I was wondering how my preseason predictions stacked up against the end results, so I figured I would give myself a grade. Here is the way I will score myself. I will take the difference between my predicted points, and the actual points, and subtract that from 100. For example, if I predicted team X finishes with 80 points, and they actually finished with 85 (or 75) points, that would be a -5 difference. 100-5=95. I will also give myself a bonus of 10 points for every team whose seeding I accurately predicted. Then I will take the average score and that will be my grade. So here goes.

So there you have the scores on an individual basis. Next I want to add up the highest possible score without bonus points. which would be 1500. My total score was 1381. 1381/1500=92.1%.

Therefore on my own arbitrary scoring system (hey, its my blog, I get to make these decisions ) I was about 92.1% accurate in predicting how the teams would finish. Why don’t you guys dig the old prediction threads that you posted on over on the message boards and do the same math for yourself. The picks I am most proud of was the Washington, Flyers, and Carolina picks. Not just because of their accuracy, but because how “against the grain” they were compared to what most people thought. The Islanders, Lightning, and Montreal picks were all embarrassing, though the Islanders slightly less than the other 2.

Its always good to look back and see how you did, especially with playoff predictions coming in a day or 2 (maybe not tomorrow, I do have a lot of things to do).

Rangers Review | Comments Off

7-0-1. 15 of 16. Basically, a one sided season series, even though it could have easily been the other way. With all that said, these guys just don’t scare me. Their offensive flow is terrible, their defenseman can be beat, and Uncle Daddy is still one of the most overrated (note, overrated does not mean the same thing as bad. Hes a great goalie for sure, just not God like some people make him out to be) goalies of all time.

These guys don’t scare me one bit.

Even with some laughable reffing in this one (I didn’t know you could pass the puck to guys on your bench! Nor did I know that merely being in Uncle Daddys territorial bubble means you get 2 minutes) the Rangers could have easily won this, had they not come out flat in the first. I don’t see us coming out flat in the playoffs. The last 2 periods were mostly all Rangers. The bulk of this season series was controlled by the Rangers. Yes, that is Devils hockey, to play in their own zone, then counter off of your mistakes. But with a Jagr that is flying high, and a goalie that made some saves that made me fall off my chair and bow in supplication, I think we will be a-ok.

Series preview coming tomorrow.

Rangers Review | Comments Off

You know Tom Renney must have read the team the riot act between the first and the second. It showed with a goal in the first 20 seconds of the period, and a continued elevated game throughout the period. If they werent so sloppy in the first, were up 1-0 right now. Need to get 2 goals in the 3rd, it’s going to be tough, but doable. Uncle Daddy hasnt been anything special.

Rangers Review | Comments Off

Want to know what you saw out there in the first? You saw one team playing playoff hockey, and you saw another team thinking they are playing against an AHL caliber Islanders team. The Devils were faster, stronger, more tenacious, fearless, and constantly attacking the front of our net. The Rangers were the exact opposite. Our goaltending was off and on (2 questionable goals allowed by Henrik, but another half dozen amazing saves), our forwards did NOTHING (2 frigging shots?!), and our defense looked scared to take a hit to move the puck.

This is what the team calls a playoff game? If that is the case, expect a 4 and out. Rangers need to show a boatload more heart and intensity if they are going to come back and win this one. The Devils know what time of the year it is, I sure as hell hope the Rangers wake up and realize it too.

Rangers Review | Comments Off