The Fireside

Two rounds, 4 teams. The race for the Stanley Cup is getting closer.   In the east, we have Boston vs Pittsburg. So far Boston has been running Pittsburg's show, and are ahead in the series. I'm sure Crosby is crying about something. The Ottawa Senators are getting their revenge through Boston.   In the West we have LA vs Chicago. I'd like to see the Kings move onto the Final, but it seems like Chicago might advance instead. They are a head, but will they win?   So far it's looking like the Final Round will be between Boston and Chicago. But we'll have to see.....

My team, the Ottawa Senators, have been defeated by the Pittsburg Penguins.  The Penguins were possibly the best team in the East going into the playoffs, and I feared if Ottawa should play them. It would have been nice to see Ottawa smack Crosby, Malkin, Cooke, and LeTang around the boards...oh well. Looks like that job will have to go Boston! Now that Ottawa is out, Boston is my team I want to see do well in the playoffs; hopefully taking out Cros- I mean Pittsburg - in the process.  The west looks to be Detroit vs LA.  I'm hoping that the cup final will be between Boston and Detroit, as that would be some good hockey.  Playoff bracket as of posting this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_stanley_cup_playoffs#Playoff_bracket

Tonight the Ottawa Senators will face off against the Pittsburg Penguins, led by Crosby and Malkin...both of which we need to take out. Ottawa played very well indeed against Montreal - there were a couple of games and moments where they gave us a run for our money but we prevailed in the end with a 6-1 victory.   Balance is restored to the universe as Boston beat out Toronto. They had a 4-1 lead on Boston and then the bear got angry, winning in OT in game 7. Intense hockey indeed. Boston will now play the Rangers (go Bruins!)   In other news, Chicago will play Detroit (go Red Wings!) and Jan Jose will take on LA (go Sharks!).   Definitely some good games coming up.

Wow. Just wow. What a game. Not only did the Ottawa Senators defeat Montreal a second time (game 3) but we destroyed them 6-1. Pageau got a hat trick. It was definitely a great night for Ottawa, made even greater when Ottawa fans were smearing Montreal's 'Ole' song right in their faces. I can't wait for game 4 to see how it will all turn out (or even the end of the first round). Speaking of, curious to see who Ottawa will face in round 2. But let's not jump the gun. With the other teams, Pittsburg is a head which isn't good for Ottawa. The Capitals are head 2-0. Boston and toronto are tied. In the West, the Blues are ahead and so is San Jose. One final hockey note before I end this post. Over the weekend, we celebrated my girlfriend's sister's boyfriend's birthday, and he is a fan of another NHL team. He has some merchandise and got an 'old time' hoodie. This has renewed my interest in hockey gear. Here are some of the S...

Wow. What a start to the Playoff season. The Bruins defeated the Make Me Laughs during their opener, and Ottawa beat Montreal during theirs. The scariest part of the game (for Sens fans) was when Ottawa was down 2-1....and they pulled through 4-2. Both the Toronto - Boston and Ottawa - Montreal games have been great, entertaining hockey all the way through. This is why this sport is loved. These are the Senators I love.

It’s a hockey fan’s favorite time of year….play off season. Here is all the info you need to know. I am cheering for Pittsburg, Ottawa, Washington, and Boston. In the West: Chicago, Detroit, San Jose, and LA. Here is the playoff bracket. After the jump is all the info.

The Ottawa Senators are going the playoffs. Not only did they beat the Caps tonight 2-1, but one of the team's best players, Karlsson, has returned to the game tonight. I'll do another hockey post closer the playoffs. Well done boys. Onto the next battle.....

The Ottawa Senators have had a pretty season for the most part, but the last 2/3 or half haven't been too good. There was Karlsson's injury. Speza was out. And Anderson was out...all at once. We've won a few good games here and there, but the stats haven't been as good since all the injuries. Like the team is trying to climb back up, but a nasty person at the top ledge keeps batting them and down and away. And they lost their Saturday night game to the Toronto Make Me Laughs. Ouch baby. Very ouch. I am a strong and proud Sens fan as much as the next guy. Been following them since...'97. I don't 'follow' the stats or the points but watch when I can, and make the odd rant here and there. However, playoffs are right round the bend. Should the Sens not make it in (I hope they do, but the way they've been playing....) I have a few teams in mind to consider. I'll save that for another post, but keep an eye out on the Washington Capitals. S...

What a crazy-ass playoff season it's been. My teams of choice have all been eliminated. In the East, the Devils will face off against the Rangers. In the West, the Coyotes will attempt to take out the Kings. My prediction for the Cup Final? Kings vs Rangers.

We are now beginning the next round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Below is the bracket for competing teams. Round by round, who do I like? Between the Rangers and Caps, I could care less as both teams have eliminated teams I like. Between Philly and Jersey, I'm going for Philly (not limited to that one match-up). Moving to the West has St. Louis vs the Kings, where I will go blue. Between Coyotes and Predators, I'd like to see the Preds move on.

The Ottawa Senators have been slain in battle against the New York Rangers.

While we await the Eastern conference round 2 teams, here are my predictions for round 2 for the west....

The Ottawa Senators lost their first game against the New York Rangers. Ottawa fell behind by 4 goals, but managed to snag 2, for a 4-2 loss. The Rangers were all over Ottawa (especially the main defence), and Zack Smith (grr) kept getting us penalties. Meanwhile, the Bruins managed to get their first win of round 1, after a tense game. We'll see how the rest will follow.... As it stands - 'Home' team: 0; 'Playoff Pick' Team: 1

Well, here we go. The first round of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Choose a team, get ready...it's hockey like nobody's business. Here are my thoughts / hopes on the match ups....

There are now only five regular season games left for the Ottawa Senators. They've been fighting really well, and we'll make the playoffs provided the Sens use their heads and don't goof up. Overall the team's had a great year, especially with the fact that we weren't predicted to do that well, Alfie was (and is) the heart and soul of the team. The glue that binds it all together. Or in this case, the hockey tape on the blade of a stick to prevent it from splintering. If this is his last season, he'll make a great exit. Then there's the All Star Games.  Of course with Ottawa coming close, so too are other teams. With Toronto losing to Carolina tonight, they're basically out. Ottawa seems set to play against Buffalo, Washington or Pittsburg...but we'll see exactly who. Either way, great seaosn for the Sens, but let's see how well we are after five games, and after first round of the playoffs....