The Hat Trick

You heard it here first that the Capitals will win this series, and now King Henrik is looking more like Martin Biron, as this series comes down to one game on Tuesday. This brings me to my weekly Hat Trick or the three things I am looking forward to this week.
1) Game 7: How can you not look forward to a Game 7? Two of them are on Tuesday, as the Capitals try to pull off the comeback they could not finish last year vs the Flyers, and face the reeling Rangers. Go with the hot hands in this one as the Capitals have finally figured out Lundqvist, the only reason the Rangers have won 3 games in this series. I will again call out Mr. Ovechkin and want to see him step up and make the second round to help promote this league. The other do-or-die game is at the Rock as the Hurricanes face off against Martin Brodeur and the Devils. Back to back shutouts from both goalies have shown how important the net minders are in this series. Now who do you take; a hall-of-famer who is 5-3 in Game 7’s or the Saskatoon upstart who is a perfect 2-0 in decisive games? I like the Devils in this one, just feel they are deeper and have the home ice advantage and most important have Brodeur, though Ward is a great goalie in this league. We also might have two more from the West, so keep an eye on those series.



2) Who can beat Pittsburgh in the East? Crosby and Malkin are big time players in this league and Marc Andre Fleury, aside from his 2004 blunder off Bryadon Coburn that cost his team a gold medal, has come up big and has seemed to finally reach his full potential as a former number 1 overall pick. This team took out a very talented Flyers team, and in the process showed the bounce back, forget what just happen in the game/period before needed. This is what a team needs to have a long and successful run in the playoffs. Also, I think the Penguins just beat the only opponent that was a true threat to their run to back-to-back Cup finals. No other team in the East side matches up against the two power house players down the middle.



3) With the NFL Draft this past weekend, and watching Mel Kipers hair stand still for 24 hours, makes me think forward to the June 26th night in Montreal, and the big pick for the New York Islanders. Though I still think at the end of the day Toronto will move up and select homeboy John Tavares, but some intrigue has developed at the second slot. The latest International Scouting Services rankings have Brampton Battalion centre Matt Duchene moving past Chara wannabe, and 6’6’’ Victor Hedman. Duchene currently 2nd in the OHL playoffs in goals with 13, and is coming off two straight 30 goals regular seasons, and an amazing +32. The Battalion have march their way to the OHL finals starting on Wednesday and will face off against the Windsor Spitfires. So with no Tavares in the OHL finals, I am interested in seeing how Duchene performs in the finals to increase his buzz for the draft in June. Not to mention his teammate and number 2 ranked prospect by Hockey News, Canucks Cody Hodgson.