CFFL Week 4 Action

Not sure what race, but damn he good!

This week saw some pretty amazing comebacks and exciting action on Monday Night!

Comeback #1: Twins 36 Titans 32
It looked like the Titans were finally going to win their first game of the year by beating the preseason favorite Twins.  After 28 points from their kicker Akers and Nate Washington, the Titans were up 28-12.  No problem right.  Monday Night the Titans brought Tannehill to the game and the Twins had Sproles and Graham.  Sproles TD, Graham TD, Sproles TD and it was only half time of Monday night and the Twins were in the lead 30-28.  Graham would add one more TD to make it 36-28 but the Titans still had Tannehill.  Tannehill only managed one TD to make the final 36-32.





Comeback #2: Ferrets 43 Roulette 37


Lamar Miller scores the game winner!

Late in the game it looked like it was going to be one of those crazy games that you waste not one but two Defense TDs on the board and loose.  Ferrets were down only 21-8 after Roulette got 2 TDs from Peterson and still had Manning yet to play.  Manning then didn't disappoint throwing for 4 TDs (16pts)!  The man is just amazing!  Score was quickly 37-20 in favor of the Roulette after the Ferrets got a defensive TD from the Broncos. Then a Gates TD...Still a lot of points to make up.  Then a blocked punt by the Broncos gave them hope putting them only down by 11.  Sunday night saw Matt Bryant score exactly 11 points.  This game was going into overtime!  Not so fast my friends!  Ferrets running back
Lamar Miller ran from 5 yards out for a TD to give the Ferrets the victory, when all looked lost earlier in the game.

Nina Hartley, Sinistar Fan!

Comeback #3: Sinistars 30 Wrecking Crew 23
Probably the least thrilling of the three comebacks was the Sinistars and Wrecking Crew.  Crew got good performances, but made two big mistakes.  First, they didn't shake the Chislers hand for a trade last week for Flaco for Ponder (Ponder then didn't start in the game for the Vikings). Flaco's 8 points would have given the Crew the 31-30 win.  Second, the Crew didn't start Tony Gonzalez who scored 2 TDs Sunday night, which would have given them a 35-30 win.  Instead leading by only 1 point 23-22 the Crew were out of weapons and the Sinistars had Garrett "Nina" Hartley.  After 2 TDs from the Saints giving them 2 XP the game was over.  Hartley would add 6 more points to make the final 30-23.

High Scoring Team of the Week: Crush 59 points with win over Bees 59-24
Every player scored for the Crush, including the defense except for Heath Miller.  Richardson, Bush, Boldin, Seahawks, all had 6 each.  Succop had 7.  Welker had 12 and Drew Brees posted 16 points.  That is pretty impressive week as the Crush remain undefeated.

Player of the Week: David Akers (Titans), Peyton Manning (Roulette), and Drew Brees (Crush) - 16 points

Three players shared honors as the Player of the Week.  Brees and Manning continue to do what they do, throw tons of TD passes and living up to the #1 and #2 QBs picked in the draft.  David Akers "My Balls" leg was busy on Sunday kicking 16 points. 




Just a random pic of some hot twins.

Around the League: Bums keep pace with the Crush in the West by staying undefeated beating the Dragons 29-20 behind 6 each from Fitzgerald, Garcon, and Jamaal Charles and 0 from Dalton. Dragons still tied for first in South at 2-2...Mafia whacked the Mayhem, put them in the trunk, dug a hole and buried them 40-13 lead by Jennings (yes he is still alive) and Gostkowski's 12 points each. This was the Mafia's first win of the year...The Animals finally woke up and put the beat down on the Krauts 46-20.  Demaryius Thomas had 12 big points and Jordan Cameron in the line up this week scored 6. While this was the Animals first win of the year it was the Krauts 2nd loss in a row after starting 2-0...sound familiar?...Juggernauts had no problem beating the Chislers who had their Green Bay Packers out on a bye.  Dez Bryant was huge getting 2 TD catches.  The defending champs are now 1-3 and have an up hill battle to make the playoffs.

Check back tomorrow for next weeks previews and predictions as the Commissioner is in League Meetings in Vegas this week.

My NFL Thoughts after Week 3

Well three weeks are in the books in the NFL season.  Fall is upon us.  Lets start with my beloved Rams...

Not sure if Bradford is the answer

Austin making great catch in the Endzone

This was suppose to be the year they compete in the West.  After the Week one win against the Cardinals, a win that was expected, they traveled to Atlanta to face the Falcons.  Now I wasn't expecting them to win this game...and they didn't, but they played a tough game, coming back to make it very interesting.  After going down 21-0 to the Falcons they scored 21 points in the second half, 14 in the 4th quarter including Tevon Austin's 2nd TD catch of the game for 10 yards from Bradford to make it 31-24 with 4 minutes to go.  Unfortunately they were not able to complete the comeback. 

Murray just loves the Rams

So then they face a key span of 2 games; at Dallas and then home to face the 49ers.  It was time for the Rams to make a statement to the NFL that this was not the same old Rams.  It was time to let the NFL know the Rams have arrived and were a bona fide playoff contender.  Well sorry to say that "Same Old Rams" still stands.  They go to Dallas and completely lay down.  DeMarco Murray loves the Rams.  His first start he rushed for over 250 yards.  This week he rushed for 175.  The Rams defense looked like a sieve.  They couldn't stop him at all.  Cowboys had their way with the Rams winning 31-7.  Embarrassing.  Now they play a very pissed off 49er team that lost at Seattle and then had the Colts come into San Francisco and punch them right in the neck.

Prick 1 and Prick 2

Seattle Seahawks are starting to look like the real deal.  And if they can get home field advantage in the playoffs, I can't see anyone beating them up there in Seattle with that wild crowd.  I don't know who I hate more.  the 49ers or Seahawks.  Pete Carroll or Jim Harbaugh.  Both drive me crazy....and seem to be arrogant pricks....



Miami Dolphins or Portland Breakers?

Tell you what...some surprise 3-0 teams that I see are in the AFC.  Kansas City Chiefs are one of them.  Looks like Any Reid really makes a difference, not to mention Alex Smith.  Not the most thrilling quarterback, but doesn't turn the ball over.  Andy's return to Philly really was a big game for the Chiefs in prime time...The second team is Miami.  The Dolphins are 3-0 with two impressive victories over two pretty good teams.  First on the road against Andrew Luck and the Colts and then in Miami over the Falcons.  Not too bad, but now comes a Monday night game in New Orleans.  This might be where the Dolphins come back to
earth...By the way, I still think the Dolphins' new uniforms look like something from the USFL....

Peyton Manning...what can I say about the Forehead you could show a movie on?  He has been incredible.  From his 7 TD performance on opening night against the Ravens he looks better than ever.  Watching him on Monday Night versus the Raiders calling out singles, barking out audibles completely picking apart defenses.  I especially loved the simple 13 yard TD pass to Orange Julius Thomas.  Manning yelled out singles calling out Charles Woodson as the "Mike" and boy was he right as Woodson moved in leaving Thomas wide open in the flat for an easy TD.  Its like watching an artist paint on the canvas, a musician creating music...okay I might have a man crush...

Omaha! Omaha! Hump Day!! 

CFFL Week 3 Action

Game and Come back of the Week: Killer Bees 37 Mafia 29

Bears D tallies 12 points!

The Mafia led this game 23-12 late in the game and going into the Sunday and Monday night games.  The Mafia got scoring from Gostkowski (11), Megatron (6) and the Bengal D (6).  The Bees weren't worried though.  While only getting 12 points from Luck and MJD they still had the Bear D and Bronco kicker Matt Prater.  I wouldn't be worried either.  While Matt Forte scored for the Mafia making it 29-12 the Bear D lived up to expectation scoring not once, but twice for the Bees, leaving them only 5 points behind.  Prater would need only 6 points to win the game.  Try 13 for the Denver kicker!!!  Bees get 25 points from their Kicker and Defense to win the game.  Who said not to pick a kicker or Defense until the last rounds of the draft?  Not if its a top Kicker or the Bears or Raven Defense!

16 points for Juggs

Top Team Performance of the Week:  Juggernauts 49 points over Animals
The Juggernauts blasted the Animals for 49 points winning 49-21.  Russell Wilson got 16 and Kenbrell Thomkins "Twins" had 12 for the Juggs.  However the interesting story here is the fact that the Animals benched Jordan Cameron, the stud TE for the Browns.  Cameron scored 18 points!  But that still wouldn't have been enough to beat the Juggs. Better believe the Animals won't be benching Cameron again. 

About damn time Super Stiff!

Battle of the unbeatens: Wrecking Crew 25 Krauts 22, Crush 36 Dragons 14
The Wrecking Crew extracted some revenge from last years loss and a Fantasy Bowl loss to the Krauts.  Cam Newton finally came alive and lived up to his reputation scoring 18 points.  In fact with Newton's 18 they only other points they needed was the 7 from "Beetle" Bailey. It was a good thing too since the Crew watched Sunday Night game go by with no points form Marshall and Bennett who combined for 5 TDs the past 2 weeks....In a surprising upset the Dragons laid an egg against the Crush 36-14.  This was suppose to be a big match up between Rodgers and Brees, but someone forgot to tell Rodgers that.  Brees threw for 18 points for the Crush and was enough to beat the Dragons on his own.  Rodgers struggled and threw only 1 TD. 

Brees runs one in!

Players of the Week:  Cam Newton and Drew Brees - 18 points
Cam Newton finally showed up and threw for 3 TDs and ran another one in for the Wrecking Crew.  Brees, whose expected to put up big numbers, did the same for the Crush.  Both QBs helped keep their teams undefeated. 

Honorable mentions:  Bears and Ravens Defense.
No matter who is playing for these defenses or who is coaching them they seem to always score and defy the Fantasy Experts who say "Never pick a defense until the last round".  Well when it comes to these two teams you can throw that advice right out the window.  Both teams scored 12 each and expect that to happen again yet this year.

Ravens Defense/ST worth a high pick!

Around the League:  Roulette beat the Chislers 31-17

eh....what?

in a game that appeared close after Sunday's afternoon games, but when Antonio Brown scored twice Sunday night it was all over, plus Manning then put up 12 points Monday to make sure...Sinistars defeated the Ferrets 33-23 after the Ferrets Bizlat QB Kaepernick posted a goose egg on the board and has struggled the past two weeks.  11 points from Matt Bryant couldn't help the Ferrets.  Sinistars were well balanced getting 8 from Stafford, 6 from Murray, Commissioner Gordon and the Chief D....Mayhem had the Twins their 3rd loss 32-26 with 12 big points from Mason "Consolidated" Crosby and 8 points from Pretty Boy Brady.  Jimmy Graham had 12 points for the Twins who now are 0-3 (after being one of the favorites to make it to the Fantasy Bowl)...Well the Titans lose again...is this even news?  Bums took care of business 39-15.  Bums were lead by the Raven defense's 12 points.  Bums left in Weeden, who was hurt and didn't play, but didn't hurt them.  Titans left in the Mouth Breather Eli Manning, while Tannehill tossed in 8 points.  Why the heck are the Titans starting Manning instead
of Tannehill.  Don't they know the right move is Tannehill???

North:  Crew lead by 2 games over the Chislers and Ferrets, while Animals are 0-3...they just can't seem to figure things out
East: Krauts, Roulette and Sinistars are all 2-1 and Juggs after scoring weekly high 49 points are only a game behind.  Will be a battle all year in this division.
South: As is tradition this division is between three teams not named Titans.  Dragons, Bees and Mayhem are all 2-1
West:  Starting to shape into the haves and the have nots.  Bums and Crush are 3-0 while the Mafia and Twins are 0-3.

CFFL Week 2 Review

Week 2 are in the books in the CFFL and there are already only 5 teams that are undefeated and 5 that are still in search of their first victory. 

Game of the Week:  Sinistars 31 Juggernauts 30

Brown Eye never misses now he's not a Ram..

This game was not as close as the score indicated but got real interesting in the final minutes as the Juggernauts, down 31-18 mounted a comeback getting 2 TD runs from Giovani Bernard in Monday Night Football.  His last TD coming in the middle of the third quarter made Sinistar owner sweat out the final quarter and half of that game.  The Sinistars didn't get a single point from their running backs of Rice and Murray not to mention Rice went out of the game with a hip injury.  But their passing attack tallied 20 points (Stafford, Jackson and Daniels) while Josh Brown "Eye" kicked in a big 11 points.

Lynch flashing his Beast Mode sign

Player of the Week: Marshawn "Beast Mode" Lynch - 18 points
Marshawn Lynch almost single handed completed a huge come back over the Ferrets but came up one score short.  The Animals were down 27-6 going into the Sunday Night game and with Kaepernick putting up a goose egg it still looked like the Ferrets wouldn't have any problem.  But then again when Lynch goes Beast Mode and creates earth quakes in the upper northwest, you just never know.  But Ferrets did hold on for the 27-24 victory.


Top Team of the Week: Dragons score 41 in victory over Mayhem.


Rodgers tosses 4 TD passes!

The Dragons continue to roll and might have figured out how to put together a championship run with one of the best QBs in the league in Aaron Rodgers.  This week Aaron Rodgers threw for 4 TD passes and 2 of them went to Dragon WR Jordy Nelson for the dreaded 10 point connection twice!  That's a quick 20 points.  In fact that was nearly enough to beat the Mayhem who only scored 20.



Olsen's 10 point connection

Around the League....The Wrecking Crew beat their bitter rival Chislers in the Brother Battle 30-21 thanks to a 10 point connection from Newton to Olsen "Twins". The win gives the Crew an early advantage in the North Division race...Krauts move to 2-0 beating the Roulette 32-20 and are not happy being predicted last in thee East, but wait, the Krauts started last year 3-0 and then only won 2 more games rest of the season.  What happen to the Roulette after scorching the score boards for 65 points last week.  I guess Manning can't throw 7 TDs every week....Bees roll to an easy win over the Titans 21-7.  Titans, starting the Mouth Breather didn't help as they managed just only 4 points from Manning...Bums, who also were picked last, win again and move to 2-0 whacking the Mafia 33-29 with no points from their Ginger QB Weeden. 6 each from Bradshaw, Charles "In Charge" Garcon, and waiver pick of the
year Julius "Orange" Thomas helped the cause...The Crush give the Twins their second straight loss and move to a tie with the Bums at 2-0.  RGIII did manage 12 points for the Twins, but didn't get much else help..

Week 3 Match Up of the Week:  This includes battle of the unbeatens.  The Wrecking Crew take on the Krauts and are hoping to send them to the showers like they did last year and in the damn Fantasy Bowl.  Key to this game will be if the Krauts finally pull the trigger on letting Vick back in the starting line up after two great weeks....Dragons and Crush are also 2-0 and are looking to move to 3-0.  Rodgers vs. Brees.  My money is on Rodgers and the Dragons as they are on a roll. 

CFFL Season Has Begun! Week 1 Review

Thank you NBC!

The CFFL season has kicked off and what a week it was starting on Thursday night...Thank you NBC for this shot! 


Player of the Week: Payton Manning of course.  I mean wow!  7 TDs tying the NFL record for TDs in a game joining some pretty good all time CFFL players.  I mean who could forget the Y.A. Tittles performance in that 1962 CFFL Game?... Manning is better than ever and is teamed up with Peterson on the Roulette and gives this team a real chance at a run at the title. 

Game of the Week:  Wrecking Crew 34  Animals 33 - The Crew hung on late into the night to outlast the Animals by one point.  The Crew apparently got a little "Chisler Luck" in this one.  After only getting 4 points from Newton (Crew passed on Luck for Newton...d'oh!) and getting 6 each from Gore's Knee, Marshall, and Gonzalez it was coming down to the night games starting on Sunday as the Animals had Romo and Austin versus "Team Bailey".  While Romo got 2 TD passes none went to Austin, and Bailey got 12 points thanks to plenty of "stalls" from the Cowboys.  Onto the Monday Night Games and the Animals were down by 8 with only the Houston Kicker Bullock left.  More "Chisler Luck" in this one as he missed a field goal in the first half.  Then they took off a filed goal in the second half after a penalty ultimately scoring 7 points coming up 1 point short.  "Better to be lucky than good in this league" said owner Roy Cherry of the Crew.

Comeback of the Week (and Bonehead move of the week): Mayhem 42 Titans 32.  After getting 12 big points from A.J. Green and then 6 from Brandon Myers on Sunday night the Titans lead the Mayhem 32-26.  Two problems.  First, Mayhem had 5 guys playing Monday Night (Vincent Brown, McCoy, Andre Johnson, Texan Defense, and Ben "taste of" Tate).  McCoy scored to tie the game and then Vincent Brown and the Texan Defense both scored to put the game away.  Second, the Titans benched starter Eli Manning for Tannehill...wait, what? Yes.  Tannehill had 4, Manning had 16! Titans would have won the game with the Mouth Breather.  Hence why Titans continue to be at the bottom of the league.

Impressive Performances: The Roulette are going to be tough this year.  As one owner said on Sunday, "All they need is a decent kicker and will beat teams with 3 players".  That's a fact.  The Sinistars scored a respectable 39 points was no match to the Roulette's 65.  Manning had 28.  Peterson had 18 and Greg "The Leg" Zuerlein had 13!! Oh and the Defense threw in 6 for good measure.  Goodness! 

Dragons also racked up 60 points beating a pretty decent Bees team lead by Andrew Luck's 14 points (man I should have drafted him instead).  It was a well rounded attack by the Dragons.  Rodgers had 12, Cruz salsaed in 18 big points!  12 from Witten and 6 each from Julio Jones and McFadden.  So that's 30 points from one game (Giants vs Cowboy game).  Wow!

Jughead strikes again for the Chislers

In other games...Chislers picked up right where they left off, winning the opener against the Ferrets 38-17 lead again by Jughead River's 16 points.  Ferrets only managed 17 from kicker and QB Biz lat. RB and WR shutout...Krauts won a ho-hummer 23-10 over Juggernauts.  Krauts started good last year too and then finished last.  Juggs Rookie and 2nd year player experiment not working yet...Bums continue to defy the critics and took out the heavily favored Twins 40-29. Waiver wire of the week was Julius Thomas picked up right before the game and scores 12 points....Crush beat the Mafia 36-31 lead by 12 points from Welker...

Key Games of Next Week:  Wrecking Crew at Chislers and Dragons at Mayhem.  Both are huge rivalries.  The Cherry Brothers have been battling for 29 years in this league including 2 Fantasy Bowls.  Winner gets early edge in the North Standings.  Dragons and Mayhem typically battle for that Sad Sack South division every year, close friends, bitter enemies. Dragons on a roll though this year.

East Conference Semifinal Predictions

I only went 2-2 in my East picks, but losing the Habs pick and the Leafs pick who played my beloved Bruins was worth the losses...

#7 Senators vs. #1 Penguins

Mister Anderson!

The Senators who played hard in April to make the playoffs went on to upset the fadding Canadiens in the first round in 6 games.  A team that didn't really have any offensive fire power coming into the playoffs, the Sens tallied 6 goals in two games and 12-0 over Habs in the 3rd period.  Alfersodsson is the leader of this team with 6 points along with Karlsson who also has 6 points.  The goal scorers have been Pageau, Turris and Conacher all who had 3 goals each.  They will need all that and more to beat the high powered Penguins.  Craig "Mister" Anderson was impressive allowing only 9 goals and a .950 save percentage.  He will be key in this series.  As Anderson goes as goes the Sens.

Crosby back with the broken jaw

In a series that the Penguins should have swept, the Islanders took them to 6 games before the Pens finally moved on to the next round.  The Penguins certainly don't lack in offensive talent.  Malkin leads the team in points with 11, Crosby and Iginla both with 9, plus Dupuis has 5 goals. I could go on and on with players like James Neal, Kris Letang and Chris Kunitz, but I already did that....oops just did it again.  However what this team has in offense it lacks in defense.  The top players in points I mentioned are a combined -2 in +/-.  They had to bench a struggeling Fluery after giving up 6 goals in the game 4 loss (and giving up 4 goals in the previous two games).  How many were his fault...a lot but the Pens best defense is its offense.


The Sensators are a tough team and proved they can play with anyone.  The Penguins have shown that they certainly have some chinks in their armor after the series agains the Islanders.  Vokoun will likely be in the net entire series and has played well after releiving Fluery.  Look for the Pens to move on.  Penguins 4-2




#6 Rangers vs. #4 Bruins

Yet another Original 6 match up and what a doosey this one should be.  Its amazing that the last time these two teams last met in the playoffs was 1973, a victory by the Rangers in 5 games after the Bruins won the Cup in 1972. 

Lundqvist came up big with 2 shutouts

It took the Rangers 7 games to defeat the Capitals but it didn't seem that close.  The Rangers, after going down 3-2 turned to Lundqvist who came up with 2 straight shutouts to send Ovechkin and the Capitals home once again.  Brassard has been the leading scorer for the Rangers with 9 points.  Team scoring was the theme as 11 different players scored goals and Rick Nash was not one of them.  Just imagine if Nash gets going.  The team thrives on defense and goal tending.  Only 5 players had a +/- rating in the negatives.  Lundqvist has been incredible and will be key to victory for the Rangers.  They have the grit and the goal tending needed to make a Cup run. 




AMAZING!

Well what can I say about the Bruins.  They made the most incredible, historical comeback in NHL history beating the Leafs in game 7 in OT after trailing 4-1 more than halfway through the 3rd period.  The Bruins play a similar game as the Rangers.  Tough defense and good goal tending.  The Lucic, Horton, Krejci line that was somewhat silent in the regular season has been money in the post season.  David Krejci leads the league with 13 points in the post season and 5 goals, while Horton leads the league in +/- with +11.  They really need the Marchand, Bergeron line to start to produce.  Seguin has been suspect and in game 7 against the Leafs was replaced with Jagr on that line.  Chara is the leader on the ice and in the locker room, almost willing this team to win that dramatic game 7.  Rask in net has a pedastrian 2.49 goals against.  Give aways in their own zone still an issue with this team.

The Rangers won two out of the three games they played against the Bruins, but both games they won were 1 goal games with one being a shoot out.  Both teams don't score a ton, at least not yet.  Lundqvist ceratinly has the edge on Rask.  The Bruins' D has the edge along with the number one line.  This will be a tough one and go 7 games easily.  Will Lundqvist carry the Rangers on to the Eastern Conference Finals or will the momentum of the comeback game 7 win by the Bruins over the Maple Leafs carry them one step closer to the Stanley Cup? Can the Bruins D get healthy? Bruins in 7 (this series can go either way...total pick'em)

West Conference Semifinal Predictions

Well after going 4-0 in my predictions in the West's first round of the NHL playoffs picking the Blackhawks, Sharks, Kings and Red Wings its time to look at the Semifinal match ups.

#6 Sharks vs. #5 Kings

Pavelski will be key

Truly a rivalry match up between the Kings and Sharks.  Sharks are coming off a sweep of the Canucks.  Joe Pavelski lead the Sharks with 4 goals in that series along with 4 assists.  Logan Couture had 8 points too with 3 goals and 5 assists.  The other two big boys Thornton and Marleau combined for 11 points.  That is truly the Sharks team.  Niemi in goal was money as well with a 1.86 Goals against and a .937 save percentage. 





Carter the Kings sharp shooter

The experienced Kings took advantage of the inexperience on the Blues and took that series in 6.  Mike Richards lead the team with 5 points (all assists) while Jeff Carter continued his goal scoring prowess with 3 goals in that series. Kopitar the Zombie had 3 assists and truly by the end of the series looked like a Zombie (did anyone see the after game interviews?).  Despite losing 2 games, Quick had a goals against of 1.58 and a save percentage of .944.  Quick only gave up 4 goals in the first 2 games of the series in which they lost but then won the next 4.

In the regular season the Sharks won the season series 2-1.  All the games were one goal games including a 3-2 shoot out victory by the Sharks.  The Kings have had problems scoring goals at time and will now face a red hot Niemi whose last loss was the season finale versus the Kings.  Quick has been hot and cold throughout the season, but could be getting hot at the right time.  Kings will need to get more than Carter to score some goals to come aways with this one.  I see the Sharks as last year's Kings. Sharks win 4-2.

#7 Red Wings vs. #1 Blackhawks

Another Original 6 matchup in the playoffs and a great long term rivalry between Chicago and Detroit.  It took 7 games for the Red Wings to defeat the Ducks and had to win the final 2 games to do it.  The Wings needed to get production out of Zetterberg and Datsyuk in order to have a chance versus the Ducks and they did.  Zetterberg had 3 goals and 5 assists while Datsyuk tallied 2 goals and 5 assists.  Jimmy Howard continued to make a ton of great saves but did give up a lot of goals, 20 to be exact.  4 of the games versus the Ducks were in OT in which the Wings went 3-1.  Will they have enough in the tank for the next round?

Sharp 5 goals

The Blackhawks have been the favorite to return to the Stanley Cup since they started the season in record fashion.  It took them only 5 games to move on to the next round beating the Wild who were completely decimated in goal before the series even started.  The Hawks have Kane, Hossa and Toews, but their leader in the in the playoffs is the other Patrick, Patrick Sharp who has 5 goals in 5 games, nice average.

This is where the Red Wings playoff trip stops.  The gritty Wings will play hard against the Blackhawks but Chicago will be too much.  Howard - 20 goals versus Crawford's 7 goals in the playoffs?  Howard will have to stand on his head to give the Wings a chance.  This will be a fun one to watch.  Too much offense that goes 4 lines deep for the Blackhawks.  Hawks 4-2