On the heels of Anaheim coach Bruce Boudreau being fired on Friday morning, comes the draft-delayed second round preview of the Stanley Cup playoffs that I in no way amended after Friday night’s results. I went 6-8 with my opening round predictions, so let’s see if I can keep the toonies rolling here.
Now, most Canadians at this point have abandoned watching the playoffs in favour of thawing out the barbecue equipment in advance of the May 2-4 weekend.
That’s expected. What’s surprising is that the NHL has tried to appeal to Canadians by having four series that, on paper look the equivalent of tan, taupe, beige and maple syrup. Our national flavours! So, let’s dig in.
Eastern Conference: (* – if necessary)
Pittsburgh vs. Washington (Th, Sat, M, W, Sat*, Tu*, Th*)
- This series should be the best of the four, much like maple syrup is the best of the brown colour spectrum. High powered offence; semi-competent defence; and tacticians for coaches. The dividing factor is going to be in net. Braden Holtby for Washington is a known commodity. Pittsburgh is still waiting for Marc-Andre Fleury to stop seeing visions of Bonhomme every time he closes his eyes. If Murray and the other kid can’t keep up, it’s going to go Washington’s way pretty quickly. Washington in 6
NY Islanders vs. Tampa Bay (W, Sat, Tu, F, Sun*, Tu*, Th*)
- Well, now we enter the bland colour wheel. This is the series Gary Bettman is hoping goes his way. He’s already lost the Rangers, Blackhawks and Kings; at least the Isles can claim to be a New York market for TV purposes. If he loses them, there’ll be pretty much no East Coast interest outside of DC. That’ll do wonders for ad revenue and the salary cap next year. If Tampa were to get Stamkos back, they might’ve had a chance, but they don’t have enough lines, and Griess is having one of those playoff years NHL legends get written about. Islanders in 6
Western Conference:
St. Louis vs. Dallas (F, Sun, Tu, Th, Sat*, M*, W*)
- This could be a good series, but could also be boring as hell. It all depends on which Dallas team shows up. If it’s the hurt, hit, and slow-down-the-game Stars, then prepare for a lot of 1-0 or 2-1 games. But if it’s the run & gun Stars, then it’s going to be fantastic, because that’s the only gear the Blues have. GOALS FOR EVERYONE! Deciding factor: Brian Elliot. The Moose is hot right now, and I think – like the Canucks in 2011 – once the Blues got the Hawks monkey off their back, they could be in for a magical run. Blues in 7
Nashville vs. San Jose (F, Sun, Tu, Th, Sat*, M*, Th*)
- I see no redeeming value in watching this series, other than the fact that I will be in Nashville in time for Game 6, so you bet your ass I’ll be looking for a ticket if it gets that far. But, it won’t, much to Covalent Blonde’s relief. Sharks in 5
At this point, Gary Bettman’s best hope for ratings is a Blues – Islanders or Blues – Capitals final. However, what would kill him would be Tampa – Nashville. Decisions, decisions…
Oh – the NHL Draft Lottery is Saturday night. All 7 Canadian teams are in it, looking to draft a Swiss kid from America – Auston Matthews – number 1. Toronto has a 20% chance of getting the first pick, which means they will probably won’t because God and Canada (outside the 416) hates the Leafs – that’s the only national sport we have left at this point.
Buckcherry – Crazy Bitch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKX8v46Z11E
As much I want to turn this shit up to eleven, I can’t.
Saw them (10,000 that is) open for REM way way too long ago.
Great show tho.
That one was at Cameron Indoor on DUKE’s campus.
Christ, shoot me now.
OK…I I gots the mellow out of me system
Jet – Cold Hard Bitch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGzmLl73TZ8
Late to the party, but how’s about a little “Brick House” by The Commodores?
https://youtu.be/-5EmnQp3V48
Nice
Back to the Mellow 70s for a moment….well this one is technically late 60s but SHUT UP!!!!!
Gary Puckett and the Union Gap – Young Girl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJFVPxBpezk
Lady Willpower
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1CLjF8Q8xo
(you’re all really gonna get pissed off when I pull out the “Best of Bread” album)
Woman, Woman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nNXi66N2oc
Ronnie James Dio – Rainbow in the Dark
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcWKZTI9OC4
Queensrhyche – Spreading The Disease
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VRCtIQPozk
extra “h”…sorry.
Hehehe…WCS has gone off the rails.
Fuck it…I’ll go with him.
Slipknot – Psychosocial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5abamRO41fE
’80s music video!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iyv905Q2omU
“Where ya been Homer? Entire steel industry’s gay.” As the Allentwon video shows.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHnJp0oyOxs
Cheap Trick’s about to be inducted, which is good and just.
Dream Police is awesome, even when sung by Apu.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPemyipJzAM
She’s Tight is the best song they’ve done in evar.
And they’ve done a lot of good shit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADWG6EXrbcE
OK, if we’re going with Mellow 70s for the moment….
Looking Glass – Brandy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-tRXewCAmU
Ah, AM Gold box set…so overpriced…so worth it.
It was the mid 90s, okay?
I see it’s a Billy Joel night here below. I used to work with a guy bout five years ago who was about 23 who freely admitted that he loved him some Billy Joel. The kid was also a goddamn Wikipedia of 90s rap lyrics. http://youtu.be/O6xp54Y39uM
So he must’ve been in heaven when Billy Joel opened for Bone-Thugs-n-Harmony.
Now here’s a deep cut (TWSS?).
Thornton Mellon Likes this +1
To quote Riley Cooper, I’ll fight any…. oh, wait. Hold up. What I meant to say is, I’ll challenge anyone here to explain why this song isn’t awesome, especially live.
http://youtu.be/HFo7nO5h8xs
Why not?
Sorry, couldn’t resist.
Good to see ya Porky.
http://24.media.tumblr.com/0912868ee197db159eba5a3fa48fa259/tumblr_mwq9h1fRuy1sjt33fo1_400.gif
¡Internationale!
Saw Tom Jones about 10 years in concert…still energetic as hell, still getting panties thrown at him the entire fucking show, still in great voice.
As midget Welshmen go, he’s a badass.
It’s been Performance Hype Week™ for me which means this’ll be my Billy Joel pick
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozDSk9XUkrc
Billy Joel – Big Shot
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHzoKwTzEuU
As much a I love The Stranger, it’s a bit bloated at times (looking at you, “Scenes From an Italian Restaurant”) . That said, 52nd Street is one of those albums I could listen to, front to back, back to front, diagonal, over and under, 640248 times through, and never once get bored with.
Agreed. That and Glass Houses would be two I’d have to have with me on the proverbial deserted island.
Chicago – 25 or 6 to 4 live; RIP Terry Kath, destroying that guitar solo. Just a fucking beast.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uAUoz7jimg
Watching the Rock n Roll HOF induction thing on HBO…Sheryl Crow is saluting Glenn Frey with a cover of “New Kid in Town” and if that’s not my favorite Eagles song, it’s close.
I have yet to forgive her for “Sweet Child O’ Mine”
Yeah, you can have Sheryl Crow. Nothing happening there for me.
But now, they’re getting ready for Chicago’s induction, and damn, do I love old Chicago. (BTW, I’m white.)
You take that back!!!!!
Sheryl Crow – If It Makes You Happy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyihQtBes1I
I’ll take her one tolerable song and raise you a Picture.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKFx0MMqb48
Hehe…that’s fair.
Sorry, but meh.
Plus. she collaborated with Kid Rock, so check mate.
Yeah, also fair.
Billy Joel – You May Be Right
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilsv0C1-aBw
The only thing more impressive than the number of terrific Billy Joel songs is the number of awful Billy Joel songs. The man made a shit ton of music
I saw him live back in the late 80s (smiff center on UNC campus….god help me).
Gotta say he put on as good a show as I’ve ever been to for that sized venue. I won’t say it was the best necessarily, but it was in the top 3.
Saw him and Elton John together in ’99; life-changing concert.
Wifey and I have tickets to see Billy on July 1 at PNC Park.
Saw him from row ZZZ at the Honda Center years ago, and yeah, it’s a great show.
The Cult – Fire Woman
(this particular vid version is very worth actually watching, btw)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZKUmLoSSuM
There will never be another vampire Salma Hayek. It just can’t be done.
Eiza Gonzalez ain’t too terrible in the TV role.
Too bad the show sucks overall.
Now let’s go to bed sad!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP_T8GgcOeY
Why change now?
Smithereens – Blood and Roses
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqML7WbOun8
Nice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5Wxn37Tt1Y
Foo Fighters – Monkey Wrench
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKp5v588-Vs
There’s a subtle, underlying message in Cypress Hill’s music. I can’t quite place my finger on it…
Serve your fellow man…..?
http://www.newzbreaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/toserveman.jpg
Weezer – Island in the Sun
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVHUjzZZGQ4
Strange dynamic. I’m writing next weeks Sunday Gravy and I haven’t cooked it yet.
But I wrote tomorrows Sunday Gravy last week.
I…
I???
That explains why I’m hungry again already.
I think.
I could use a bite.
Start breaking bricks, wet nip.
Music!
And now for my favorite segment, “Racists who don’t understand that their facebook posts are set to public prepare for unemployment”
perfection (skip to 1:00 mark). Can’t believe I forgot this in teh Friday thread. Night all.
I almost posted one of theirs on the overnight last night, with a remark about your gonads.
Thankfully I wasn’t so drunk that I couldn’t inhibit this anti-social behavior.
Always thought that if I ever tried heroin (I haven’t…YET), Mazzy Star would be my soundtrack. In no way is that meant as an insult; more like the mellow euphoria I imagine that high to be.
Ice Stillers tie the series, Dirt Stillers won the game and the series against the Dirt Bengals, and the actual Stillers had themselves a solid draft.
http://www.breakingbadgifs.com/gifs/gifs/mike-ehrmantraut/breaking-bad-gif-mike-ehrmantraut-704443.gif
TIME TO DRANK
This always makes me happy, because I’m a depressed bastard (and I likes opiates):
For the life of me (haha…life) I don’t know why you don’t like Green Day moar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbDN8FxMGEg
I just has to be in teh right mood. He has such an abrasive voice.
Hehehehehe…..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RLDZaWN8b4
I haven’t even watched the series, going in with the assumption that Washington is going to collapse under the weight of its own doubt. Is there anyone who didn’t think the curtain was closing on the Caps when the Flyers won 2 in a row when they should have been dead, and then needed their goalie to win them game 6?
WITCH!
Goddammit.
Home ice is fucked, Caps are fucked.
Same shit different year.
http://66.media.tumblr.com/ebd9564234d7f79fbdfaba04e87d3d57/tumblr_o4roba1fpg1tovmb9o3_500.gif
All square, bizznatches.
Congrats on the hard fought win.
(you fucktard)
😉
http://66.media.tumblr.com/ebd9564234d7f79fbdfaba04e87d3d57/tumblr_o4roba1fpg1tovmb9o3_500.gif
Fuck you, tied series.
Oh god, here we go.
White bitch on CNN: “I think he crossed the line mentioning journalists by name, and I didn’t like him using that word at the end.”
Om nom nom nom. Delicious.
The taeks, there a-comin’.
I have no idea what that “word was at the end end but if it wasn’t “bitches” or “fuckwits” I am disappointed. I look forward to reading this tomorrow
Murray? GODDAMNED PRESENT!!!
NEVAR AGAIN, Fleury
Matt Murray is beginning to piss me off. And I’ve only been watching for like five minutes.
And has only been able to legally drink in this country for like 11 months