Virtual Insanity

I know what that save is without clicking on it Anyway, Canucks pre-season juggernaut rolls on, 5-4 SO win over Flames, equaliser with 0.02 seconds remaining from Daniel Sedin, followed by a shootout winner.

Well the Maple Leafs got Kessel, given up their first pick for the next 2 years and next years 2nd pick too, Burke's fairly putting all his eggs in one basket on this one. Canucks are 4 for 4 in pre season, lots of players pushing for a spot which is exciting.

They're pursuing Phil Kessel, if they get him I'd say they'll do slightly better than last season, 8-10 in the Conference. If not, same or slightly worse, 11-13.

I almost forgot, in a linking note, Shirokov was picked up as a draft pick given to the Canucks by the Panthers in the trade that brought Luongo to Vancouver, already considered one of the most lopsided in Canucks history, if Shirokov can kick on from here it would be an extra sweetner.

Canucks win their first pre-season game 2-1 over the Islanders. Nothing spectacular but Sergei Shirokov (who scored both) could be one to watch this coming season. A former Russia U18s linemate of Ovechkin and Malkin, he's taken a bit longer to come through and was a late round draft pick by the Canucks, with the possibility of him and or Hodgson making the team this year the Canucks look to have some depth in offense and defence (although still not the star quality in either to be a serious contender). Oh and Roberto Luongo has signed a 12 year extension, similar loophole deal to the ones being handed out by the Red Wings left right and centre.

Del Potro also hits the ball a lot flatter than the other players at that level, so keeping the ball low against him is vital. Fortunately Murray has one of the best sliced backhands in the game.

Pretty nasty draw for Murray, Nadal and Del Potro is the worst combination he could have got. He should be comfortable against the likes of Gulbis and certainly Karlovic, but even then it's a bit more hassle than he would have liked at those stages. I'm not sure about Nadal actually, if Djokovic is back to form a bit as suggested in Cincinnati, Murray might be happier against Nadal, who is nowhere near his peak fitness levels.

Agree with SD, as long as Del Potro improves his consistency (and given his age I think that's very likely) then he'll be pressing the top 4 hard very soon. He's a lot further on than Murray was at that age (although probably comparable rankings wise to Djokovic), and for me has more guile than Djokovic, which could be the difference in pushing him into the top 4.

That's only the second set that he has lost to love in a major since his Wimbledon breakthrough tournament. Murray's ability lies in his all round consistent game and shotmaking. However, it does mean that whenever he comes up against someone who is performing at their absolute peak (Gonzalez today) he lacks something in being able to impose himself upon his opponent.

This is open to SD's correction but I believe that there is a let the first time they fall off, next time you are docked a point and every subsequent time thereafter, but I'm far from 100% on that.

Yummy.

Let The Right One In. Definitely the best Swedish language vampire film I've ever seen. 9/10

Canucks are out

I know nothing about Maple Leafs history, but I figured that would get a rise out of you, sorry.

Oh, having predicted the Pens I'd just like to say: GO CAPS!

DETROIT v Anaheim VANCOUVER v Chicago Capitals v PENGUINS BRUINS v Canes I don't know why I did it like that. Anyway, I got 4/4 in the West, lack of knowledge of the East perhaps cost me, 1/4 was pretty unfortunate though given how close my call on Rangers to upset Caps was. I also have an advantage in that I know the Canucks won Game 1 but I would have called them anyway since I have to. Dean aren't you a Maple Leaf? Where's the Canadian spirit backing the Canucks and Mats? You're right though, apart from Luongo all we have is two 80+ points guys, the greatest player in Maple Leafs history and a Selke nominee on offense. Defensively we are lacking a star man, but certainly have strength in depth.

Thank you Ducks Bring on the 'Hawks, sorry Mr B.

Go Ducks!

Win in 4. Easy. Alex Burrows is a God. From undrafted to 28 goal seasons to lighting up the playoffs, and he only took $2million for the next four years. Also, the NHL is running a poll for best goaltender of the playoffs so far, without Roberto Luongo. If I had any of those epic fail pictures, I would post one here.

I could do you Virtua Tennis 3 or NHL 08 for that. Both good games if you like sports .

Here is the first attempt at a rumour in this respect, give up Schenn and Kaberle as well as their first to Tampa for Hedman, then trade up from there. Personally I think the names you'd need to add to Hedman to make the Isles give up Tavares would be a huge price to pay, as much as anything Tavares (being both an offensive player and Canadian) brings a lot more off the ice. Having given up Schenn and Kaberle and a first to Tampa Bay already (this might be overpaying for Hedman but I know less about him) I can't see what the Leafs could offer the Isles without completely decimating their team, they would be relying on Tavares alone attracting a lot of UFAs in the summer (I shudder to think of the Sedin's lining up in Toronto, but you can have Mats back if you like ). I've been watching all the Canucks games on ESPN360 fine, not sure why that would be the case for you. My only minor gripe is that they seem to have stopped offering archived games but I don't have time for that at the moment anyway so it's not particularly a problem. Anyway, onwards and upwards for the Canucks, and we can only hope that the Ducks continue to do us a massive favour against San Jose, having a passage to the Conference finals free of both the Sharks and the Red Wings is the stuff dreams are made of.

He was already Nadal's biggest worry on hard courts before today only grass left now. He will finish this year as world number 2.

That second set tie break was phenomenal, Murray is an unbelievable learner and the way he adapted during the game was very impressive indeed, reckon he'll be the man Nadal fears most on clay after that, although Nadal is still so far ahead of him it's scary.

I like Cammalleri but is out of line, one game suspension seems fair.

Also, 7 of my 8 predicted teams won game 1, not a bad start.