Litmus Test for Canucks

Canucks start a 3 game road trip out east with the Devils coming up first. Big day in the Association, as well as a tearful ceremony in NYC. Let's roll...

Canucks begin East Coast Swing

Up first are the New Jersey Devils tomorrow night. The Devils have been solid recently winning 4 of their last 5 including 2 shutouts. The Devils are still an old-school team in that they win the old-fashioned way pre-lockout style. They don't have any big time scoring threats, their leading scorers are Brian Gionta and Scott Gomez. Instead the Devils have been and continue to rely on the steady and consistently outstanding play of Goalie Martin Brodeur. Of course, one of the hottest rumours out there right now has Canucks GM Dave Nonis in negotiations to acquire Brodeur. The Canucks have plenty of rest heading into this game. Expect Alex Auld to get yet another start in goal, Ed Jovanovski has to be healthy already for this one. The outcome of this game really comes down to how well the Canucks can get bodies in front of the net and make life difficult for Brodeur. I like the Canucks here in a real low scoring one, 2-1.
*Photo from Yahoo!Sports

Kobe vs Lebron + Spurs/Pistons Rematch

As the football season winds down, our focus will inevitably shift to the that orange roundball. 2 great matchups today, 1 featuring 2 of the most exciting players in the game, and the other a Finals rematch and as many predict a Finals preview.

Lebron may have outdueled Kobe 28 points to Kobe's 27, but it was Kobe and the Lakers who had the last laugh winning 99-98 and scoring the game winner. The Lakers were horrible last year, this year Phil Jackson has the Lakers playing with passion, pride, and purpose. And it has made a huge difference. As for Lebron, with only a couple of years left on his rookie contract, there is much speculation that he will NOT be back at Cleveland. If you're thinking how in the hell can Cleveland let the next MJ walk out of town?? Remember that we're talking about Cleveland here, they suck at everything and never win anything. Lebron is too good for you Cleveland. Siyonara!!

In the second marquee matchup, the Pistons brought their NBA best 27-5 record into San Antone to face the Mighty Spurs and defending NBA Champions. Once again, the Pistons brought the house and trounced the Spurs 83-68 as they did on Christmas Day just 3 weeks ago. If you talk about Parity in the NFL or MLB, there is no parity in the NBA. I guarantee that these 2 teams will be in the Finals in June. Why even bother to play the regular season and playoffs?? Why not just have the Championship right now, Spurs vs Pistons. Nobody even comes close to these 2.
*Photos from Yahoo!Sports

Goodbye For Now...

This Canuck was so good, he deserves 2 headlines back to back. The NYC faithful packed Madison Square Garden tonight to watch the retiring of the #11 of their hero, Mark Messier. There is no question in my mind that Messier will be involved with the Rangers on some level within the next 3 years. I predict that Messier will be the Head Coach of the New York Rangers in no less than 10 years. The guy is the epitome of Leadership and I can't think of any better role than for Messier to lead the blind back to the cream of the crop in the NHL. And with the bankroll that seems bottomless in the land of gold that is New York, Messier has both the financial support and fan support to become GREAT once again. See you soon Mess.
*Photo from Yahoo!Sports

What's on TV
NHL, Vancouver vs New Jersey, 4:30pm PST on Sportsnet Pacific
NBA, Washington vs Indiana, 4:00pm PST on the Score
NBA, Miami vs Seattle, 7:30pm PST on Sportsnet Ontario

Picks of the Day
New York Knicks -7 over Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Thrashers -1.5 (-130) over St. Louis Blues
Record YTD (15-19, -678)