. . . They're back!

The 2007-08 NHL playoffs begin tonight.
First some predictions:

Penguins in 7 (it hurt to type that)
Rangers in 6
Capitals in 6
Habs in 6
Ducks in 5
Wild in 7
Sharks in 6
Red Wings in 5

It's painful to predict a Penguins win, especially after they tanked the last game of the season for a first round match-up with Ottawa.
Disgraceful.
But, Ottawa's captain is injured, and linch-pins Mike Fisher and Chris Kelly are both nursing wounded limbs. Pittsburgh's mental make up won't bring them the Cup, but it will allow them to win against a decimated Ottawa squad.
Unless . . . (cue Rocky music) a miracle happens and Dany Heatley and Jason Spezza play like Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky.
And the rest of the team turn into the Broad Street bullies, and pound the weak-spirited (but talented) Penguins.
If only.
I predict San Jose and Montreal in the Cup Final (also leaning towards New York Rangers and Anaheim final, but you can only make one prediction.)
I also predict that certain people from Cornwall will pick Ottawa to win the Cup no matter how many injuries they have.

Our office recently held our office pool and I chose: Brooks Laich, Wash., Ryan Carter, Ana., definitely two dark horses, together with an injured? Corey Perry.
Well, I guess if you're taking the plunge better to jump in with both feet at the same time.
I also managed to snag Joe Thornton, S.J., Brian Campbell, S.J., Milan Michalek, S.J. and Patrick Marleau, S.J. as well as Sykora and Malone from Pittsburgh and Semin and Federov from Washington -- I think they will advance to the second round, courtesy of a hot goalie, hot team and a scorching Ovechkin.

I haven't updated my blog for a while, and for that I must hang my head in shame.
There.
Shame's over.
And oh yes . . .
In case I didn't mention it,
I'm back baby.