Lupul scores two to tie game; Kadri score shootout winner
The Maple Leafs continue to improve and after beating the Boston Bruins 4-3 tonight, now find themselves 5 points back of 7th place, with the Buds and the strangers each having 4 games left, while Buffalo and Carolina have five apiece.
Ideally the Leafs would win their 4 games, with Buffalo and New York wining only one each, and Carolina winning no more than 2. That would put the Leafs into 7th place, so there a much wider range of scenarios that would put them into 8th. Odds are slim, yet that doesn't mean it ain't whole lotta fun.
NHL East Division Stanley Cup Playoffs Race
7 BUFFALO NE 77 39 29 9 87
8 NY RANGERS ATL 78 41 32 5 87
9 CAROLINA SE 77 37 30 10 84
10 TORONTO NE 78 36 32 10 82
The NHL West features 7 teams battling for the final 5 playoff spots. You may think Phoenix is home and cooled out, however if Dallas were to win their 3 games in hand, they'd be just 2 points back, with 4 games to go. This one is gonna be crazy during the final week of the NHL's 2010-2011 regular season schedule.
NHL West Division Stanley Cup Playoffs Race
4 PHOENIX PAC 78 42 25 11 95
5 LOS ANGELES PAC 76 44 26 6 94
6 ANAHEIM PAC 77 44 28 5 93
7 NASHVILLE CEN 77 41 26 10 92
8 CHICAGO CEN 76 41 27 8 90
9 DALLAS PAC 75 38 26 11 87
10 CALGARY NW 78 38 29 11 87
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Great new blooger views, Leafs hockey and Harness horse racing
Google is now offering these amazing new views of blog content and I think this is a big step forward in the blog publishing world! Check 'em out:
Toronto Maple Leafs plus Horse Racing blog, flipcard view
Standardbred Racing plus maple Leafs fans, mosaic view
2011-2012 Toronto Maple Leafs, snapshot view
Harness Racing and Maple Leafs news - Timeslide view
Pacers, Trotters and Toronto maple Leafs - Sidebar view
How to use Blogger's Dynamic Views for Readers tutorial
Toronto Maple Leafs plus Horse Racing blog, flipcard view
Standardbred Racing plus maple Leafs fans, mosaic view
2011-2012 Toronto Maple Leafs, snapshot view
Harness Racing and Maple Leafs news - Timeslide view
Pacers, Trotters and Toronto maple Leafs - Sidebar view
How to use Blogger's Dynamic Views for Readers tutorial
$750,000 Pick 6 carryover at Gulfstream TODAY
There is a Rainbow Pick 6 carryover this afternoon at Gulfstream Park in Florida for $749,637, starting with race 4 today, Thursday, March 31, 2011.
As USA tracks also pay out a generous 5 of 6 wager when the big pot is won, Pick 6 carryovers represent one of the best bets available in horse racing.
Have some fun with it; maybe get 3 or 4 guys together and go in on a bigger ticket.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
PEI Power: Leafs should go for Island Trifecta; Richards, Boyce, Phaneuf
Re-signing MacArthur and Boyce is Job One
Regardless of the fact that the Leafs are likely to miss the playoffs, even after tonight's sweet win over the Sabres, the team now has a solid foundation of young players that is competitive with any squad in the NHL. I like our defence as it is, and am confident that Brian Burke will make a bid for a RFA or UFA to bolster the blueliners further.
The goaltending begins with James Reimer however there is way too much uncertainty after him, so it'll probably be best for Gustavsson to get a fresh start again, somewhere else. Let's shoot for the moon and go for Ilya Bryzgalov.
PEI native Richards may want to join Boyce, Phaneuf
Dion Phaneuf's mom and grandparents are from Prince Edward Island and even before Summerside's Darryl Boyce joined the Maple Leafs, the Buds were and have for a long time been big fan favourites on the Island. People remember Rick Vaive, Errol Thompson, the MacMillan brothers Billy and Bobby, Forbes Kennedy and more. I wouldn't be surprised if at least 80% of PEI's hockey fans cheer for the Leafs, so the idea of Brad Richards joing Boyce and Phaneuf for some PEI POWER is certainly feasible.
In addition, Richards will be looking for a young, fast squad that can be competitive now and for years, extending his own career. I also believe he will only be considering teams that can give him the number one center role, and the Toronto Maple Leafs can offer that and more.
Possible 2011-2012 Toronto Maple Leafs lineup
(Players in bold are free agents that need to be signed by Burke)
Goaltending
Bryzgalov, Reimer
Defence
Phaneuf
Schenn
Aulie
Gunnarsson
Komisarek
Lashoff
Gardiner
???
Forwards
Leino Richards Kessel
Kulemin Grabovski MacArthur
Boyce Kadri Armstrong
Lupul Bozak Colborne
13th Forward: Joey Crabb
It's time for BIG NINE up front, BIG SIX on D
This 22 player (23 with the mystery D included, think Phoenix) lineup would require the Leafs GM to land 5 free agents, including 2 of his own. Burke needs to re-sign both MacArthur and Boyce, plus land external free agents Brad Richards, Ilya Bryzgalov and Ville Leino (or perhaps Scottie Upshall). Players such as Mike Brown, Jay Rosehill, and especially Tyler Brenner should be given the opportunity to compete for jobs, however the team needs to get better and think bigger. For example let's start envisioning a BIG NINE of forwards rather than stopping at two lines, as NHL playoff success requires rolling three mega-skilled lines over the boards, with a fourth line of pluggers and role players.
PEI Power may be just the engine to push the Leafs into the playoffs and the fight for Lord Stanley's Cup.
Regardless of the fact that the Leafs are likely to miss the playoffs, even after tonight's sweet win over the Sabres, the team now has a solid foundation of young players that is competitive with any squad in the NHL. I like our defence as it is, and am confident that Brian Burke will make a bid for a RFA or UFA to bolster the blueliners further.
The goaltending begins with James Reimer however there is way too much uncertainty after him, so it'll probably be best for Gustavsson to get a fresh start again, somewhere else. Let's shoot for the moon and go for Ilya Bryzgalov.
PEI native Richards may want to join Boyce, Phaneuf
Dion Phaneuf's mom and grandparents are from Prince Edward Island and even before Summerside's Darryl Boyce joined the Maple Leafs, the Buds were and have for a long time been big fan favourites on the Island. People remember Rick Vaive, Errol Thompson, the MacMillan brothers Billy and Bobby, Forbes Kennedy and more. I wouldn't be surprised if at least 80% of PEI's hockey fans cheer for the Leafs, so the idea of Brad Richards joing Boyce and Phaneuf for some PEI POWER is certainly feasible.
In addition, Richards will be looking for a young, fast squad that can be competitive now and for years, extending his own career. I also believe he will only be considering teams that can give him the number one center role, and the Toronto Maple Leafs can offer that and more.
Possible 2011-2012 Toronto Maple Leafs lineup
(Players in bold are free agents that need to be signed by Burke)
Goaltending
Bryzgalov, Reimer
Defence
Phaneuf
Schenn
Aulie
Gunnarsson
Komisarek
Lashoff
Gardiner
???
Forwards
Leino Richards Kessel
Kulemin Grabovski MacArthur
Boyce Kadri Armstrong
Lupul Bozak Colborne
13th Forward: Joey Crabb
It's time for BIG NINE up front, BIG SIX on D
This 22 player (23 with the mystery D included, think Phoenix) lineup would require the Leafs GM to land 5 free agents, including 2 of his own. Burke needs to re-sign both MacArthur and Boyce, plus land external free agents Brad Richards, Ilya Bryzgalov and Ville Leino (or perhaps Scottie Upshall). Players such as Mike Brown, Jay Rosehill, and especially Tyler Brenner should be given the opportunity to compete for jobs, however the team needs to get better and think bigger. For example let's start envisioning a BIG NINE of forwards rather than stopping at two lines, as NHL playoff success requires rolling three mega-skilled lines over the boards, with a fourth line of pluggers and role players.
PEI Power may be just the engine to push the Leafs into the playoffs and the fight for Lord Stanley's Cup.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
SUN 27MAR Carryovers: Santa Anita 101k, Gulfstream 651k
There are two large carryovers for Sunday, March 27th:
Gulfstream has a carryover for their Rainbow Pick 6 worth $651,672. The Gulfstream Rainbow Pick 6 starts in Race 6.
Santa Anita has a Pick 6 carryover worth $101,743. The Santa Anita Pick 6 starts in Race 4.
Other horse racing carryovers available today include:
Fair Grounds Pick 6 Sunday, Mar 27, 2011 $24,461.32
Tampa Bay Downs Pick 6 Sunday, Mar 27, 2011 $1,973.21
Tampa Bay Downs Super High 5 Sunday, Mar 27, 2011 $7,760.28
Gulfstream has a carryover for their Rainbow Pick 6 worth $651,672. The Gulfstream Rainbow Pick 6 starts in Race 6.
Santa Anita has a Pick 6 carryover worth $101,743. The Santa Anita Pick 6 starts in Race 4.
Other horse racing carryovers available today include:
Fair Grounds Pick 6 Sunday, Mar 27, 2011 $24,461.32
Tampa Bay Downs Pick 6 Sunday, Mar 27, 2011 $1,973.21
Tampa Bay Downs Super High 5 Sunday, Mar 27, 2011 $7,760.28
Saturday, March 26, 2011
3 Top 2011 NHL Free Agents that can help Leafs win the Stanley Cup within two years
Maple Leafs may look at Richards, Leino, Upshall ... and Bryzgalov
Brad Richards - He'll be 31 on May 2nd yet Richards remains at the top of his game, one of the world's premier centres. Burke wants to win now and Richards has two to three more years as a number one centre and a few more after that as 2nd line centre and a role payer, so a four or five year deal for 30 or 35 mil is not out of the question.
Ville Leino - Playoff hero for Philly last Spring when he scored 21 points in 19 playoff games, his 49 points so far this year come with some impressive kickers, such as Plus 14 (47th in league), and 15.5% shooting percentage (56th in league), with his 32 assists putting him 61st in the NHL. The Flyers will likely go 8 or 9 mil for three years if they can afford it, so the Leafs or another bidder may have to go 10 mil for 3 years of 15 mil for 4. This would put him in the range of Kulemin, Grabovski and MacArthur, and just under Kessel, so he could be a good signing.
Scottie Upshall - His 20 goals rank him 75th in the NHL right now, and as a physical 27 year old, fits the Leafs style. Could be crucial to get someone like Scottie if MacArthur decides to bolt, though it seems likely he will stay.
Brian Burke can afford to sign all three, which would make the 2011-2012 training camp the most exciting in a decade.
Goaltending - The Leafs need to sign Giguere or another proven NHL goalie to be a backup / challenger to Reimer, then trade Gustavsson to a team that will give him a fair, fresh chance, possibly getting a goalie who has worn out his welcome in another town in return. With Reimer being a young number one and there being no clear number two, we need to go into camp with at least three proven NHL goaltenders, unless Burke manages to also sign free agent goalie Ilya Bryzgalov.
Bryzgalov and Reimer...
Brad Richards - He'll be 31 on May 2nd yet Richards remains at the top of his game, one of the world's premier centres. Burke wants to win now and Richards has two to three more years as a number one centre and a few more after that as 2nd line centre and a role payer, so a four or five year deal for 30 or 35 mil is not out of the question.
Ville Leino - Playoff hero for Philly last Spring when he scored 21 points in 19 playoff games, his 49 points so far this year come with some impressive kickers, such as Plus 14 (47th in league), and 15.5% shooting percentage (56th in league), with his 32 assists putting him 61st in the NHL. The Flyers will likely go 8 or 9 mil for three years if they can afford it, so the Leafs or another bidder may have to go 10 mil for 3 years of 15 mil for 4. This would put him in the range of Kulemin, Grabovski and MacArthur, and just under Kessel, so he could be a good signing.
Scottie Upshall - His 20 goals rank him 75th in the NHL right now, and as a physical 27 year old, fits the Leafs style. Could be crucial to get someone like Scottie if MacArthur decides to bolt, though it seems likely he will stay.
Brian Burke can afford to sign all three, which would make the 2011-2012 training camp the most exciting in a decade.
Goaltending - The Leafs need to sign Giguere or another proven NHL goalie to be a backup / challenger to Reimer, then trade Gustavsson to a team that will give him a fair, fresh chance, possibly getting a goalie who has worn out his welcome in another town in return. With Reimer being a young number one and there being no clear number two, we need to go into camp with at least three proven NHL goaltenders, unless Burke manages to also sign free agent goalie Ilya Bryzgalov.
Bryzgalov and Reimer...
Leafs fall 7 points out of 8th, 9 back of 6th
Toronto Maple Leafs have solid youth core
If there's any silver lining in tonight's 4-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings, it may be that Toronto can hope for slumps by 3 different teams. The Buds are just nine points back of the 6th place tie (Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers), so if any of Buffalo, Montreal or New York hit the skids, Toronto or Carolina could sneak in.
The beauty of this run is that it has been fueled by young players such as James Reimer, Luke Schenn, Carl Gunnarson, Phil Kessel, and now Nazem Kadri is also up with the big team and contributing. The line of MacArthur, Kulemin and Grabovski has been superb all season and every effort should be made to re-sign Clarke this summer.
Eveb if Toronto were to win all seven of its remaining games, they'd need Buffalo to lose 4 of 7 or Montreal to lose 5 of 7, or New York to lose 4 of 6. Here's how they stand now, 10pm March 26th, 2011:
EASTERN DIV GP W L OT PTS
6 MONTREAL NE 75 40 28 7 87
7 NY RANGERS ATL 76 41 30 5 87
8 BUFFALO NE 75 38 28 9 85
9 CAROLINA SE 75 35 30 10 80
10 TORONTO NE 75 34 31 10 78
Second-youngest team in NHL, Leafs may soon be looking to 2011-2012
With just seven games to go, the Buds are not out of it mathematically, but if they lose to the Sabres next week, it will be over psychologically. Even if the run is over, it's been awesome and we now have a solid young core to build on. Bring in a Brad Richards, another winger or two and a 2nd goalie whose last name is not Gustavsson and you'll be looking at a 100 point season.
The West will shake out further in a few hours, however it remains one of the closest playoff races in NHL history, with 4th place and 10th place separated by just 8 points:
4 PHOENIX PAC 76 41 24 11 93
5 LOS ANGELES PAC 75 43 26 6 92
6 NASHVILLE CEN 75 40 25 10 90
7 CHICAGO CEN 73 40 25 8 88
8 ANAHEIM PAC 74 41 28 5 87
9 DALLAS PAC 73 38 25 10 86
10 CALGARY NW 76 37 28 11 85
If there's any silver lining in tonight's 4-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings, it may be that Toronto can hope for slumps by 3 different teams. The Buds are just nine points back of the 6th place tie (Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers), so if any of Buffalo, Montreal or New York hit the skids, Toronto or Carolina could sneak in.
The beauty of this run is that it has been fueled by young players such as James Reimer, Luke Schenn, Carl Gunnarson, Phil Kessel, and now Nazem Kadri is also up with the big team and contributing. The line of MacArthur, Kulemin and Grabovski has been superb all season and every effort should be made to re-sign Clarke this summer.
Eveb if Toronto were to win all seven of its remaining games, they'd need Buffalo to lose 4 of 7 or Montreal to lose 5 of 7, or New York to lose 4 of 6. Here's how they stand now, 10pm March 26th, 2011:
EASTERN DIV GP W L OT PTS
6 MONTREAL NE 75 40 28 7 87
7 NY RANGERS ATL 76 41 30 5 87
8 BUFFALO NE 75 38 28 9 85
9 CAROLINA SE 75 35 30 10 80
10 TORONTO NE 75 34 31 10 78
Second-youngest team in NHL, Leafs may soon be looking to 2011-2012
With just seven games to go, the Buds are not out of it mathematically, but if they lose to the Sabres next week, it will be over psychologically. Even if the run is over, it's been awesome and we now have a solid young core to build on. Bring in a Brad Richards, another winger or two and a 2nd goalie whose last name is not Gustavsson and you'll be looking at a 100 point season.
The West will shake out further in a few hours, however it remains one of the closest playoff races in NHL history, with 4th place and 10th place separated by just 8 points:
4 PHOENIX PAC 76 41 24 11 93
5 LOS ANGELES PAC 75 43 26 6 92
6 NASHVILLE CEN 75 40 25 10 90
7 CHICAGO CEN 73 40 25 8 88
8 ANAHEIM PAC 74 41 28 5 87
9 DALLAS PAC 73 38 25 10 86
10 CALGARY NW 76 37 28 11 85
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