Weird Observation

I became aware of something the other day while watching re-runs of the Winter Classic on NHL Network, and I'm surprised that I never noticed it before. Over the past 4 years, one of the teams playing in the Classic went on to win the Stanley Cup the next year.

The Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins were the two teams in the 2008 Classic. The Penguins won the Stanley Cup in 2009.

The 2009 Winter Classic was between the Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks. The Blackhawks won the Cup in 2010.

The 2010 Winter Classic featured the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers. Who was the 2011 Stanley Cup champion? The Bruins.

If this pattern continues, either the Washington Capitals or Pittsburgh Penguins will win it all in 2012. As for 2013? The champs will be the Philadelphia Flyers* or the New York Rangers.

God, I hope this pattern ends. If it doesn't, my St.Louis Blues will never get a chance to win the freaking Stanley Cup because they will never be chosen for the Winter Classic. As far as NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman is concerned, the NHL only consists of Detroit, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington, and the New York Rangers. Yeah, let's just ignore the fact that there are 23 other teams that deserve a chance for national exposure and continue to crawl further up the collective asses of the Chosen 7.

*I like the Flyers, so I wouldn't mind seeing them win (hi, Aubrey! lol...)

Future Boyfriend, Take Note

Free Agent Frenzy?

More like free agent fizzle, at least for this fan of the St.Louis Blues. I wasn't really expecting any blockbuster signings (due to the team being for sale again) but c'mon! The only free agent the Blues signed was goaltender Brian Elliot? No offense to Elliot, but I thought we already had a solid back up goalie in Ty Conklin. And where does this leave Ben Bishop and Jake Allen?

I was hoping we could sign at least one forward or defensemen from the UFA pool, but it seems like the same four teams (Florida, Philadelphia, Dallas, and Columbus...I'm looking at you) have greedily snatched up all the desirables. Watching all these teams take steps to better themselves while your team does nothing but sit with their thumbs up their butt really bites.

At least TJ Oshie and Matt D'Agostini were re-signed. I can put away the torch and pitchfork and cancel the revolution. For now.

Is It October yet?

The St.Louis Blues released their 2011-2012 schedule on Wednesday. The games I'm most interested in attending?

• Oct. 8: Nashville Predators
• Nov. 4: Vancouver Canucks
• Nov. 12: Tampa Bay Lightning
• Dec. 26: Dallas Stars
• Jan. 21: Buffalo Sabres
• Feb. 18: Minnesota Wild
• March 10: Columbus Blue Jackets

The Lightning game on Nov. 12 is a definite. I wanted to see them when they were in St.Louis a couple of years ago, but thanks to bronchitis and stomach flu, both my best friend and I were too sick to travel :( I'd like to make it to at least one other game next season, but that depends on my money situation.

One of the items on my bucket list is to see all 30 NHL teams play in person. So far, I’ve seen the Blackhawks, Avalanche, Sharks, Hurricanes, Penguins, Maple Leafs, Capitals, and Flyers. 9 down, 20 to go.

Jon Hamm For NHL Commissioner!

Gary Bettman needs to step aside and let Jon Hamm take over the league. With Hamm in charge, the St.Louis Blues couldn't lose ;)

Congratulations Boston Bruins...

...2011 Stanley Cup Champions!

P.S. Please take extra special care of the Cup this summer because we want it in excellent condition when it comes to St.Louis next June!

Stanley Cup Playoffs 2011: Finals Prediction

Vancouver Canucks vs. Boston Bruins: Boston in 7

Additional note(s): Man, it's so hard to predict who will win the Stanley Cup because both teams have stellar goaltenders in Roberto Luongo (Vancouver) and Tim Thomas (Boston). It really could go either way, but I like Boston's grit, so I'm going with them. Plus, that Zdeno Chara is a beast.

For the record, my predictions for the last round sucked. Didn't get either one of them right.

Stanley Cup Playoffs 2011: Conference Finals Predictions

Eastern Conference:
(3) Boston Bruins vs. (5) Tampa Bay Lightning: Tampa Bay in 6

Additional note(s): In a nutshell, this series is going to be a battle between Tim Thomas' outstanding goaltending and Tampa Bay's offense (St.Louis, Stamkos, Bergenheim, and Lecavalier), with the offense eventually winning out.

Western Conference:
(1) Vancouver Canucks vs. (2) San Jose Sharks: San Jose in 7

Additional note(s): Go Sharks!

Gary Bettman Needs To Take A Chill Pill

NHL Forces Vancouver 'Green Men' To Stop Touching Glass, Doing Handstands In Effort To Remove All Fun From Games

Are you kidding me?!? I'm not a fan of the Vancouver Canucks, but I freaking love the 'green guys'. For you non-hockey people out there, the 'green guys' are two Canucks fans dressed head-to-toe in green spandex who sit next to the penalty box and torment penalized players from the opposing team.

I don't understand what the big deal is. It's not like they're physically harming the players or the fans around them. It's just good, clean fun. Way to be a killjoy, Bettman.

Click the link above to watch some of the 'green guys' finest moments.

For Larry And Teena

Fred and George Weasley (or is it George and Fred?) in Maple Leafs jerseys.

Stanley Cup Playoffs 2011: Semi-Final Predictions

Eastern Conference:
(1) Washington Capitals vs. (5) Tampa Bay Lightning: Washington in 7
(2) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (3) Boston Bruins: Philadelphia in 7

Additional note(s): Although I picked the Capitals to win, I hope I'm wrong. I fell in love with Martin St.Louis and the Bolts during their amazing Cup run back in 2004. I like Timmy Thomas and the Bruins too, but I'm a Philly girl at heart, so I'm going with the Flyers.

Western Conference:
(1) Vancouver Canucks vs. (5) Nashville Predators: Vancouver in 7
(2) San Jose Sharks vs. (3) Detroit Red Wings: Detroit in 6

Additional note(s): Out of all the remaining teams, Nashville has the best possible chance for an upset. I chose the Canucks, but I wouldn't be surprised if Pekka Rinne helps the Preds get past Greasy Lu and the Creepy Sedins. Go Sharks!

P.S. I went 7 for 8 in my Quarter-Final picks. Damn Dead Things.

Oh, Danny Briere

Why are you so damn adorable?!? My ovaries did flip flops after seeing this picture. I want to make babies with you, and I don't even like babies all that much.

Stanley Cup Playoffs 2011: Quarterfinal Predictions

Eastern Conference:
(1) Washington Capitals vs. (8) New York Rangers: Capitals in 6
(2) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (7) Buffalo Sabres: Flyers in 7
(3) Boston Bruins vs. (6) Montreal Canadiens: Bruins in 5
(4) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (5) Tampa Bay Lightning: Lightning in 7

Additional note(s): As much as I like watching the Caps, Flyers, and Lightning, I am the most excited over the Boston-Montreal match up. I can't wait to watch Canadiens fans lose their shit any time Zdeno Chara is seen and/or mentioned. I hope the city of Montreal is increasing police patrols; if the Bruins win the series, I can see the Les Habitants faithful burning cars, smashing shop windows, and overturning cars in protest.

Western Conference:
(1) Vancouver Canucks vs. (8) Chicago Blackhawks: Canucks in 6
(2) San Jose Sharks vs. (7) Los Angeles Kings: Sharks in 5
(3) Detroit Red Wings vs. (6) Phoenix Coyotes: Coyotes in 7
(4) Anaheim Ducks vs. (5) Nashville Predators: Predators in 7

Additional note(s): "Dear eight pound, six ounce , newborn Baby Jesus, don't even know a word yet, just a little infant, so cuddly but still omnipotent", please please PLEASE do me a favor and take out the Dead Things (*cough Evil Red Empire) and the Shithawks (especially the Douche Lord) in round one. Lets go Coyotes and Sharks!