’s=M

2.) Mighty Taco=P

3.) Wendy’s=O

4.) Burger King=M

5.) Ted’s Hotdogs=P

6.) KFC=O

7.) Taco Bell=M

8.) Subway=P

9.) Cinnabon=O

Recap

Mark

Mickey D’s, BK, TB

Phil

Mighty, Teds, Subway

Orr

Wendy’s, KFC, Cinnabon

TOP BEER’S (5 ROUNDS)

1.) Labbatt Blue Light=M

2.) Miller High Life=P

3.) Boddingtons=O

4.) Molson Canadian=M

5.) Miller Lite=P

6.) Coors Original=O

7.) Rolling Rock=M

8.) Labbatt Blue=P

9.) Budweiser=M

10.) Sam Adams Boston Lager=M

11.) Pabst Blue Ribbon=P

12.) Stella Artois=O

13.) Killians Irish Red=M

14.) Blue Moon=P

15.) Harp=O

Recap

Mark

Blue Light, Molson, Rolling Rock, Sam Adams, Killians

Phil

High Life, Miller Lite, Blue, PBR, Blue Moon

Orr

Boddington, Coors Original, Budweiser, Stella, Harp

'My Bud Light' Commercial

Recently Bud Light released their newest Marketing strategy, 'My Bud Light'. Bud Light is the number one selling beer in the world and has become a staple in the marketing industry for their funny, witty and breakthrough commercials. Some of them are funny. The "Real Men of Genius," radio spots were hilarious and memorable. Some are not so funny. The most recent Bud Light change has been the 'My Bud Lite Packaging'. “This new bottle is one of the many ways we can bring Bud Light’s fun personality to life,” said Mike Sundet, senior director, Bud Light. “Bud Light drinkers are always looking for fun, quirky ways to express themselves, and the My Bud Light bottle offers them a canvas to do just that.”

That's literally the gayest statement I've ever heard from a beer executive. I thinks its a stupid idea that won't catch on just like all of the other quirky things beer companies do to try and make there product better than the next one on the shelf. (Blue Mountains-Coors light, Vortex bottle-Miller Lite,) Labbatt Blue has never done anything like this, just throwing that out there. This isn't a rant on the bottle, it doesn't bother me that much. The commercial, however, is the most awful thing I have ever seen.

It's impossible to find online, I've spent the last 20 minutes looking for it on youtube, budlight.com, their official facebook page, etc. Ill try and do my best to describe it. Two younger gentleman, one black, one white have cases of the new my Bud Light bottles. One is marking them as invitations for a party and randomly handing them out to attractive women around what seems to be his apartment complex in very clever ways. This is the first issue I have with this commercial. As the director, you have to establish that this is a realistic scenario, that this trick would actually work to get girls to your party. What girl would accept a bottle of beer in the middle of the day from a random stranger. Honestly they deserve to get in trouble for this. Girls wonder why they always find themselves in compromising positions. It's the creepiest thing of all time.

Fast forward to the, awesomely cool and hip party scene in the apartment. The creepy black guy who just gave away all the beer to random girls, is dancing by himself next to his other friend from the first scene. It's the most awkward dance ever and as I previously mentioned, HE IS BY HIMSELF. Who continues to dance by themselves when their friend is right next to them asking a question? His answer to the question is comedic genius.

White Guy, "How many of these invitations did you give out?"
Black Guy, "About 28 cases."

Pure gold.

I can't stand this commercial on so many levels. "Bud Light drinkers are always looking for fun, quirky ways to express themselves." I guess being a creep who dances weird is the new cool thing. Ill stick to Blue Light.

NHL Western Conference Playoff preview

What do you do when you work for an NHL franchise in the Western Conference and you already put your two weeks in? You write about all their rivals and everyone else in the playoffs besides them, since there is nothing else to do. Of course I'm speaking of the Blues who missed the playoffs again for the 4th time in 5 years, despite my supreme effort as an inside sales representative with the franchise. I was never a huge fan of the Western Conference until this season. I witnessed some really solid hockey from teams and players people on the East Coast don't get to witness that often. Guys like Rick Nash, Jarome Iginla, David Backes, Paul Statsny, Loui Eriksson and Chris Stewart were all guys on non playoff teams who were worth sticking around to watch even when the Blues were losing by 4 in the third period. The West is real deep and every team beats up on each other for the majority of the season. It took a Dallas loss in the last game of the regular season to seal the fate for the defending champion Chicago Blackhawks, giving them the final spot in the top eight.

Vancouver
Northwest Division Champions 54-19-9 117 pts.
*Presidents Trophy
The Canucks really put together a solid team in the off-season and it showed this year. There really hasn't been a weakness for this team. They've survived injuries on the blue line, have the best scoring duo in the league with the Sedin twins and certainly have a top goalie in Luongo. Vancouver has never been able to put it all together in the playoffs, but this year it seems they are destined to make it to the cup. A first round rematch with Chicago may actually be there toughest test.
Player to Watch: Christian Ehroff
The only Canuck Defenseman to play more than 70 games this year. He posted solid numbers and was their leading scorer. Of course a lot of attention will be on the Sedins and Kessler in the playoffs, but Ehroff will have a tough task against Hossa, Kane, Toews and Sharp in the first round.

San Jose Sharks
Pacific Division Champs 48-25-9 105 Pts.
Another Western team who just hasn't been able to put it together in the Spring. they have been one of the best teams down the stretch in the West and won the very crowded Pacific division. Not an easy task after putting 4/5 teams in the playoffs. They made headlines in the offseason going with goalie Anti Niemi to lead them to the Finals. He hasn't disappointed with a 2.38 GAA and .920 Sv %. He knows what it takes after the Hawks Run last year in Chicago.
Player to Watch: Logun Couture
Calder Cup finalist and 30 goal scorer has made a big impact on a team that used to dominate offensively. Thornton and Heatley had down years. If Couture can score in the playoffs like the regular season it will be a huge boost in San Jose.

Detroit Redwings
Central Division Champs 47-25-10 104 Pts.
Another division championship, another playoff appearance.... another cup finals? They're not really getting any younger, but still boast some of the best talent in the world. Jimmy Howard was a Calder runner up last year, but look more like a fading vet posting a 2.79 GAA and .908 Sv %. A 4-4-2 record during the last ten games of the season may have some worried in Motown, but this is a playoff built team who always turns it on when it counts.
Player to Watch: Henrick Zetterberg
Zetterberg, who missed the last two games of the regular season because of a knee injury, won't be ready for the start of the playoffs. He was the team's leading scorer and really anchors the offense. He has to be healthy to advance farther than the first round.

Anaheim Ducks

47-30-5 99 pts. After the top three teams, the west really gets crowded. Anaheim was pretty awful the first half of the season. They looked destined to miss the playoffs just three years after winning it all. The Ducks have some heavy star power at the forward position with Ryan Getzlaf and Rocket Richard trophy winner Corey Perry. Stopping goals is another story, they have the worst goal differential in the conference at +4. Winning three games to end the season was huge for them and ended up with home ice advantage for the first round. Player to Watch: Johnas Hiller Though Hiller (vertigo) has served as a backup the past two games, he is still not 100 percent for the playoffs. Ray Emery 2.28 and Dan Ellis 2.77 have stepped in nicely. They wont have a problem scoring goals, but whoever of the three goalies in net is has to a better job stopping them. Nashville Predators 44-27-11 99 pts. Boring team, boring players, boring coach. This teams is, well, really really boring. They've never won a playoff series in their short history. They play a defensive style, neutral zone game that can put anyone to sleep. There leading scorer, Martin Erat 50 points. They had two guys score 20 goals and their leader is Sergei Kostitsyn had 23. Player to Watch: Pekka Rinne Maybe the most watch worthy player on the roster. A solid goalie, who will most likely be a Vezina finalists. Would he be that good in another system though? Phoenix Coyotes 43-26-13 99 Pts. There isn't a team in the league who gets less fan support than the Coyotes. On the brink of bankruptcy last year they make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. They follow it up with another playoff appearance and still no one in Phoenix cares. What do these guys even play for at this point. There's not really a whole lot to talk about with this team. They just get the job done and put up wins. Player to Watch: Keith Yandle One of the best D-men in the West and the league. He put up 48 Assists this year to go along with a career high 59 pts. He'll need to play solid defense as well if Phoenix has any chance of getting past the 1st round. Los Angeles Kings 46-30-6 98 pts. Two losses to Anaheim saw the Kings slide from 4th to seventh with a first round date with San Jose. No other playoff team suffered such a crushing blow like the Kings, when Anze Kopitar went down with a season ending injury earlier in the season. No other player meant more to their team offensively than Kopitar. Golaie Jonathan Quick has kept them in it in the meantime. Player to Watch: Justin Williams Williams' (shoulder) status for Game 1 against San Jose will likely be determined after Tuesday's practice. Williams, the teams second leading scorer behind Kopitar, needs top be healthy for LA to generate any offense. Chicago Blackhawks 44-29-9 97 pts. The defensing cup champs, definitely have not been the same team. They had to ship off many parts last offseason and they don't quite have the same whatever it was they had last year. new goalies have been the biggest weakness this year along with some injuries in the middle of the season. They still are a dangerous team with Kane, Toews, Hossa and Sharp. They may be over matched in Vancouver, but it will be an exciting series for sure. Player to Watch: Brent Seabrook The leading scorer on Defense, really has to show up in the first round. Not only on defense shutting down the Sedin twins, but on special teams as well. The hawks will have to take advantage of every opportunity they get and he is there big guy on the point to lead them.

NHL Playoff Preview

I should probably wait till the teams and pairings are officially announced, but its my first post and I want to get this going. First off I want to say this is a forecast, not a prediction. Trying to predict the NHL playoffs is nearly impossible, very similar to the NCAA Tournament bracket. Last year alone we saw all three division winners lose in the first round of the Eastern Conference. Instead I just want to evaluate each team, how they got here and what to watch for. Today I'll focus on the Eastern Conference and get to the West tomorrow.

Washington Capitals

Southeast division winners. 48-22-11 107 pts.

The Capitals did not start the season in typical fashion, getting off to a slow start posting a 6-4-0 record through their first ten games. Something NHL fans are not use to seeing from a team who has absolutely dominated the past few seasons. In December, fans caught a glimpse of life in the Washington locker room on the outstanding HBO Series, "24/7" a preview of this year's winter classic between the Caps and Pittsburgh Penguins at Heinz Field. Eight straight losses from December 2- December 18 had fans wondering where this team really stood. They put together 3 wins in a row ending with a win over the Pens on New Year's Day to end 2010 and start the new year. Since then, 30 wins and ten regulation losses. They have taken control of the Southeast and the Eastern Conference once again currently sitting in the number 1 spot with a 4 point lead. This isn't a typical Caps team though. Scoring is down, defense is up. There defense has only allowed 196 goals (7th of 30), and thats all behind the play of young unknown goalies, Semyon Varlamov, Michal Neuvirth and Braden Holtby.

Player to Watch: Alexander Ovechkin

One of the greatest players in the world, Ovi started out with one of the worst years in his short career.

He is on pace for the worst statistical year in his career, (32 G 53 A) with one game remaining.

Its no secret he is the catalyst for this team. He's developed his game and become a better two

way player,something they will need to see in the playoffs. He has produced in the playoffs

before and if they don't have an another embarrassing first round knockout, he'll have to do

it all again.

Philadelphia Flyers

46-23-11 103 pts.

Another slow starting team picked up the play after the first ten games of the season. At the all-star break they were 33-12-5

sitting atop the Eastern Conference. They've been atop the league all year, but recently have slipped into second place.

They have won only 6 of their last 18 and now are only 1 point ahead of in state rival Pittsburgh in the Atlantic division. They're limping into the

playoffs for sure, but a balanced scoring attack behind Daniel Briere, Mike Richards, Jeff Carter and Claude Giroux solid

defensive play and the experience from last year's cup run makes the Flyers an incredibly dangerous team. Another

team lacking a big name net minder, they definately have their weaknesses. Then again it didn't stop them last year.

Player to Watch: Chris Pronger

The guy is ridiculous. Wherever he plays, you can reserve a spot in the finals. Edmonton in 2006. Anaheim in 2007 (Champions)

Philly in 2010. A veteran presence, he certainly demands attention on the ice. he does get away with every little, push, slash,

hook and pull under the sun, but after being in the league that long no one will say or do anything. He does have injury

concerns, but if he comes back healthy and ready to go, another long run may await the Flyers again.

Boston Bruins

Northeast Division Champs 45-24-11 101 pts.

Boston has been an interesting team all season. For the first half of the season behind the play of goalies Tim Thomas and

Tuukka Rask it felt like no one could score a single goal against this team. Thomas, who is the head on favorite to win

this year's Vezina trophy has been outstanding for Boston posting a 2.02 GAA. Of all the division winners the Bruins seem

to be the most vulnerable. They made a deep run last year and held a 3-0 game

advantage before falling to the Flyers in seven. They have experience and bulked up their offense adding Nathan Horton (25 G 27 A)

in the offseason. If Thomas plays in the playoffs like in the regular season, a finals appearance is possible.

Player to watch: Patrice Bergeron

Boston doesn't have the big all-star forward like a lot of other Eastern Conference teams do. It's really an offense by committee

from Lucic, Krejci, Horton and Bergeron. Bergeron has got to be the guy that steps up and makes the big plays. He does all the

intangibles for this team. His offense has been streaky all season, but has managed some decent numbers for the third

leading scorer on the team, (22 G 35 A).

Pittsburgh Penguins

47-25-8 102 pts.

It's obvious no team in the league has overcome more than the Penguins. They lose two world class players and the golden boy of

the NHL after the winter classic and you figure they're done. It's the exact opposite. They've continued to win. Pittsburgh is right in the

thick of it currently one point back of Philly two games to play. Marc-Andre Fleury has once again carried this team with 35 wins and a

2.31 GAA, hes kept them in games and really helped keep this team moving forward. Winning teams always find ways to win

Dan Bylsma has built a winning culture in pittsburgh and even with the loss of their two best players, they could be the most

dangerous team in the playoffs.

Player to watch: Sydney Crosby

Love him or hate him, he's the best player in the world. He was on pace to have an amazing season the NHL hasn't seen in a while

A concussion has kept him out for half the season, but he's set to make a return for the playoffs. Just his presence on the bench

makes this team instantly better and more confident. On the ice he gives them that x factor. They've been there before and they

know what it takes. This is the most dangerous team in the league with Crosby on the ice.

Tampa Bay Lightning

44-25-11 99 pts.

A big year from the Bolts has gotten them back in the playoffs. The most dangerous offensive team in the conference has two 100 point

guys and a top goal scorer in former first rounder and all-start Steven Stamkos (44 G). They held on to the Southeast division for a while

when Washington struggles early on. They'v since relinquished the lead, but have managed to stay in the mix and are still not out

of a possible first round home ice advantage. New GM Steve Yzerman made one of the biggest mid season acquisitions

picking up veteran goalie Dwayne Roloson from the fledgling New York Islanders. There defense is pretty awful, they have given

236 goals this season, by far the worst of the top 8 teams, so they need him to step up big time in the postseason.

Player to watch: Vincent Lecavalier

The third leading scorer on the team he recently suffered a facial injury and is day to day heading into the start of the playoffs.

They have to have him on the ice. The Lightning need to score to win and they need Vinny to score.

Montreal Canadiens

43-30-7 93 pts.

Montreal shocked their fans and the league this summer when they traded playoff sensation from 2010, goalie Jaroslav Halak,

to St. Louis. Carey Price has had serious ups and downs in Montreal in his short tenure between the pipes. Many people

scratched thier heads after the move. It worked out for them. Price has been an iron man for them accounting for a career high

37 of the teams 43 wins. He's a Vezina finalist and have people forgetting all about Halak in Montreal. There is no doubt the

team has struggled in the last two months. They clinched a spot in the playoffs, but could still fall to eighth with two games

remaining.

Player to Watch: Carey Price

Can he hold up? Can he make the same kind of run Halak did last year? He's played in A LOT of games this year and had alot

of ups, but some downs as well. Montreal doesn't have the big name scorer, but have depth at every position. Price's success

will dictate how far this team can really go.

Buffalo Sabres

41-29-10 92 pts.

Now I'm not being biased when I say this, but there hasn't been a better team in the NHL since the midway point than the Buffalo Sabres.

Seriously, look it up. They've been on a huge run, not only to get back into contention to make the playoffs, but now for better

positioning in the top eight. Terry Pegula brought in a winner's mentality and everyone in Buffalo bought into it. They went from

sellers to buyers with the roster, they have transformed the culture in the locker room and now are poised for a second playoff

berth in a row. Thomas Vanek, Drew Stafford, Tyler Ennis, Jason Pominville, Andrej Sekera and even Jhonas Enroth have

contributed immensely over the past three months. Ryan Miller will be ready to go by playoff time, but a small injury is concerning.

He's a big game goalie and the Sabres need him to be on his game this year.

Player to watch: Tyler Myers

It's no coincidence the Sabres were awful at the beginning of the year and Calder Cup winner Tyler Myers was equally as bad.

A sophomore slump looked inevitable as the he struggled to produce along with the team. Myers broke out of his slump and

the team has awoken as previously mentioned, and again, no coincidence. He has the size, skill and poise to be the next

Chris Pronger or Chara.

New York Rangers

43-32-5 91 pts.

Another team that has been all over the place in the standings this year. They lost six in a row from the end of January through the

middle of February. In march they bounced back in it and won 5 in a row. They've been all over the place, beating Philly 7-0

in March, beating Pittsburgh 5-2 two weeks later and shutting out Boston a week after that. However, they lost a crucial

game to Ottawa 2-1 in a shootout, a 1-0 loss to Buffalo and a horrible 6-2 loss to the Islanders all at the end of March. In April

they started with a thrilling 3-2 OT win over Philly followed up by a win over Boston the next night 5-3. Where is this team?

It's hard to tell which team will show up on each given night and that is what has led them to the eighth spot just two points

ahead of Carolina.

Player to watch: Marian Gaborik

Gaborik has to step up after the Rangers lost Ryan Callahan to injury this week. Gaborik is a huge scoring threat, with major

talent. New York has struggled to score goals this year and losing one of your top guys before the start of the post season is not what you want.

Carolina Hurricanes

39-30-11 89 pts.

Let's be honest, who didn't think it was over for Carolina last week when they lost to Buffalo 2-1 in OT on their home ice.

How did they respond? A 3-0 shutout of western conference power Detroit three nights later. They're still in it, but have little

room for error at this point. One loss and they are almost all but guaranteed out. They have had a fun season. Eric Staal was well, Eric Staal

Jeff Skinner is a Calder Cup finalist and the All-star game and pre game drat was fun to see in Carolina. There's little

hope left, but still some hope to make the playoffs.

Player to watch: Cam Ward

If they do make the playoffs, Ward, better be on the top of his game, as he was in 2006 when they one the cup. He's posted 36

of the teams 39 wins and has a modest 2.56 GAA. He's already helped the team get to this point, but he'll really have to show

up if they make the final eight.

-Phil