ch_nl

Finland is down 2-0 versus Slovenia after just 15 minutes of the first period. Anze Kopitar are leading the way. Slovenia has so far spend 10 minutes in the penalty box.

Canada dictate the rules. Without Canada hockey is nothing and the World Championships doesn't mean that much to Canada, still they are they most vital team to the tournament. Keep Canada happy and they will continue. The World Championships has never been played in Canada. World Juniors is a bigger event.

The World Championships in Riga, Latvia starts tomorrow. Group A. Czech Republic, Finland, Latvia and Slovenia. - Finland lost the Olympic final to Sweden and a lot of the players from Finland wan't revenge. At this very moment 9 NHL players have accepted the invitation and Finland have the best team in ages at the world championships. Czech Republic hasn't played good all season. There's talk about controvercy between the players and the staff. I think Czech Republic will finnish 3rd in their group as Latvia will have a seventh player on the ice all tournament as their fans could be the most passionate. Slovenia will finnish last and the only reason to watch their games are Anze Kopitar, drafted by the Kings whom likley will play in the NHL next season. Prediction: Finland Latvia Czech Republic Slovenia Group B. Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and Italy - The weak group. Switzerland could acctually win the group but if so they have to win all of their games. As a swede I think Tre Kronor will win the group but it could be either way. Ukraine should beat the Italians and claim the third spot. Prediction: Sweden Switzerland Ukraine Italy Group C. Slovakia, Russia, Belarus and Kazakhztan. The old east. Slovakia had a great Olympics and I think they can do it again. Russia has impressed be a lot. Alexander Semin, Evgeni Malkin and Alexander Ovechkin. This trio could be the best players in the world in a few year time. Russia will go with young hungry players and therefore I see them succed. Belarus has more routine than the Kazaks and claims the last playoff spot. Prediction: Russia Slovakia Belarus Kazakhztan Group D. Canada, USA, Norway and Denmark. Canada has better players and Im sure Canada won't be pleased with anything but a gold medal. USA is a solid team and Denmark has the potential to upset. Peter Regin could be the first NHL players from Denmark. Look for him. Prediction: Canada USA Denmark Norway

Saku Koivu has the chance of getting a medal this year if he's healthy. I think the finns are hungry this time and I expect them to get home with a medal. Russia and Canada are the other two that I expect to go far.

Do not agree. Some player blossom fast. Forwards tends to do so. Higgins, Plekanec and Perezhogin should be there in a 3 years time. Kostitsyn the older and younger are 4-5 years away. Komisarek could realize his potential the very next season. Kyle Chipchura could be a Ryder-type who learns fast. That's my impression. With using the Theodore-money right in the offseason this shouldn't be an issue.

New Jersey are red hot and has been so for a while. Maybe they can keep it up. Carolina on the other hand has just started to find their game after adding Weight and Recchi. I think they will be even better this series. Cam Ward and Saku Koivu are the reason why Carolina made it to the next round. Why shouldn't Ward continue? Ottawa-Buffalo will be a really interesting series. Ottawa who has the best player versus the "best team". I think Buffalo is a great example of that hockey is a team sports. Ottawa should be good enough to get the series but Im uncertain on this one.

EAST (1)Ottawa vs. (4)Buffalo: Ottawa in 7 (2)Carolina vs. (3)New Jersey: New Jersey in 7 WEST (5)San Jose vs. (8)Edmonton: San Jose in 5 (6)Anaheim vs. (7)Colorado: Colorado in 5

The talk has begun. It's easy to call for heads but this team made it to the playoffs and IF Saku Koivu would have played things could have been different. But the team needs to improve. How? There's a lot things that could be done but at the same time the Habs finnished the season as one of the better team if you look post olympics. I don't think the Habs needs any major changes. Maybe a small tweak... Rivet, Souray, Boullion, Komisarek and Markov should all be back for next season. As a group I like them all. Dandeanults contract makes him hard to move and Mark Streit did it OK but not more. I hope that Gainey only moves a defenceman if he can lay his hand on a major upgrade.

Last dance of the season comming up? The Canes have the momentum but there is one good thing. Montreal won't lose 3 straight on their home ice. Aint happening. Whatever the score will be tonight I'll be happy that this team made it to the playoffs. Without Koivu in the lineup the Hurricanes looks like a better team and Im sure the Habs will be back better than ever next season. Let's get the dance starting!

I don't get why one must like the personal opinions of a bands front person in order to like the music. I like Dylan but I don't share his political opinoin. I do think Bono has some good ideas but at the same time I do realize that he's naive.

This is interesting. Detroit didn't have a goalie that could steal a game or two and at the same time it seems like the Oilers got the right players on the trading deadline.

U2 fan here. Have all the albums. Best overall album from U2: The Joshue Tree. Could be one of the best albums ever. Best song: Staring at the sun and Sunday bloody sunday.

The only player the Habs can't replace. I was thinking of it and how to solve the situation. Here's my conclusion. Let the line with Ribeiro, Kovalev and Bulis be our first line. Kovalev has been great thus far and Ribeiro should grow with the task. I know some of you question his character but this is an oppertunity for Ribs. If he get's the chance I think he will take it. On the second line it would look tempting to rebiuld the rookie-line with Perezhogin, Plekanec and Higgins. But this is the playoffs and one with some experience should replace one of the rookies. Sundström, Bonk or Zednik? Bonk has been great so far and here's the problem. Do you promote him to the second line or do you keep the lines intact? I think Bonk deserves to be on the second line and therefore I suggest a line with Bonk, Higgins and Ryder. Sunny has 3 points in 3 games and he's up next. Zednik is a playoff performer and Plekanec is next in line when it comes to centers. Fourth line. Garth Murray. Alexander Perezhogin and the call-up. My vote goes to Andrei Kostitsyn. Why? Montreal scored just one goal last game. Any offense is welcome even at a loss of saftey in the defensive department. Huet might be the best goaltender in the leauge and the defesive is intact and has done a fantastic work so far. I trust them. And maybe Kostitsyn and Perezhogin can work some red-machine magic? Bulis - Ribeiro - Kovalev Higgins - Bonk - Ryder Sundström - Plekanec - Zednik Kostitsyn - Murray - Perezhogin

And no penalty... The referee had a bad night. Just as anyone can have. Unfortunally for us it was the Habs that got hurt. A hockey player is responsible for his stick. Even in acidents. I won't blame the game on them as I think the Habs should have scored more goals but the puck went Canes way all night and 2-1 in the series after just one game at home is still a good.

No! Aeroplane comming in. Have to work.

Ryder. The presses has allready started. Ryder AGAIN!

Could someone enlighten me on what happend to captain Koivu?

Now we will see which team had the hardest training camp. Some should feel fatigued after the OT in Carolina. Prediction for tonight's game: Montreal Canadiens 4 - Carolina Hurricanes 0 Montreal goals by: Kovalev Zednik Markov Bonk

Bonk Kovalev Sundström Zednik Perezhogin Boullion Plekanec ... The whole team has shift gears and are now aiming at the cup.

12 goals in two games. Wow. 2-0 and series going to Montreal. WOW! Who would have guessed? The Habs are in a great position. Win one of the following games at home and the series should be ours.

Some stuff happend since I went from home. Now hope the Habs can bite back and go to Montreal with a 2-0. Go Habs Go! Saku Koivu in OT.

Come on Habs. I don't wan't the score to be even when I tune in again!

Have to drive to work, but have to listen thru the PK...

9 unanswered goal on the Canes. I understand the kids tought they would run over Carolina. The veterans should know better and lead by example. I hope the Canadiens can manage the lead into the intermission and then regroup and win this game like a team should after a 3-0 lead. Go Habs Go!

Im starting to feel it. Cup crazy. Go Habs Go! Payback time.