E---A---G---L---E---S.... EAGLES!

Ok, so there's absolutely nothing new with this team. However, we've been about 3 months without Eagles Football and the run of three negative posts below must end as we prepare for tonight's Flyers - Devils contest! I guess there's the draft in a couple of weeks to get mildly excited about.

I can't wait until September!!!
BDB

Flyers blow it

Flyers shoulda, coulda, but probably not woulda won this game. They blew two, one goal leads in the least entertaining game of the series so far; and I'm not saying that just because the Flyers lost. The game just seemed slower, less crisp, less intense, and all around sloppy. Flyers were fumbling passes and just losing the puck too easily. They had a few decent checks but not the consistent pounding that is needed. The refs also sucked it in this one where they've been pretty good so far. And Flyers, it doesn't matter who's on the ice, when Eliass and Gomez are out there don't let them have any space in the offensive zone. This means you Roenick. Play defense and stop worrying about breaking out on a rush. Flyers must win on Wednesday.

Phillies continue losing tradition in new stadium

The Phillies are the losingest team in the history of sports, so it's only appropriate that their first game in their new stadium was a loss. Abreu accounted for the Phillies lone run - a homer - in a 4-1 loss to the Reds. The Phillies' offense has managed only 16 runs in seven games and is batting .220. I think they've left 348 men on base so far too.

Philies, on pace for 23 wins.

Sixers to start reserving tee times tomorrow

By losing to the Nets today the Sixers will not make the playoffs this year, ending a 5 year run. While their lineup of youngsters and others gave an effort that you rarely saw from Coleman and the Big Dog, they just didn't get it done consistently. And although Iverson is a punk, he probably would have made a difference is some of the games they lost without him and maybe snuck into the 8th seed. Instead they go into the lottery and have a chance at Jameer Nelson. Will they pick him though? Most improved player - Dalembert, most surprising - Willie Green, on last legs - Snow and McKie, need to go - Coleman and Robinson, who knows - Iverson and Ford.

Flyers Establish 2-0 Lead

Winning their fifth straight against the Stevensless Devils, the Flyers jumped out to a 2-0 series lead against NJ. Philly goaltending and hitting was superior to that of NJ and the Flyers actually demonstrated some heart out there. Primeau looks solid, JR somewhat iffy but productive, and the "other" guys are all contributing. That being said, I still don't want to see 3-1 again (if they do split the @NJ games, they better at least win game 5). Time to sweep in four!

BDB

Flyers Take Game 1

In his first playoff game Robert Esche was spectacular make 37 save on 39 shots.

"He showed people he can play goal in the playoffs,'' Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock said. "He's a really competitive guy who wants the ball. We're going to ride it out with him."

It's not a ball coach, it's called a puck, but anyway! The Flyers pulled out to an early 3-0 lead with goals from Gange, Roenick and Primeau. However as soon as Primeau scored the 3rd goal the Devils came back with two quick goals from Elias and Hrdina. At the Devil's end of the ice Brodeur did not look like himself letting in three goals on 26. Game two is on Saturday at 7:30. One down 15 to go! NHL.com.

Desjardins done

From ESPN:

Flyers defenseman Eric Desjardins will miss the NHL playoffs after a metal plate protecting his injured right arm broke while he was playing catch with his son.

Oh well. Pitkanen, who was scratched for the last regular season game, will take his place.

This quote is funny:

"Now it's even. They have [Scott] Stevens out and we have Desjardins out. Both are elite players. We lost our advantage."

Yep, that evens it out.

wwew? NHL pick'em

First, the bracket I made yesterday was retarded. I have since fixed it so make sure you download the revised version so making your picks makes sense. People offered various scoring scenarios but none seemed superior to any other. So, very arbitrarily and not really thinking about it too much, I'll go with the original scheme.

First round: 2 points for each series winner
Second round: 4 points for each series winner
Conference Champion: 8 points for picking winner
Stanley Cup Champion: 16 points for picking the winner

One change, 2 points will be earned if you pick the series winner and the correct number of games in the series.

Post picks in the comments of this post by 7pm tonight.

NHL Playoff Hockey Pick'em thing I made up

I cant find anything online for nhl playoffs similar to Yahoo's NCAA pick'em so we'll just have to do it ourselves. I made a PDF of the bracket which you can download here. Here are the suggestions for scoring:
Series winner first round earns 2 points.
Series winner conference semis earns 4 points.
Series winner conference finals earns 8 points.
Stanley Cup champion winner earns 16 points.
And single bonus points can be earned by picking the correct number of games in each series if you picked the winner too. Post scoring suggestions in the comments or alternative ideas. Tomorrow you can post your picks in the comments of a future post.

Esche to Start Thursday Night in Philly

Robert Esche was given the word he'll be the Flyers starting goaltender for the New Jersey series. Although most people who look at Philadelphia think the goaltending situation is the big story this post season, I'd point my finger at the Flyers powerplay and penalty kill both cooling off as the real reasons to worry. I predict a pretty easy win over the Devils, with the Flyers taking Brodeur and company four games to one. Then again, I thought the Flyers would have swept Detroit in the finals a few years back and look what happened. espn.com story

Phillies lose opener 2-1 to Pirates

Bouncing back from a horrible home stretch last season and the Akins diet this spring, Kevin Millwood looked good Monday. Yes, it was against a pretty lame Pirates team, but it was a number one starter performance worthy of some runs. Unfortunately the Phillies bats, with the exception of Pat Burrell's, were apparently stolen along with Matt Lawton's $100K of jewelry Sunday. Stealing from baseball players, does it get any lower?

Phillies, on pace for 0 wins.

Phillies report by Sean

Tournament results

1 ronscrappypicks 91 123
2 ChillyV's Picks 86
3 Lurker 85
4 BigDaddyB 79
5 ob 67
6 Boo's Brilliance 65

Chilly V impressively picked Georgia Tech to be in the finals but unimpressively had Duke to win it all. I picked UConn to win it all and am the only one that can pick up any more points so the contest is over. I win.

When I find a good Stanley Cup tournament thing I'll set it up so Boo can try and redeem his sorry self.

Sweet!!!

Ok, so it looked like the Flyers were going to tank it as they finished up the season this weekend. And, well, they didn't exactly impress with their finish. However, neither did New Jersey, so the Flyers took the Atlantic. Only problem is that they now have to face off in the FIRST round vs. their long time playoff foe New Jersey. Is that a good thing for the Flyers or not? BDB is more positive about this year's matchup than ever before, since the Flyers seem to have shaken the Devil off their back this season. However, if Scott Stevens returns that could change things... so too the playoff mentality (even with Hitch, this psycho stuff is a concern this time of year). At any rate, BDB is most happy that we'll get a big test in the first round (kinda like the let's get it over with or get on with it thinking).

Another 1 (or 2) and done?

It's pretty much consensus that you need 3 things to do well in the playoffs.

1. hot goaltending
2. hot powerplay
3. smothering defense

The Flyers currently have none of these, especially the hot goaltending and the hot powerplay. They're going into the tank just in time for the playoffs. The previously #1 rated powerplay is making millionaires of those lucky enough to be the one picked in the McMurder Powerplay Payoff the rare time they do score. Esche, who has been solid to pretty damn good all year, is now letting in the weakest of the weak. The first goal in last nights game being the worst so far. And the defense, now relatively healthy, is looking turnstile like. I'm putting my faith in Ken Hitchcock I guess but with the cliche quotes like these I'm getting nervous:

"We had a lot of chances to score, a lot of opportunities. We did everything but score."
"We are doing a lot of things well."

Flyers handed out awards last night.
Esche - Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Trophy as the most improved player
Recchi - MVP, Bobby Clarke Trophy
Kapanen - Yanick Dupre Class Guy Memorial Award
Johnsson - Barry Ashbee Award, best overall defenseman

Burkey Shuts Out The Habs

Sean Burke made 24 saves for his second shutout of the season and 35th of his career. Maybe Melrose was right in crowning Burkey as the playoff goaltender for the Orange and Black. He certainly has made the decision tougher for Hitch. We'll see what Eschey comes up with against the Sens. Hackett sucks.