Welcome to our annual playoff predictions, where Chuck selects teams based on actual hockey things and Pants make wishes on shiny pennies. (note from Pants: Amazingly, we have about the same track record. Maybe I learn things through texting with her.)

Eastern Conference

Canadiens vs. Senators

Chuck: Senators. I know their late season surge is partially responsible for the Bruins not making the playoffs, but come on, people.  There is no way in seven hells that I’m rooting for the Canadiens to win.  Plus the Sens have momentum on their side – they won their last three games vs the Habs and they are riding the hot glove of the Hamburgler.

Pants: WHO CARES? No, really. I think the Habs will win because Carey Price. And I hope they will win because they are predictable when faced by a next-round opponent who could by one of my teams. The Sens have lived up to their “pesky” reputation time and again, and I don’t have the stomach for their upswings now.

Lightning vs. Red Wings

Chuck: Lightning. A deep forward corps and young guns like Palat & Kucherov give the Bolts eletricity in the scoring department.  Foxy Friday Brian Boyle is holding down the 4th line, scored 15 goals, and has even played shifts of defense. We love guys that can multitask. But the thought of losing the Zetterbeard so early in the playoffs….

Not okay.

Pants: Uh, Lighting. Apologies to @lm1485‘s grandmother and the stuffed duck on her porch who wears a Red Wings jersey, but the Wings are on the downward slope away from the top of the League.  We know what it’s like to look around and suddenly, everyone else is 25.

Rangers vs. Penguins

Chuck: Rangers.  NYR went b***s to the wall at the trade deadline and made some very strategic moves to complete their roster.  Rick Nash has been his best against the Pens this season with 7 points over 4 games (3 of which the Rangers won).  Add in the the 1-2 goaltending punch of Lundqvist and Talbot, and the Rangers are a force that should put other East teams on notice.

Pants: PENGUINS. If I learned anything from Grease, it was: what skipping a period meant it was: if I can’t be an athlete, be an athletic supporter. Short of lacing up some skates and toe picking my way out there to hold a &$%#ing lead myself (I considered this), the only solution is to focus my energy into a laser beam of love and intention – hopefully one that can move the puck away from the Pens’ net. Maybe instead of watching Grease, I should have kept watching Star Wars. Also, if I haven’t mentioned it in five minutes, I hate the Rangers.

Capitals vs. Islanders

Chuck:  Push.  These teams have not met in the playoffs since 1993 so you know that this is going to be some hype. Islanders are moving out of Nassau Coliseum at the end of this season so that might make give this series and playoffs some extra gravitas, but I think that these teams are pretty evenly matched. High-powered captains? Check. Goaltending? Check. Puck possession teams? Check.  This one is gonna be gooood. #BuckleUp

Pants: Capitals yaaaaaaaaas. But why does this have to be? Why can’t I just want John Tavares and his pleated khaki, double-strapped backpack, tucked-in shirt and first day of school haircut to win in the playoffs? Still, I don’t. As I wrote about in my guide to liking more than one team, you need to prioritize and stick to your guns. Even when the other gun looks like this:

Screencap of My Life by @ambitiouspants

Capitals, don’t make me regret this.

Who are your 1st round picks? Comment below!

If you know anything about me, but know that I love beards and I love tattoos.   Each one on their own is fantastic, but together?

Best Kind of Sandwich

Now go in and add hockey to the mix….

O.M.G.

Perfection.  And thy name is Tyler Seguin.

#Beard

#Tats

As if that wasn’t enough, Seguin is tearing it up right now, leading the NHL in goals with 14 and third in overall points with 24.  At the rate he is going, he might just win the scoring title for the Stars.

But guess who is hot on his heels?

#Lumbersexual

Beard? Check.  Tats? Not sure.

But I gladly volunteer to find out.

Are you also into beards and tats? Check out @beardsandtats. It’s a personal fave.

Every April, we wonder how we got here – if we got here – and panic. Prayers are said.  Shirts and jerseys are lined up to wear.  Post-traumatic stress resurfaces from last season.   And with all that comes something else, something glorious.

No, not the possibility of winning the Cup.  We’re talking about playoff beards!

2013 Beard of the Year Winner

Here’s a look around this year’s post-season hopefuls, starting with, well…

The Pens TV feature was offline yesterday because the Penguins’ servers are no match for James Neal’s Gingerbeard.

Already GLORIOUS.  Let me tell you James, since you obviously read this blog for tips on fixing your PR problems, the beard is A+.  Glasses too.  Plaid suits, yaaassss. Now keep your promises, don’t be a dirtbag and I may just remove your #futureexboyfriend status.

MAF however, has permission to remove this creation and begin again.

He looks like Kenneth Branaugh in Hamlet which is really just a gateway beard to Kenneth Branaugh in Wild Wild West.  And no one wants to be in Wild Wild West.

See also: Ryan Miller, Ringmaster

You know I love this disaster.  Crosby growing facial hair is like me singing karaoke – zero God-given talent, still goes on stage.  We both compensate with dance moves.

Thanks to modern medicine and some really tight workout shirts, we’re thrilled this gem of a beard will be appearing in our 2014 collection:

Flawless as he always is, Stammer’s beard fascinates because it’s so brown.  Mid-season he hardly appears to have eyebrows, such is his blondness, yet roll around the post-season and Simba starts working on his roar.

Since I mentioned Nealer, here’s Shawn Thornton for good measure.  This art installation began around April 4 and holds promise to become an impressive hedge maze.  Let’s everybody grow beards and nobody get suspended, yeah?

In news you knew was coming, Toews and Kane have been announced as ready to go for Chicago in Game 1 against St. Louis.

That’s right, Wolverine and his trusty sidekick, The Meerkat, ride again.

We’re pretty excited for the Avs to have a go in the playoffs, because we want to see if Gabe can grow a beard.  And we want Matt Duchene back… but mostly Gabe’s beard.  The Avs’ ad campaign asks #WhyNotUs?

Gabe Landeskog, Age 10

Probably #BecauseofthatMohawk, honestly.  But this is a new, sophisticated year.  They’re even hosting “Burgundy and Blue Week” and as much as we love hockey, that’ll be disappointing if it doesn’t involve wine and cheese.

And remember, Max Talbot is on the Avs!   Think he’ll give us one of these, like the good old days?  Probably scare the crap out of his new baby son, but teaching can never start too early.

He can compare it to that of fellow former Penguin Mike Rupp.  I miss this elf costume.

Another excting playoff debut is Jamie Benn.  We know Tyler can phase to Teen Wolf at a moment’s notice (hey, isn’t it Tuesday?), but Jamie’s babyface has never been to the post-season.  We’ve seen an AHL goatee and Movember Mustache, so there’s a beard waiting to happen.  Still we fear the jowl-centric permashadow:

Will again become this:

EGADS.  When we say “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” Jamie, we do not mean that part of your face!  You’ve been on a roll lately (sidenoteBattingPracticesigh) – either go all the way or just keep shaving while gazing intently into the camera.

Does Dallas have a bandwagon? Because Imma need a ride.

TJ Oshie joined the Blues Beardathon campaign, so we’ll call his beard The American Dream.  The part of arch-nemesis will be played by Roman Polak.

Even if he could get 6 rounds like the Olympic shootout, TJs only chance at fuzz would still be to adopt a puppy at the end.

Joe Thornton has done the right thing – he’ll be starting fresh when the Sharks see the Kings on Thursday night.  This really gives new meaning to the term faceoff.  Let’s hope he and Brent Burns have planned A Race to Crazy.

April 9                                                                     April 12

The Kings are always regally bearded, but until Mike Richards can’t see past his nose to where Pierre Maguire is trying to groom him on a boardwalk, I find them boring.  Remember when Joaquin Phoenix went crazy, grew a beard and became a rapper (then it was all fake)?  That’s the kind of excitement I expect from LA beards.

Speaking of burly later-round possibilities, Henrik Zetterbeard is doing his best to get back into the Wings lineup.  He will practice today, and while he likely won’t be available for the first round, if the Wings get past Boston at least Chuck will have something to live for.

The Habs have Brandon Prust.  If no one else grows a beard (or if they do), we won’t even notice.

The last and final playoff match up is both my dream and nightmare: Rangers vs. Flyers.  Such drama.  I fantasize about them somehow both losing.  I invent elaborate food poisoning schemes.  I transport them off-world, I drop them into the bottom of the ocean in the end, I retract the ice and everyone falls into a pool of sharks with frickin’ laser beams attached to their heads.

Is that wrong?

Alas, I must endure.  I caught a hot second of Giroux flipping his hair while being awarded the Toyota Cup for most “Star of the Game” points the other night. Happy Gingers = Slight Weakness.  This beard though.

Even as an unhappy ginger, Scott Hartnell looked – dare I say it? – kind of nice while discussing his major penalty for spearing (subsequent $5k fine came later).

Okay, enough of that.  :: shudder ::

As for the Rangers, Rick Nash looks nice with a beard.  It can dry his tears.

(That wasn’t quite the last playoff matchup, but to the Blue Jackets, I say nothing except see you tomorrow.)

I can’t believe it’s this time of year again.  Are you guys doing okay?  My emotions are 50% excitement and 50% dread soaked in 100% Skittles-flavored vodka.  We’re thankful for beards help to lighten the mood because it’s about to go down.

Rick Nash was all…

And I was all…

Then Rick Nash scored his 301st career goal.

He was all…

And I was all…

Flyers did managed to score two goals – including one that one off of Jake Voracek’s face – but alas it was not enough.

As expected, Nashty got the Broadway Hat.  Just me or is that hat looking a little worse for wear?

Also, I LOVE the way he always just glances back at the camera as if to say “Hey Chuck.  I see you there.” His eyes stare into my soul.

In other game notes…

• John Tortorella is a winner.  Not only did he get his 400th NHL win but he also re-energized the Rangers’ offence with a little Cupid Shuffle.  Torts moved Derek Stepan in center with Nash and Ryan Gosling Carl Hagelin on the wings.  The result? Four of the five Rangers goals.
• Nash might have got the milestone goal but Stepan was by far the Rangers’ best player on the ice.  He was everywhere and all up in the game like Pooh up in the honey pot.
• Inigo better get it together.  And soon.  Judging from the in-game interview that Tortorella gave during the 2nd period, I get the distinct feeling that the Fonz is not particularly pleased with the way that Brian Boyle has been playing.  Then they cut to Boyle looking all sad panda on the bench. Could a healthy scratch be coming soon?
• Taylor Pyatt is still foxy.

• Wayne Simmons is one tough BAMF.  Not only did he take a puck to face earlier in the game that required stitches, but then in the 3rd, he got clipped AGAIN in the face by Brian Boyle’s errant stick.  Wayne Simmons was all….

At 16-13-3, the Rangers have 35 points, but are still languishing toward the bottom of the Eastern Conference (two points ahead of the ninth-place New York Islanders.)  Perhaps these new line combinations will reinvigorate the streaky Rangers’ offense. The Rangers will visit the Ottawa Senators on Thursday.

For the Flyers, the outlook looks bleak.  The loss, combined with the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 2-0 win against the Buffalo Sabres, dropped the Flyers (13-17-2) into 14th place in the East. With Briere out with a concussion and Bryzgalov’s inconsistency, the malaise that has plagued the Flyers all season does not look to be going away any time soon. The Flyers host the Islanders, Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals later this week.

Soon.

Two words:

Here I was, just minding my own, thinking I was doing all well with the return of hockey.  I was just going to ease right back into it and get my bearings…then BAM…Rick Nash.

from blueshirtsunited.com

Damn you, Rick Nash.  Damn you and your LLBean-boyfriend good looks and luscious, glorious, perfect hockey flow.

My head is spinning.

I need to sit down.

Now, I’ve gone from 1 to a 1000 and need the season to start NOW!

from blueshirtsunited.com

I need my tumblr feed to be filled with photos of this lumberjack.  I need youtube to full of clips of his highlight reel goals.

from blueshirtsunited.com

I respect the Rangers and the team that they’ve assembled and there is no doubt that they will again contend for the Stanley Cup.  They came *thisclose* last year and the addition of Nash with all his skill and dominating potential could prove the final piece of the puzzle.

For any of you who regularly read this blog or follow our twitter know how I feel about this player.  So God help you all if he breaks out in a big way this season.

WUYS will be Rick Nash Central.

from blueshirtsunited.com

That is what separates me from Rick Nash.

While I am left here to wallow in my ever increasing depression over the state of the NHL, Rick is over in Switzerland just having a grand ole time.

He’s climbing the Alps and making snowmen with Joe Thornton.

He’s looking impossibly adorable in a ridiculous uniform.  What is that logo on his hockey pants?  Is that the castle from Super Mario Brothers?

Power up!

He’s scoring hat tricks. Like a boss.

He’s rocking some flow that makes me feel all those feels.

Come back, NHL. Come back, Rick Nash.

I miss you.

Also foxy – the same hockey players with puppies.

Seriously.

I double dog dare you to find anything foxier. (Don’t even try.  Because you won’t.)

This week’s Foxy Friday is dedicated to those furry and fabulous canine companions of our most popular Foxy Friday honorees…and a few that were just to adorable not to mention.

Teemu Dog

Landeskog Dog

Sharp Dog

Crosby Dog

Keith Dog

Campbell Dog

Letang Dog

Tazer Dog.
(Come on, Jonathan.  It’s an adorable puppy. Why so serious?) 

Eberle Dog.

Neal Dog.

Lundqvist Dog.
(also, can we talk about those hips? King Henrik’s, not the dog’s)

SEGGY PUPPY!!!!

And the mutha of all…

Nash Dog!

Here are few that we just had to include.

Warning: Squeeee factor on these is about eleventy billion.

Nuge Dogs.

Colby Cohen Dog.

Parros and a very big puppy.

Twitter was at Defcon One all day Tuesday and Wednesday.  That thing is worse than a middle school cafeteria for a gossipy game of telephone – and I enjoyed every second of it.  Camp Parise nearly caused a meltdown when they announced they would have an announcement, took ages to get it together, then said Zach was still thinking about it.

It was exactly like DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince singing about a girl who takes so long to get ready for a date that they miss the whole show.

But good for Zach, taking his time deciding which team to spend the rest of his life with.  Parise and Suter’s former teams (NJ and NASH) were in the running to re-sign, as well as other major contenders like Pittsburgh and Detroit.  Comparable offers were made, but both players chose Minnesota from a wide field.  Suter is from Wisconsin and his wife is from Minnesota.  Parise is a Minneapolis hometown hero – they should have a parade for his arrival.  The Wild have a great fan base, with 98.4% home attendance this year [link], despite missing the playoffs in eight of 11 seasons.  How excited are those fans now?

Suter brings the Wild 46 points, a top-notch blue line anchor and his guitar.  You know this guy is fun on the bus!  He knows all the words to your favorite song.

Parise notched 69 points and a Stanley Cup-final run last season.  We hope he packed a whole closet-full of snuggly sweatshirts.

Minnesota ranked #20 in total salaries last season, with over $8 million in cap space.  Currently they have just over $2 million left for next season.  The off-season frenzy turns now to other top available players like Rick Nash and Bobby Ryan.  A team looking to bump up their foxiness could do worse.

Of course Nash & Ryan are not UFAs.  Teams will have to give up big time assets to get them.  Especially Nash – at mid-season, the asking price was sky high.  Now that Parise is off the market, Nash’s value is looking very strong against the dollar. His contract goes through 2018 at $7.5 million and climbing.  Bobby Ryan is younger, cheaper and shorter-term at $5.5 million through 2015.

Plus, he really loves his cat.

Note to Rick Nash: Come to Pittsburgh! We didn’t get Zach, but you’re not our second choice. Well, maybe Crosby’s.  Either way, he needs a winger like he needs bigger pockets and we’re sick of hearing about it.  You can run people over before they get their hands on the Kid.  Imagine the scenario: Sid + Rick vs. Geno + James for which line can score more goals?!  I flail.  What about the Crosby, Stills & Nash jokes to be ruined by whoever gets that other wing?

Either of these guys to the Pens results in screaming that you’ll hear from your houses or cars.  What about the Caps?  They need to replace Semin!  They have money!  Okay, I’m getting ahead of myself.  One of these guys to the Flyers and Pam & Deb will never let us hear the end of it!  I just can’t help it if I want this on one of my teams:

John Scott was “shocked” to be traded to the Rangers, and was in the middle of doing laundry when the call came.  Bonus points for Foxy Fridays Matt Duchene and Gabriel Landeskog, who led the Avalanche love-fest for players both coming and going by Tweeting their teammates hello and goodbye simultaneously.  Brian Rolston goes back to Boston, where he played 4+ seasons.  The winners are anyone leaving the Islanders or Jets, and anyone going to the Canucks.  The abstainer was The Washington Capitals.  The loser?  Rick Nash.  Let’s discuss.

The Washington Capitals made zero trades, surprising a lot of people.  This seems to say that GMGM either 1) thinks the team is fine the way it is or 2) has given up on this season.  In my opinion, it’s more likely that no one was buying at his prices.  The Caps chemistry is flawed and inconsistent, but it doesn’t need to be burned to the ground.  GMGM showed continued/expensive faith in stars and fragile pandas (Sasha Fierce, Mike Green).

Misplaced faith?  Ask me in six weeks when the Caps don’t make the playoffs.  But what they had to sell (Knuble, Hamrlik) really only matches the Rolston/Mottau deal, and that was for prospects.  The Caps need players who can deliver immediately.  To get those guys, GMGM would have had to give up some of the few things that are actually working for the Caps.  I don’t want Laich, Chimera, Perreault or anyone else moving when they seem to be the only hopes left for March and April.

Then there’s poor Rick Nash.   Chuck and I are biased because we love his smiley lumberjack ways.  Also because he’s incredibly talented and seems like a genuinely nice guy.  But he’s no fool.  All Nash has to show for 9 seasons with the Blue Jackets is one trip to the playoffs, swept by the Red Wings.  The only place this captain is going is down with his ship – so he finally wanted off.

Columbus GM Scott Howson revealed yesterday that Nash asked to be traded [link].  This refuted talk the Jackets were shopping him of their own accord, and came as the clock ticked down on the biggest fish in the trade pond still trying to bite a hook.  But no team would put out enough bait.  Howson defended his astronomical asking price by pointing out he is neither required nor compelled to trade Nash just because he asked nicely.

How many of these are left in Columbus?

Now, I’m mad.  Howson threw Nash under the bus.  “Think you’re miserable now?  See how it feels when I turn the fans against you!” (Obviously not a real Howson quote.)  If Rick can’t get out of Columbus this summer, my heart will break.  He wanted to anchor that team and be the franchise guy that built a winning club.  Columbus has not delivered.  The Jackets are talking about “rebuilding” – rebuilding what?!  You have one Nash-shaped support beam and no house!  You never did.

In truth, the Jackets can’t afford to sell Nash unless they immediately start winning in return.  Rick’s price tag is something between a ransom and a bounty.  He’s all they have right now, after supposed big moves like Jeff Carter are quickly forgotten.  Columbus ranks 26th overall in NHL attendance, due in part to being so close to other teams (Pittsburgh fans call match-ups in Columbus “home games.”).  Nash is putting bodies in seats on nights when no one else can.  Without him….

I also feel for the Jackets’ fans; of course they don’t want to lose their one bright spot.  These fans, all the more precious for being in an expansion market, have stuck with the team like Nash has.  I hope they understand the position he’s in.  They can still get solid players in a Nash trade.  Come summer, teams struggling to make the playoffs now will have time to figure out what a fresh start with Nash is worth.  After what will be the Jackets’ 11th rough season in a row, it’s certainly worth a try.

But I didn’t make Rick Nash do this.  The camo jersey… since it’s a tribute to Veteran’s Day we’ll declare it okay for the day.  It’s the stache.   Ricky looks like he’s wondering just how much barbed wire he needs to keep you Pinko-Commie-Liberals out of that bunker he dug in the holler.

Maybe it’s better without the camo, right?  WRONG.  See how scared Tazer looks?  He’s signalling you with his eyes – “Help me.  Yes, you.”  Even though in this photo Rick looks more fit to sing ’50s rock about whitewall tires and rollerskating diner waitresses.

A reminder from very lucky WUYS friend Brittany (@blettany) of what Rick Nash usually looks like:

You are SO jealous.

We love Thanksgiving and fall and buying winter coats, but we’re now officially ready for November to be over.  Dear Santa, please bring us anything you want as long as it is clean-shaven or has a full beard.  We promise to be very good (until the All Star break).

Rick’s got his own workout video AND his own home gym in which to do it.

Four words.

Rick. Nash. Workout. Video.

*dies*

Why I am I just finding this now??

He really is trying to keel me.

This man can wear a backwards baseball cap like a boss.

When I named my team for Mike Green, that automatically meant I wouldn’t get him.  Happened last year with Getzlaf.  Good thing I didn’t name my team HOT DADS or I wouldn’t have gotten EStaal, Squishy, Ryan(e) Clow(e) or Cam Ward.

Pants is a good coach, and she babysits.

I won my fantasy league last year, thanks to a team build around EStaal.  I also had Clowe, Cam and Giordano – we’re just getting the band back together.  We mayneed a second bus for all our trophies: the Hart, Rocket Richard, Lady Byng and Letang’s solid-gold hair dryer.

I’d also like to nominate my team for Best Looking.  Just throwing it out there.  It won’t win us games, but it sure looks good in the handshake line.  Bet you can’t wait till it’s Team Photo day in the program!

Yes, there's a trophy for this too.

So, who wants Brodeur?

I think Mike knows how you feel. 

One for me, none for you.

How about score 2 goals against France in the World Championships?  Because I did.  I’m also hanging out with Rick Nash and James Neal and you’re not, so there’s that.  And we’re in Slovakia – good thing Pants and I watched Eurotrip before I left, because I know not to drink absinthe or mess with mimes.

Team Canada has gone 2-0 and outscored our opponents 13-2.  While you read this, we are tied 3-3 with Switzerland in the third period.

Oh, I also got nominated for Rookie of the Year.  I know Pants has a weird thing for Logan Couture but you’d think I would get some brownie points for remembering she likes Whatchamacallit candy bars.  Who else eats those?  The most fun part will be going to Las Vegas… and not being allowed to do anything.  Couture and Grabner are both 21 – can I help it if I am a phenom?  Does “I know Eric Staal” carry any weight out there?  Maybe someone will throw an 18+ night so I can at least show off my dance moves.

I'm 21. Um... my ID?

Wish us luck in the World Championships.  I know the WUYS girls are a little caught up at the moment, but Administrative Assistants’ Day was last week and it wouldn’t have killed them to make me a cake.

Get it? I'm Scotty from Eurotrip? (Pants, I know you're laughing.)

All you Fauxnadians better pay attention and cheer for me.  It’s going to be a long summer and there’s no one else to file all your Kris Letang photos in order of descending percentage of whipping his hair.

Sorry, gotta go.  Overtime! (Follow at http://www.iihf.com/)

Update: Oh hey, we won!  Thanks for your support.  Play your Bryan Adams extra loud today, for maximum Canadian celebration.

But the guy is sort of cute - no?

Only Penguins fans would do this … Or is that Pants and Chuck wrestling over Sid and Max’s sweaty towels? You decide …

And then there’s this little gem from Under Armour:

I actually found him attractive in this.

My response: I have been telling you this FOR YEARS.

And then, because truth is better than fiction, this:

Not because I wish I were Canadian.  Not even because Crosby is my favorite player on my favorite team.  Just because, as everyone realized for a few short days, hockey is awesome.

Maybe I’m a terrible American for how much I wanted this.  The US fought their hearts out, but this was the right ending for the story.  Just like our favorite Miracle on Ice story, sometimes fairy tales come true.

All the WUYS faves: Crosby, Iggy, Joey, Nash-ty, EStaal, TGB Doughty, Weber plus Old Man Neidermayer and Toews isn't even derping in the top corner.

On a not-so-side note, I feel this is also the opportunity to just put this out into the universe and hope someone is listening:  come back soon.  We miss you, the Pens miss you, heck I think even Dawn misses hating on you.   Today TSN read a roster of 40 players currently out with concussions (40!).  I held my breath hoping they weren’t going to say your name, that maybe you were surprising us all.  But there you were, almost last on the list.  It feels wrong to chase the Cup without you.

He’s doing this on purpose.   Just to torture me.

Doesn’t he know what this does to me? *swoons*

The hair.

The beard.

Those shoulders.

*chuckmeltsintopuddleoflove*

P.S. Click here to watch post game interview of Rick being all adorable and lumberjacky.

*meltsalloveragain*

As a Bruins fan, I’m glad to see that the B’s are holding steady in the top 10.  They’ve been playing well, despite their back to back losses to the #3 Red Wings.  The line of Patrice Bergeron, Mark “Wrecking Ball” Recchi, and Brad Marchand is arguably one of the top lines in all of the NHL.  They hit, they produce major points, and they work hard each and every shift.  Marchand’s nickname should be “Motoscooter”!  He is wonderfully aggressive on the fore-check and is having a breakout season for the B’s.  Chuck likes.

All out. All the time.

Glad to see that Rick Nash and the Columbus Blue Jackets moving up the rankings (from 26th to 19th).  They’ve been winning.  Nasher been getting points (5 points in last 5 games).  Rick gets named a Foxy Friday and his team’s starts playing better?  A coincidence?  I think not.

Look at Patrice Bergeron.  Before being a Foxy Friday Honoree?  Having an okay season.  After FF?  Hot like fire.

WUYS is more powerful than we thought.

So, where does your favorite team rank?  Do you agree or disagree with Burnside’s list?  Do you think the Flyers can overtake the Canucks with the acquisition of forward Kris Versteeg?

Discuss.

2010-2011 Power Rankings: Week 20

2010-2011 Power Rankings: Week 20
	RK (LW)	TEAM	REC	COMMENT
	1 (1)	Canucks	36-11-9	No truth to the rumor that Harold Snepsts is coming out of retirement to patrol the Canucks’ blue line. Ho-hum. The NHL’s first-place team responded to its latest blue-line injuries by beating rival Calgary on Saturday night.
	2 (2)	Flyers	36-14-5	We’re told the Flyers are looking for a veteran forward before the Feb. 28 trade deadline. In the meantime, is revenge in the cards Tuesday night in Tampa Bay after a 4-0 loss to the Lightning two weeks ago?
	3 (6)	Red Wings	34-16-6	I’m here to restore Hockeytown’s finest after Scott Burnside’s demotion. A home-and-home dismantling of the Big, Bad Bruins was mighty impressive this past weekend.
	4 (3)	Lightning	34-17-5	Looking forward to my visit to Tampa Bay on Tuesday to catch the Flyers-Bolts clash. This week also brings a mighty test against GM Steve Yzerman’s former team, the Detroit Red Wings.
	5 (12)	Ducks	32-21-4	I’m sorry, but any team that wins in Vancouver and Calgary on the same road trip these days automatically jumps in the rankings. Seriously, how about these Ducks?!
	6 (13)	Kings	31-22-3	Wins in Washington and Philadelphia this past weekend cement what is reality: The Kings are back, baby. They haven’t lost in regulation since Jan. 20 (7-0-2).
	7 (8)	Sharks	30-21-6	A couple of unlucky losses this past weekend, but the Sharks (like the Kings) are back in the hunt, where we all thought they would be.
	8 (7)	Bruins	31-18-7	A dominating and emotional win over rival Montreal followed by home-and-home losses to the Red Wings. Ouch.
	9 (5)	Capitals	29-17-10	We can’t figure this team out. Back-to-back losses, and now comes a five-game road trip. Will the real Washington Capitals please stand up?
	10 (9)	Canadiens	31-20-6	The Canadiens posted an important bounce-back win over the rival Maple Leafs on Saturday night after an emotional week.
	11 (10)	Predators	30-19-7	All the Carrie Underwood jokes aside, Mike Fisher is a perfect add-on by the Preds from a hockey perspective.
	12 (17)	Wild	30-20-5	The Wild’s recently improved play will get tested against the league’s best (Vancouver) on Tuesday night.
	13 (11)	Stars	31-19-6	The first-half wonders have dropped seven of nine games, including Sunday’s 2-1 stinker against Columbus.
	14 (16)	Coyotes	29-19-9	Four wins in a row, including a big one Saturday over the Blackhawks. Now will folks buy some tickets in Phoenix? Anyone?
	15 (14)	Blackhawks	28-22-6	You just keep thinking that there’s no way the Cup champs will miss the playoffs, but one day the regular season will end and …
	16 (15)	Flames	28-22-8	The Heritage Classic hosts finally cool off with back-to-back losses to Anaheim and Vancouver. The big outdoor game is Sunday versus the Habs.
	17 (4)	Penguins	35-19-4	This drop is a little harsh, I know, but with the way they’re playing right now and with all their injuries (Evgeni Malkin is out for the season, and Sidney Crosby is still sidelined), the Penguins are just not very good.
	18 (22)	Sabres	26-22-6	Sunday’s overtime loss to the Islanders aside, the boys from Buffalo are on the rise.
	19 (26)	Blue Jackets	28-23-5	We’re moving the Jackets up seven spots … winners of five of six games!
	20 (18)	Rangers	30-24-4	The Rangers beat up the depleted Penguins on Sunday, but one wonders whether this team is going in the right direction.
	21 (19)	Hurricanes	27-22-8	Can you spell H-U-G-E? Sunday’s late victory over Atlanta was indeed that.
	22 (23)	Devils	22-30-4	With their current play, the Devils should be ranked within the top 10, but the rankings can’t ignore New Jersey’s first half of the season.
	23 (21)	Thrashers	25-23-10	The Thrashers are going in the wrong direction. It’s too bad, because we love what president Don Waddell, GM Rick Dudley and coach Craig Ramsay have tried to do there this season.
	24 (25)	Panthers	24-24-7	We’ve got to give the Panthers credit. Just when you want to write them off, they come back with some big wins.
	25 (24)	Blues	24-21-9	They are running out of time.
	26 (20)	Avalanche	25-25-6	The Peter Forsberg comeback lasted all of two games, as the forward is expected to announce his retirement Monday afternoon. Meanwhile, the Avs have lost nine of 10 games.
	27 (28)	Islanders	20-29-7	Just when you think there’s no way the NHL’s doormat franchise could find a new low, it goons it up like the Hanson Brothers last week against Pittsburgh. Brutal.
	28 (27)	Maple Leafs	23-27-6	GM Brian Burke is just getting started heading into the Feb. 28 trade deadline.
	29 (29)	Senators	18-30-8	A win! A win! A win! The Senators’ 11-game slide ends in Edmonton!
	30 (30)	Oilers	16-32-8	Well, Saturday’s matinee ironed out any doubt about the No. 29/No. 30 debate.