NHL Playoff Predictions

Alright, I know we're into the second round of the playoffs, with some teams already through to the third round, so I realize that it doesn't take much to make a playoff prediction at this stage, but here goes anyways:

If you understand anything about the magic of the Montreal Canadiens and the improbableness of their post-season success so far, you know it's because they're going to win the whole thing. The Canadiens have won a Stanley Cup at least once in every decade since the league began and this year is their final kick at the cat for the current decade. So the cup is theirs, that's all there is too it. Sorry Crosby, my family loves you and everything, but go ask Wayne Gretzky what it feels like to run into one of Montreal's teams of destiny.

The Best Sports Commercial of All Time

Ok, so maybe not of all time, but last year's NHL Playoff commercial featuring Sidney Crosby was awesome primarily because it wasn't for anything except hockey. Sports figures are no strangers to commercial endorsements, a strategy that uses their personal prowess and characteristics to sell goods by proxy, but this particular commercial was designed as a teaser for the playoffs themselves. It's Sidney Crosby's determination that's on display here as the camera focuses on an image of the Crosby and company during a timeout in the dying minutes of the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals, the look on their faces making it apparent to all that they know they are going to lose. The Penguins victory in 2009 makes Crosby's final words, "I never what to be in this photograph again" prophetic and chilling.

This year's NHL commercials are also pretty good, but only perhaps because I remember watching most of these moments the first time around, from Gretzky streaking in on a defenseless Billy Smith, to the young, skinny Patrick Roy's amazing playoff run. The best though is Mario splitting the Minnesota defense, a scene of sublime skill that's wrapped up in my mind with his subsequent back injuries and battles with Hodgkin's Disease. How much better could he have been?

The Olympics, Magic Socks and I Love You Sidney Crosby

The Olympics are over and in the final analysis Canada did good despite all my misgivings. It was two weeks of living vicarious through athletes who became a part of our families and communities. Own the Podium appears to have been worthwhile, but I think the real reason for our success are the two items pictured above. As part of her own Olympian efforts in her Ravelry knitting community, my wife completed 9.5 of 10 socks she had hoped to complete during the games (that final hockey was just too engrossing), including these magical red and gold socks that seemed to open the medal flood gates for Canada. Over the last five days of the Games, Canada's medal count went from a topic of national worry and debate to an unprecedented celebration of gold medals for a host nation. Certainly the hard work of the athletes is a part of the story, but the fact that my wife wore these lucky socks straight through those last five days is another one.

Not to be outdone, my daughter made her own Canadian rally flag, the energetic waving of which tended to coincide with favourable outcomes for Canada. Thus, headed into the overtime of the Men's Hockey Final, my house was a flurry of homemade flags, socks, shouting, and anguished floor slapping all culminating in a final "I Love You Sidney Crosby!" screamed by my daughter as the game-winning goal slid past the line.