NCAA Lacrosse Championships. #7. Virginia vs. Maryland

Virginia upset Cornell to get to the final four and then man-handled Denver to get to the title for the first time for their senior class. Maryland upset basically everyone. North Carolina, Syracuse, and Duke to get here and they are ready to pull off another upset. Here are the keys for each team.

Virginia: Get Stanwick and and Chris Bocklet involved.

It's no surprise to anyone these guys have lead the charge for Virginia with Shammel and Rhammel Bratton being out for the tournament after conduct detrimental to the team. If they keep playing the way they have been, Maryland should be out of this game very early.

Maryland: Win it for Ryan

Ryan Young's mother tragically passed away from cancer this season, and since then the Terps have been playing in her honor. Ryan knows there's nothing his mother would like more then for her son to lift up the national championship trophy. And although that's not a replacement for his loss, at least he knows his teammates won it in her honor.

Prediction:

The dream season rages on for the Terps. Maryland wins it 8-7.

ESPN Monday Night Baseball: Philadelphia at St. Louis

Team Records-Philadelphia (25-14, 12-7 away); St. Louis (22-19, 10-9 home)

Projected Pitchers-Philadelphia: Cliff Lee. St. Louis Jake Westbrook

Weather: 45 degrees with a chance of light rain

Storyline

Philadelphia: Last season, Ryan Howard hit .412, 1 home run, 2 doubles, and 2 RBI in 4 games at Busch Stadium. He's back and is expected to make a big outcome for the Phillies

St. Louis: Tony La Russa is expected to come back into the dugout today. He was out for a good bit of time after a battle with shingles. He is still uncertain but his return predicted return date was Monday. The Cardinals could use their skipper in the dugout tonight.

Prediction-Phillies are two hot to handle. Cliff Lee is a monster, and Ryan Howard is a beast at Busch Stadium. Phillies win it 5-1.

Western Conference Finals: #1. Vancouver vs. #2. San Jose

2 teams that have oddly similar postseasons. And by oddly similar I mean their series are the same. First series for Vancouver against Chicago, Vancouver goes up 3-0, blows it, and wins game 7. In San Jose's first series against Los Angeles, San Jose won game 1, lost game 2, won games 3 and 4, lost game 5, and won game 6. For their second series, just switch the games around and the same order in which they were won. Regardless, they are both here now. Here are my 3 keys to the series.


1. Thornton vs. Kesler.

Joe Thornton playing arguably his best playoff hockey right now while Ryan Kesler is arguably playing the best hockey in the entire world right now. But this should be interesting. Kesler is a huge body that lays in hits defensively but also plays fantastic offense netting 5 goals and helping out his team with 10 assists. Joe Thornton has 2 goals and 9 assists, both less then Kesler, but Thornton isn't so far behind Kesler thanks to his stellar play defensively. "Jumbo Joe" has been a monster defensively always intercepting passes, and making good passes to get the puck out of the zone which is good because if you've watched the Sharks this year you know most the goals the Sharks give up are when they can't clear the zone. With Thornton on the ice that doesn't happen. Let's also not forget the face-off power these guys bring. Kesler is 53% while Joe Thornton is 61%.

2. A Year of Anniversaries.

San Jose and Vancouver are both celebrating team anniversaries. Vancouver is in their 40th season and San Jose is in their 20th season. Now both teams have a chance to bring home that Lord Stanely's Cup for their anniversary year. Doesn't it just touch your heart? No, because it's hockey and they still have work to do. It may be their anniversary year and one of them is going to have a chance. But that doesn't mean they win. Be happy about your anniversary year after you win the cup. For now, focus on how you need to get past the team your playing now to even get a chance at it.

3. A Nation United.

The last time a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup was in 1993. That's 18 years ago. Let's take that into perspective. In 1993, gas was $1.16, the World Trade Centers were bombed for the first time, and the most popular movie was Jurassic Park. Yes, the first one. That was a long time ago. Sure teams have come close with Calgary in 2004, and Edmonton in 2006. But they fell short. Vancouver is the clear cut favorite by many people for the Cup and they have an entire nation backing them up. Talk about a large fanbase.


Players To Watch:

Vancouver: Sedin 1 and Sedin 2.

Talk about duds. The most hyped up players in the regular season enter the postseason and do basically nothing. They are going to need to step up and take charge of this team to send them to the Cup Finals.


San Jose: Patrick Marleau.

2 goals against Los Angeles. 1 POINT alone against Detroit. This guy was the leading scorer in the regular season, just like the Sedin's, and needs to step up. The Sharks will not get far with Marleau struggling.


Prediction: This is the toughest pick all year long so far. Vancouver has outplayed the Sharks in the regular season but that was when the Sedin's were doing well. I don't expect them to do well again in this series. Give me the Sharks in 6 games folks.

Eastern Conference Finals: #3. Boston vs. #5. Tampa Bay

Bruins got revenge last series and did it while dominating the Flyers in 4 while the Lightning also got themselves a sweep except they took out the number 1 seed in the east in Washington. Now these two teams battle off for a place in the Stanley Cup Finals. The last time Tampa Bay wonthe Stanley Cup was in 2004 when they beat the Calgary Flames in 7 games. The last time the Bruins won the Stanley Cup was in 1972. They beat the New York Rangers in 6 games. Here are my 3 keys to the series.

1. Goaltending.

Well well well, looks like we have ourselves a battle. Two veteran goalies finally getting a chance to prove himself and both are putting on a clinic. Tim Thomas is 37 and has an 8-3 record while allowing 23 goals past him. He has the second best save percentage and goals allowed average in the NHL right now. Who has number 1? His counterpart, Dwayne Roloson. The 41 year old wants one more shot before he retires. He was the Edmonton Oilers goalie for the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals but was injured in game 1 against the Carolina Hurricanes. He finally is one step away from another shot. He leads the NHL in save percentage and goals allowed as I mentioned earlier and he played a potent Washington Capitals offense and a injured but still strong Pittsburgh offense. The goaltending in these games will be huge. It will make or break this series.

2. Patrice Bergeron.

Bergeron was injured in the series clinching game 4 against the Philadelphia Flyers getting hit by Claude Giroux. Giroux's helmet hit Bergeron and the Bruins are saying he has a concussion. Not a big concussion, but a concussion regardless. He has been the powerplay monster for the Bruins and without him their struggling powerplay takes an even worse hit. Here's to hoping Bergeron makes a recovery and can return for the series against Tampa Bay.

3. Sean Bergenheim.

This guy has kind of flew into the spotlight. He spent the regular season playing 80 games and netting 14 goals, ranking 174th among active players. But in this postseason he has played 11 games and has 7 goals which leads the league. If he continues to put goals in the net like that (unlikely with a wall like Thomas between the pipes) he is my pick for the Conn Smythe winner.


Players to watch:

I'm not even going to write anything here. Read key 1 to the series and you'll understand who and why.


Prediction: Tampa Bay has been the hottest team this postseason and they have postseason leaders like Vinny Lecavalier and Martin. St. Louis. That's something the Bruins don't have. Give me the Lightning in 6.

Western Conference Semifinals #1. Vancouver vs. #5. Nashville.

Vancouver almost choked and fell to history as they lost a 3-0 series lead but, fortunately for them, won game 7, while Nashville won their first playoff series in team history. (Also they have Carrie Underwood as a fan.) Here are my 3 keys to the series.

Number 1: Rest or Rust?

Vancouver played 2 nights ago in a fantastic series win. They are start game 1 tonight against Nashville. Nashville on the other hand had more time to rest. Or did they rust? The question of all questions. Is having more time to rest better? We will find out with how Nashville does.

Number 2: Sedins M.I.A.

Sure games 1, 2, and 3 the Sedins were huge. Then the rest of the series, including the Canucks game 7 win, the Sedins were mediocre at best. The biggest players arguably in the NHL went missing. That is not good at all for Vancouver. They need to find their game or this could be ugly.

Number 3: Shea Weber (and his beard.)

You guys know that Shea Weber's slapshot has it's own Twitter account? Weird right? No. Not weird. His slap shot is incredible. Strikes fear into the hearts of goalies around the NHL. But enough of his slapshot. His defensive talent is incredible. Notice above how I said the Sedin's went missing. Do you want to know why they went missing? They went missing because Chicago played tough, physical defense. Guess what Nashville plays? Tough, physical defense. They keep that up and Vancouver could be in for a lot of trouble.

Players to Watch

Vancouver-Roberto Luongo.

"Luuuuuuuuuu" wasn't to hot for most of the series against Chicago except for game 7. He has had playoff struggles in the past against Chicago so many Canucks fans are hoping that was the only issue. If he struggles against a Nashville team with something to prove, they might not be so lucky to get out of the series alive.


Nashville-Pekka Rinne

He stood on his head in the first series and played very well to shut down Corey Perry and the Ducks. However, despite Vancouver not having Corey Perry they are still more talented offensively. Rinne better be ready for a strong offensive attack or Vancouver will skate circles around him and win easily.

Prediction

Vancouver did not impress me enough to win this series when Nashville has something to prove. UPSET SPECIAL! Nashville in 6.

Eastern Conference Semifinals. #1. Washington vs. #5. Tampa Bay.

Washington did have some close games but stuck it out and won their series. Tampa Bay became the 24th team in NHL history to come back from a 3-1 deficit against Pittsburgh. Here are my 3 keys to the series.

Number 1: Momentum

Tampa Bay played extremely well in games 5, 6, and 7. That comeback must have been huge to help them out. Steven Stamkos got his first playoff goal and got over that hump. If Washington lays back a little, that momentum can carry over and really kill Washington.

Number 2: Ovechkin.

He had a good series which is always good for the Caps. He needs to keep that up. Ovechkin is the leader of this team and there is nothing he wants more then a Stanley Cup. He just needs to get over this hump and he's one step closer. That excitement could not only lead to a Stanley Cup but maybe a Conn Smythe coming Ovi's way.

Number 3: Neuvirth

Michal Neuvirth has never lost a postseason series in his life. If that isn't good for the Caps I don't know what is. He kept that streak alive with the win over the Rangers. Tampa Bay shouldn't be a huge threat so that series should stay alive if he can stand strong.

Players to Watch

Washington-Mike Green (if he plays)

Mike Green missed the rest of the regular season after he took a puck to the face against Pittsburgh. He is a huge defensive help for the Caps and without him their talent ticked down a full notch. Game 5 against the Rangers, Mike Green took a puck to the face. Again. Washington fans have to hope he can play through the pain. He can help this team out dramatically.

Tampa Bay-Dwayne Roloson

How CLUTCH was this guy against Pittsburgh? Game 5, 6, and 7 he was absolutely fantastic for Tampa Bay. The best trade made this season was Dwayne Roloson to Tampa Bay. If he stands on his head like he did against Pittsburgh, don't be surprised if he is on the right end of the handshake line at the end of the series.

Prediction

Like I said Washington had close games and Roloson was fantastic. That's not enough to ignore the fact Washington is much more talented then Tampa Bay. Washington takes it in 5.

Western Conference Semifinals #2. San Jose vs. #3. Detroit.

Sharks were expecting an easy road over a beat up Kings team and didn't get one, while Detroit came out firing against Phoenix. Last year the Sharks eliminated the Wings in the Western Conference Semifinals. Detroit's looking for revenge. Here are my 3 keys to the series.

Number 1: Zetterburg.

Absent in the first series. Not an issue. Coming back this series. GIANT help. With him Detroit is just a better team overall and with how they played last series, that is frightening. Expect him to light the lamp or at least help light the lamp many times.

Number 2: Goaltending.

Jimmy Howard last year and this year during the regular season hasn't been fantastic against the Sharks but was excellent against Phoenix last series. On the opposite side, Niemi was fantastic against the Wings this regular season going 3-0 but struggled during the first series against Los Angeles. It's going to be interesting to see which one of them shows up. Fair warning. If you like defensive games, do not watch this series. With high powered offenses and goalies who have had their share of struggles, these games are going to be high scoring.

Number 3: Overtime.

Detroit better hope they can close out the games during regulation. Sharks had 3 overtime games against Los Angeles. L.A's defense is great. Jonathan Quick is great. And somehow the Sharks won all 3 of those overtime games. They turn it up a notch in overtime and if they can beat Quick, my guess is Howard won't be as tough.

Players to watch: San Jose-Joe Thornton

Some people said Thornton got the "choker" label off his back with his game 6 overtime goal. (In my personal opinion he was never a playoff choker. Just because he didn't produce as many points as people thought doesn't mean he didn't play hard defensively and give his team chances to score.) Well if people still think he is a choker he can make it a little bit better with a good series against Detroit. Like I said above he doesn't need to produce points. He is the captain. Captains help their team get over humps and win games. If he does his job as a captain, he has a good series in my book.

Detroit-Jimmy Howard.

Like I said he's been mediocre against San Jose this year and last years playoffs. He will need to be clutch to stop a high powered offense like the offense of the San Jose Sharks. Detroit will rely heavily on him. There may be a game where for some reason they just can't find the net and that's when Howard will need to step up. If not, this series will be awful for Detroit.

Prediction

San Jose has regular season success against the Wings going 3-1 (3-0 with Niemi as the starting goalie.) Sharks win it in 7.