-Riders need to score a touchdown...if they don't in the first little bit it will be the longest drought in their history.
-Darian Durant is starting and Henry Burris is not...Drew Tate gets the ball for Calgary, never thought I would see that this year as Burris gets the bench, feel bad for him...Durant on the other hand, while he is one of my favourite qbs, I am not sure why he is playing especially since Riders are out and he has a problem with his foot...coach Ken Miller said they want to win regardless and that is why the move is made. If the Riders beat Calgary tonight, it will be their first W against a west opponent this year, ouch never thought I would see that...I will say Calgary takes it by 12 tonight.
-Hoping to do some golf this weekend--have never done a round so close to my birthday! The course in town is closed so good ol Nokomis or Young will do! Hoping for good weather :)
-Lots going on athletically in town...girls vball today, football next weekend and more volleyball as well.
-Flames need to start rebuilding, I don't think they will get to where they need to be...
-And from a portion of my column - The Point After - that will be in this Monday's paper, I give you my predictions for the NHL season...have a great weekend. Blessings.
This year, I think people could see quite a few teams make a surprise run. I have a feeling Montreal could be one of those teams along with Colorado and Los Angeles.
Starting in the eastern conference, Washington and Pittsburgh will again have great years but I also think Buffalo makes a charge for tops in the conference. Boston will again reach the postseason with Carolina, Montreal, Tampa Bay and Philadelphia.
Now Leaf fans will be up in arms with me because of their hot start but I don’t think it will last. Toronto will finish either ninth or 10th. Ottawa and Winnipeg will be battling it out in the basement.
If Sidney Crosby returns, Pittsburgh finishes first at the end of the year followed by Buffalo and Washington. Montreal takes the fourth seed and will see Philadelphia in the first round. Boston will sit sixth overall as they battle that notorious Stanley Cup hangover while Tampa Bay is slotted in the seventh spot followed by Carolina.
In the playoffs, Pittsburgh beats Carolina, Tampa Bay takes out Buffalo, Washington edges Boston and Montreal takes out Philly.
Pittsburgh would then beat Tampa while Carey Price and the Canadiens defeat Washington. Advancing to the Stanley Cup finals would be the Penguins in six games, thanks to strong goaltending by Marc-Andre Fleury.
In the west, Vancouver and Detroit will try to battle it out for tops. Chicago and Nashville will not be far behind. After a disappointing season, the Avalanche are back in the playoffs along with Anaheim, Los Angeles and San Jose.
Vancouver will defeat the Sharks in the opening round while Detroit takes out Colorado. Chicago will be in tough against Anaheim but will prevail and Los Angeles will beat Nashville.
Los Angeles will carry its momentum forward by eliminating Vancouver while Detroit will handle Chicago. The Red Wings, like they have done so many times before, will beat the Kings and once again it will be the Penguins versus the Red Wings. This year I am going with Pittsburgh to take the Cup, Crosby’s second silver mug.
As for the other Canadian teams, despite a guarantee to make playoffs by Flames’ general manager Jay Feaster, the team finishes 10th while the Oilers sit 13th.
