Posted by Teddy Panos, Sun Staff
Clearing out space in the mind’s oven to transition from the Easter Ham to the Easter Lamb:
Speaking of cooking, and I hate to say this, it might be time to stick a fork in David Ortiz as a fearsome hitter…he looks done.
I realize we’re only one week into the 2009 season, but whether it’s the knee, the wrist or the body type, Big Papi hasn’t packed a big wallop at the plate in a long time. Having him clog up the third spot in the batting order is really handicapping the Red Sox offense right now.
The 3-hole is where a team’s best all-around hitter should be, and that’s clearly Kevin Youkilis at this point. And while we’re tinkering, it might be time to move Jason Bay to a spot in the order where he can do some real damage.
Just the Bruins luck, but in Montreal, the Black and Gold drew the worst possible first-round playoff opponent.
The opening round of hockey’s playoffs is normally nothing more than a tune-up for the top seed in the conference. Instead the B’s face an icy Jihad, a nightly holy war against a foe that hates them and worse, doesn’t fear them.
Do I like Boston’s chances of advancing past Les Habitants? Sure, though I can also envision a scenario where the Canadiens pull off the upset. And even if the Bruins advance, the emotional and physical toll the series takes could very well come back to haunt them as the postseason progresses.
Wasn’t it just a couple of years ago that national scribes were commenting about Hockey East and the conference’s inability to hang with the big boys from the Midwest? A Boston College and Boston University national championship later and such talk has been silenced.
We’re very fortunate here in Lowell. The quality of college hockey we see at Tsongas Arena night in-night out is as good as any in the country. Expect that point to be driven home next year when the young and improving UMass-Lowell River Hawks fly right into the playoff excitement.
Why didn’t Kevin Garnett just have knee surgery when he was originally hurt? Wouldn’t the Celtics be better off getting their superstar’s knee fixed when he first hurt it, nearly two months ago?
Unless of course, the “minor” knee injury that didn’t require surgery is really a major problem the Green have been trying to disguise all along.
Tell me you weekend hackers out weren’t somewhat heartened watching the Masters final few holes and playoff.
There weren’t any poster boys for health clubs fighting it out for that extra large green jacket. Those guys looked gassed! Looked more like a couple of buddies and me marching up the 18th hole at Hickory Hill, dying to get to the “refreshment” stand.
And who’s the wise guy who cut and pasted Angel Cabrera’s head on my body?
That's the view from here...how do you see things?
The problem for the B's was whichever team finished in the 8th slot would be a grueling, tough match-up. Had it been the Rangers it would have been dealing with Avery's antics and Lundqvist's goaltending. With the Habs at least they can take solace in how well they've played them (especially lately) and just how badly Carey Price has looked later in the year. He lost his job to Halak for a LONG time and just doesn't seem too confident. If I'm the B's I throw everything (including the kitchen sink) at Price - send Chara/Lucic to the front of the net on every power play and really get in his grill. Then maybe he loses focus and continues to let in some softies. Also, please hide Manny Fernandez's goalie equipment so he cannot enter a game no matter how badly Thomas may be playing...
Someone was explaining yesterday that they think Ortiz will be okay because he's in his "about to pounce" crouch and not standing as upright as he did last year when hurt. I dunno. Hopefully he's just having a slow start and will warm up with the weather. I agree that maybe dropping him down in the order and putting Youk #3 and Bay maybe #4 or #5 is not a bad idea. Still very early in the year - don't push the panic button quite yet - just look at how LOUSY the Yankees look right now...
The end of that BU/Miami game was just sick. To come back from 3-1 down that late in the game and then take it in OT shows that BU really was the best team this year as much as it pains me to say. They really do deserve the championship. Really great that UML played them so tough in the playoff game - maybe next year really could be a special one at the Tsongas.
Celts are in some big trouble. Even with Garnett back the Cavs sure look strong and the Magic are no pushovers either. Doesn't look like #18 is in the cards this year but I hope if the C's do go out they go down playing with Garnett et al playing good basketball and just get beat by a better team playing in front of their home fans - enough to provide motivation to get the championship form back for next season.
No real disagreements here, DB. What's worse is the second round will bring Philly/Pitt here....imagine your Stanley Cup run going through Montreal, Sydney Crosby and Malkin (or the insanely physical Flyers) and the Caps/Ovechkin. Run that gauntlet, and the Red Wings or Sharks likely await.
Could the Bruins have picked a worse year to be good again....LOL!
I didn't realize how much of a role Pitt has been on since Bylsma (sounds like an intestinal disorder, BTW) took over as coach. Last year Biron was on fire in the playoffs so maybe that's a 7-gamer. Also Wash will probably get NJ in the 2nd round. NJ is always tough w/ Brodeur and they have more "O" this year. Canes have been hot and Ward was a Conn Smythe winner so maybe the B's would get them in rd 2.... One can hope each team they get will be coming off of a tough series of their own anyway.
Also, whomever comes out of the west will be playing in some wars - although I like Detroit's path to the conf finals - Blue Jackets will go out in 5 at most - that kid Mason is terrific but I think he's overworked. 2nd round is probably Vancouver and Luongo has been too inconsistent this year. I'll bet it does come down to Det/SJ and that thing probably goes 6 or 7 so there is hope!
At any rate this is the most excited I've been for the NHL playoffs in a LONG time.