The Laffs. What a joke. I know more than a few people from Toronto who make a strong point of boycotting the Maple Leafs. They are a disgrace to Canadian hockey. They have the highest ticket prices in the league and have the lowest historical performance in the past 4 decades. They are the only original six team that has not made a comeback. The Bruins and the Blackhawks have recently won Stanley cups. The Rangers in the 90’s with Mark Messier. Even the Red Wings who went through a 40 year Stanley cup drought has won 4 Stanley cups out of 6 appearances in the past 15 years. The Canadiens won two Stanley cups in the 90’s. Only the Leafs remain. The ownership has no desire for the greatness of Canadian Hockey tradition. Ever since Harold Ballard took it over in the late 60’s it was all mediocrity until now, some 45 years. Before that the Leafs were a perennial champion as good as any who have ever played the game. I don’t blame guys from Toronto who refuse to support such a pathetic enterprise. A joke and an embarrassment to Canada. And yet the Arena is packed almost every night. What an experience to pay more than any other hockey fan in north America to participate with a franchise run by a bunch of losers, who’s intent is never to succeed, just to rake in the dough at the lowest possible cost. Too bad they couldn’t get a Scotty Bowman the way the Wings did in 1993. They lose in overtime in game 7 after a three goal lead in the third. Will the fans rebel? Nah. That's Toronto.

So now onto the next round. The California series interests me greatly, the Kings and the Sharks. A regional rivalry between Northern and Southern California though nothing like the regional rivalry between New York and Boston in football, hockey and especially baseball. I like both teams although I’d side with the Kings, push comes to shove. I follow the Sharks much closely than the Warriors. I love the Bay Area and the 49ers but I'm still an LA homey at heart.

Sens and Pens should be good. The Senators are feeling mighty confident right about now and the Penguins are loaded with talent. Iggy in the Igloo. My daughter is attending game one and will be sending photos. There was an Ottawa Senators team that won the Stanley Cup in 1923 and 1927. The great Canadian hockey tradition still lives on in spite of those twits in Toronto.

Blackhawks and Red Wings I think should be interesting as well but theoretically should not last long. I’m thinking a Kings and Hawks conference final and maybe even Kings and Penguins in the Finals?

Bruins and Rangers. Two more Original Six teams.

Too bad for Asa’s Blues and must be sad. I, too, have to wonder at their commitment to winning.

Tonight should be a GREAT night. Sens and Pens early and Kings and Sharks later on.

Now it starts to get good. Dave and Kevin! Come over to the dark side. Watch a hockey game!