2014 Stanley Cup (Round 1)

The 2013-14 Season is in the history books for the National Hockey League.  It was a memorable season; is the polite thing to say but it will soon blend into all the other seasons with a few standout moments both personally and professionally.  Regardless, this year is the first post-season to feature the most current alignment with the introduction of Wild Cards.

Many analysts have incorrectly stated that the NHL Playoffs are split into divisional play, which is untrue per se. However, all four conferences are guaranteed to have at least one series (between its second- and third-seeded teams).

NHL EASTERN CONFERENCE
BOSTON BRUINS* vs. DETROIT RED WINGS
Assessment: For years, Detroit Red Wings have been the most difficult team to eliminate from the post-season, but I think that distinction has belonged to Boston Bruins ever since their embarrassing 2010 series loss after dropping a 3-0 lead. It would seem as though Detroit Red Wings are vulnerable to a loss, but they have been playing for their post-season livelihood for the past month, so they are in Stanley Cup mode already. That edge alone is often enough to earn my favor, but add in what Boston Bruins have done since March, and they have saw more losses than wins in April. Not to mention the President Trophy curse.
Prediction: Detroit Red Wings in 6-7 games.

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING vs. MONTREAL CANADIENS
Assessment: If Montreal Canadiens have taught us anything this season is that they can win or lose any game. Often they came through in tight spots against better teams, and, almost as often, they fumbled when a sure win was predictable. Unfortunately, Tampa Bay Lightning will have to overcome the embarrassment of Ryan Malone, and I expect the team will be out of favor on questionable calls. Ryan Callahan will shine, but personally I doubt he will outshine Max Pacioretty. Meanwhile, Carey Price will be the toughest to beat between the creases.
Prediction: Montreal Canadiens in 6-7 games.

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS vs. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
Assessment: I am more emotionally linked to the Atlantic division than the Metropolitan division, so this series means less to me than the others. Regardless, it is an interesting series between the odds-on favorite Pittsburgh Penguins and perennial underdog Columbus Blue Jackets. In case you have missed it, Columbus has a good franchise right now. They have a lot to prove, and I do not see them bowing out without making a point. This year will get them into the dance. Next year will be bigger.
Prediction: Pittsburgh Penguins in 5-6 games.

NEW YORK RANGERS vs. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
Assessment: I have had a soft spot for New York Rangers since 1994. I was eagerly anticipating a NY/LA finals in the 2012 Stanley Cup. Unfortunately, that series did not come to pass and the team has had a lot of restructuring since then, but they are still a good team at their core. Meanwhile, Philadelphia Flyers zigged when they should have zagged by hiring Ilya Bryzgalov, and I do not think they have been a playoff-ready team since then.
Prediction: New York Rangers in 5-6 games.


NHL WESTERN CONFERENCE
COLORADO AVALANCHE vs. MINNESOTA WILD
Assessment: In his rookie year as a player, Patrick Roy won the 1986 Stanley Cup. In his rookie year as a head coach, Patrick Roy could win the 2014 Stanley Cup. Unfortunately, the odds are stacked against him to the Nth degree. Personally, I would be thrilled to see him accomplish that aforementioned feat. Realistically, I do not see it happening. However, I have felt for a while that Minnesota Wild are a dangerous team laying in wait. This year, I expect them to go the distance.
Prediction: Minnesota Wild in 6-7 games.

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS** vs. ST. LOUIS BLUES
Assessment: It has been rare to see a team repeat as Stanley Cup champions. In 2008 and again in 2009, Detroit Red Wings faced Pittsburgh Penguins in the finals, but each team won one. In 2013, the final four teams were the most recent four Cup winners. Therefore, Chicago Blackhawks will remember the 2011 Playoffs, where they were eliminated in the first round, and they will know better than to fall into that same pitfall. That said, conjuring up the will to push through the following rounds is questionable. But I will leave that for later. St. Louis Blues have not gelled with Ryan Miller yet, and they will likely come back stronger next year.
Prediction: Chicago Blackhawks in 4-5 games.


ANAHEIM DUCKS vs. DALLAS STARS
Assessment: Dallas Stars were the last team to clinch their post-season spot. The biggest downfall of Anaheim Ducks is their age. The biggest downfall of Dallas Stars is their inexperience. In this round, I am expecting experience to prevail over youth. However, I have to admit that Dallas Stars have a winning team. If everything gels sooner than expected, then they could have that deep playoff run that I am expecting out of Minnesota.
Prediction: Anaheim Ducks in 4-5 games.

SAN JOSE SHARKS vs. LOS ANGELES KINGS
Assessment: These two teams are increasingly bitter rivals because they are so well matched. If this series does not go to Game 7, then hockey fans should feel cheated. For most of the past five years, analysts have expected big things from San Jose Sharks. While they never lived up to those expectations, their core has not changed enough to discredit them entirely. Unfortunately, I still think LA Kings are the stronger team altogether, and that edge should make the difference when it matters most.
Prediction: Los Angeles Kings in 6-7 games.



* - President's Trophy winners.
** - Defending champions.

Remembering The Ulllllltimate Warrior

This past weekend, I attended WrestleMania XXX in Nawlins. It was my second time in The Big Easy, and my first trip was 14 years prior when I took home a sweet little kitten with whom I lived for the next 14 years until his passing at the end of last year. Before he died, I had purchased a nosebleed seat for the event to provide the option of attending or cutting the small loss. When he died, I decided I should take his remains with me and spread him in the place where he was born. Ashes to ashes, end it where it began.

Unfortunately, my cat's journey drew parallels to a similar journey of a far grander scale. A round-trip pilgrimage embraced by legions of cosmic voices and powered by rocket fuel. A preordained destiny into immorality and a grandiose celebration of its fulfillment for a sendoff.

Known to to wrestling fans and '90s pop culture as the Ultimate Warrior, the man born James Helwig passed on April 8, 2014, in Scottsdale, Arizona, shortly after burying a long-standing hatchet with WWE. First, Warrior made amends with the company, becoming the first name announced to the WWE Hall of Fame, Class of 2014 (after leading promotional material for WWE 2K14 several months earlier). His induction on Saturday night was followed by a traditional introduction at WrestleMania XXX on Sunday and a brief in-ring appearance the following night. On Tuesday, Warrior died.

During his Hall of Fame induction speech and especially during his Monday night soapbox, Warrior spoke often of the legacy he created and the temporary nature of life. "Every man's heart one day beats its final beat, his lungs breath their final breath. If what that man did in his life makes the blood pulse through the body of others and makes them believe in something larger than life, his essence and spirit will be immortalized." Concluding, "I am the Ultimate Warrior, you (fans) are the Ultimate Warrior, and the spirit of the Ultimate Warrior will run forever!"

Whether he knew he would nearing his mortality or whether he was rattling off his quirky, fatalistic ramblings of old is a matter of conjecture. As he left behind a wife of 18 years and two young daughters, Warrior's death was unquestionably a tragedy, and there is no consolation to remedy their loss.

As for wrestling fans, our story of the Ultimate Warrior was a beautiful epic played out in living colour. Fans knew the Ultimate Warrior as a character (and, seemingly, as a person) was racing to the rapid beat of his own theme music. Many fans loved him for it. Some fans mocked him for it. Fans embraced him for it and laughed with him for it. Some people found themselves in all four categories, including myself.

While I cannot provide concrete evidence that the Ultimate Warrior was ever my favorite wrestler, I can honestly attest that he was definitely one of my favorites. Case in point, I attended WWE Fan Axxess this weekend, and SyFy Face-Off had a booth through which you could have your photo taken as one of your favorite wrestlers, including Hulk Hogan, Daniel Bryan, Bray Wyatt, Rey Mysterio, and others. Myself, I picked the Ultimate Warrior.

My unity to the Ultimate Warrior was etched by his passing. Not just because I was in attendance of WrestleMania weekend festivities, including his Hall of Fame Induction. Not just because the Scottsdale hotel where he collapsed is on the other side of the wall from where I work. But unwittingly honoring a man for his lifetime achievements before his own death drew stark comparisons to my own father's life. My father left his job of 10 years as hospital administrator to work his last few years before retirement as a pharmacist. His workers threw him a weeks-long retirement celebration. Two days into his new job, he died. All those who had been honoring him and thanking him for his accomplishments instantaneously started mourning him. Many voiced shock as "I cannot believe it" but it is so rare that a man who passes away before his time (my father was 50-years-old; Warrior was 54-years-old) is present as his impact is articulated by his peers and those who he influenced. Many say it's a lucky few. Some say it happens for those who accomplished his life's purpose.

In this most recent case, it leaves a legacy for the storytellers to continue, and it immortalizes a larger-than-life character who fulfilled his ultimate destiny.