My First NHL 2019-2020 Season post.

In past years, I would have written something back in late September 2019 during NHL pre-season. Except for Sportnet's firing of Don Cherry in November 2019, I haven't written a word about the 2019-2020 NHL season. What took so long? Many of the teams I like aren't playing well. Some of the teams that are playing well - some of which I used to like - I now want to see them crushed.

Unless magic happens, (as it did for The Blues last season), currently the MN Wild aren't playing in the manner that brings home The Stanley Cup. We'll see if the Wild can shake off the bad juju and turn their game around over the next few months.

It's overdue, by a few seasons, that NHL Commish Bettman needs to go. He's held the position since 19fucking93. He did some good, some not-so-good. Step aside, Gary.

Related - Toronto Sun (December 2019): Hockey Night In Canada ratings fall after firing of Don Cherry. Only Sportnet and HNIC didn't see this coming.

Happy Hockey!

St. Louis Blues win Stanley Cup!

Game 7 Final Score: St. Louis Blues 4 - Boston Bruins 1

I am SO FCUKING GLAD BOSTON LOST!

CONGRATS BLUES! 

This is a historic win for St. Louis!

Stanley Cup Game 7; Boston v St. Louis; Tonight 8PM Eastern Time

Game 7, NHL Stanley Cup, 8PM tonight, in Boston. Series tied 3 games apiece.

The Blues have never won The Cup. I'd like to see them win tonight.

Predictions

Oddssharks predicts a final score of Bruins 3.6 - Blues 1.8.

My prediction: Boston 3 - St. Louis 2 in OT.

Happy Hockey!

Disclaimer: The above and future fantasy "final score predictions", are not meant to be, or intended to be, or construed as, or subconsciously suggested as, advice on which to make wagers or betting. It is simply the observation of an NHL fan. If you have even the slightest desire to gamble based on anything written here, immediately seek help from your doctor and/or call 911. You are INSANE to consider my fantasy NHL musings as a basis on which to gamble, “sportsbet” or other type of wager. I am not responsible for any losses, financial, emotional or otherwise. On the other hand, good natured comments of childish taunting, ad-hominem attacks and name-calling by hockey fans and non-hockey fans alike in the comments section is encouraged.

Stanley Cup Game 6; Tonight in St. Louis; Blues lead series 3 - 2. One game away from their first Cup.

NHL.com: Stanley Cup Game 6 preview and Game 5 Recap. 

Game 5 Final Score: Blues 2 - Bruins 1

My prediction for Game 5 was Blues 4, Bruins 3. I picked the winning team, but not the right final score. Oh well, I'll take that.

 

Should the Blues win tonight, expect the ground under St. Louis to liquefy due to the celebrating, causing an earthquake with rolling aftershocks hitting all four corners of the country. Inside Enterprise Center...the decibel level tonight? Man...a level that will make an AC/DC concert seem subdued and reserved by comparison.

Predictions

Oddsshark predicted final score: Boston 3.2 - St. Louis 2.2

Game 6, Blues on Home Ice. I originally predicted this series will go all seven games. I'll maintain that prediction.

But I'd sure like to see the Blues win their first Stanley Cup - in 52 years.

My Prediction: Blues 3 - Bruins 2 in OT.

Game 6, 7PM Eastern Time - FREE! - on broadcast NBC.

Go Blues! Happy Hockey.

Disclaimer: The above and future fantasy "final score predictions", are not meant to be, or intended to be, or construed as, or subconsciously suggested as, advice on which to make wagers or betting. It is simply the observation of an NHL fan. If you have even the slightest desire to gamble based on anything written here, immediately seek help from your doctor and/or call 911. You are INSANE to consider my fantasy NHL musings as a basis on which to gamble, “sportsbet” or other type of wager. I am not responsible for any losses, financial, emotional or otherwise. On the other hand, good natured comments of childish taunting, ad-hominem attacks and name-calling by hockey fans and non-hockey fans alike in the comments section is encouraged.

Stanley Cup Game 5; Tonight in Boston. Series tied 2 - 2.

Barclay, the St. Louis Blues' dog training for a greater mission.

The Stanley Cup series is tied, two games each for Boston and St. Louis. Game 4 Recap here.

Monday's Game 4 final score was Blues 4, Boston 2.

My Prediction for Game 4 was: Blues 3 - Bruins 1. While my final score prediction was wrong, I did accurately pick the winner of the game. I'll give myself one point for that.

Game 5 tonight, 8PM Eastern Time in Boston and it's on FREE network NBC-TV. FREE! It's FREE! Of course, you'll have to sit through television commercials which pay for the FREE broadcast, but you likely already own a fleet of Lincolns for no other reason than Matthew McConaughey drives them.

Monday's Game 4, statistically - or for trivia purposes - was the first Stanley Cup game EVER won by St. Louis, in St. Louis. Kinda neat.

Game 5 - ESPN: What to watch for.

Predictions:

Oddsshark has Bruins over Blues, 3.1 - 2.4. 

Playing on Home Ice...Boston will probably win tonight. I'll be contrarian I'm often told I am:

My Prediction: Blues 4, Bruins 3

GO Blues! Happy Hockey!

Disclaimer: The above and future fantasy "final score predictions", are not meant to be, or intended to be, or construed as, or subconsciously suggested as, advice on which to make wagers or betting. It is simply the observation of an NHL fan. If you have even the slightest desire to gamble based on anything written here, immediately seek help from your doctor and/or call 911. You are INSANE to consider my fantasy NHL musings as a basis on which to gamble, “sportsbet” or other type of wager. I am not responsible for any losses, financial, emotional or otherwise. On the other hand, good natured comments of childish taunting, ad-hominem attacks and name-calling by hockey fans and non-hockey fans alike in the comments section is encouraged.

Stanley Cup Game 4; Tonight in St. Louis. Series: BOS 2 - STL 1

Saturday's Game 3 of the NHL Stanley Cup had Boston winning 7 to 2 over St. Louis. P1 ended with a score of the Bruins leading the Blues 3 - 0. The Blues picked up a goal in P2 while the Bruins picked up two. Going into P3, the score was 5 - 1, the Blues managed one goal while Boston nailed two more.

St. Louis couldn't catch or make a break for themselves on Monday night and Boston was on top of their game. Blues' defense was sluggish, which is in keeping with their inconsistent play during regular-season. Some nights they had it (defense), other nights they didn't.

Game 3 Final Score: Bruins 7 - Blues 2.

My Game 3 Score Prediction: Blues 5 - Bruins 2. I'm 0 for 3; on a roll!

Tonight's Game 4 preview here.

The Puck hits the Ice at 8PM Eastern time and it's televised on Teh NBC FREE TV! FREE!! FREE!! That must make Crazy Bernie and Teh Cortez happy...because... it's FREE!

Predictions

Oddsshark predicts tonight's Final Score: Bruins 3.2 - Blues 2.2

My Prediction: Blues 3 - Bruins 1

GO Blues! Happy Hockey!

Disclaimer: The above and future fantasy "final score predictions", are not meant to be, or intended to be, or construed as, or subconsciously suggested as, advice on which to make wagers or betting. It is simply the observation of an NHL fan. If you have even the slightest desire to gamble based on anything written here, immediately seek help from your doctor and/or call 911. You are INSANE to consider my fantasy NHL musings as a basis on which to gamble, “sportsbet” or other type of wager. I am not responsible for any losses, financial, emotional or otherwise. On the other hand, good natured comments of childish taunting, ad-hominem attacks and name-calling by hockey fans and non-hockey fans alike in the comments section is encouraged.

Stanley Cup Game 3; Tonight in St. Louis. Series tied 1 - 1.

St. Louis won Game 2, a final score 3 - 2 in OT on Wednesday night, in Boston, tying the series one game each.

My Game 2 prediction for a final score was Boston 3 - St. Louis 1, so I'm 0 for 2, my inability to accurately predict a final score consistent as it's been in past seasons. Once in awhile I get one right, but then a blind squirrel finds an acorn every now and then.

Game 3 is tonight, at 8 PM Eastern time. It's the first game of the series with the Blues playing on home ice with Game 4 also in StL.

Injury List: Scroll halfway down the page and on the left, at Oddsshark you'll find an injuries "box". Click on BOS and STL for player injuries; both teams affected.

Game 3 Predictions

Oddsshark predicts a final score of Game 3 with the Bruins over the Blues, 2.8 to 2.6.

I don't know...I'm pulling random numbers out of the ether here...My prediction:  Blues 5 - Bruins 2.

Go Blues!

Happy Hockey!

Disclaimer: The above and future fantasy "final score predictions", are not meant to be, or intended to be, or construed as, or subconsciously suggested as, advice on which to make wagers or betting. It is simply the observation of an NHL fan. If you have even the slightest desire to gamble based on anything written here, immediately seek help from your doctor and/or call 911. You are INSANE to consider my fantasy NHL musings as a basis on which to gamble, “sportsbet” or other type of wager. I am not responsible for any losses, financial, emotional or otherwise. On the other hand, good natured comments of childish taunting, ad-hominem attacks and name-calling by hockey fans and non-hockey fans alike in the comments section is encouraged.

Stanley Cup Game 2 Tonight: Blues v Bruins

 
Monday's Game One of the NHL Stanley Cup was a win for Boston over St. Louis.

Final score of Game #1: Bruins 4 - Blues 2.

My Game #1 prediction: Blues 4 - Bruins 3 (in OT).

The Blues took a 2 to 0 lead into the second period. Bruins Connor Clifton fired a puck past Blues' goalie Jordan Binnington, followed minutes later by teammate Charlie McAvoy, tying the score at 2 - 2.

It stayed at 2 - 2 until P3, when Boston's Sean Kuraly scored, giving the Bruins 3, St. Louis 2. Teammate Brad Marchand nailed the puck into an empty net with a minute, 48 seconds left in the game, making the final score of 4 - 2.

The Blues played well, basically, the whole game. They got a little sloppy, Boston capitalized on it, and St. Louis couldn't pop back.

The Blues' Robert Thomas and Vince Dunn are on the injured list for tonight's Game 2, in Boston, at 8PM Eastern Time.

NHL.com: Are the Blues poised for a rebound in Game 2?

The Blues don't need to win tonight's game, but they really do. Going into game 3 - in St. Louis - down by two, kind of...sucks.

Predictions

Oddsshark predicts a final score in tonight's game of: Boston 3.2 - St. Louis 2.2.

I'd like for the Blues to win and tie the series tonight. The realist in me speaks differently.

My Prediction: Boston 3 - St. Louis 1

Happy Hockey!

Disclaimer: The above and future fantasy "final score predictions", are not meant to be, or intended to be, or construed as, or subconsciously suggested as, advice on which to make wagers or betting. It is simply the observation of an NHL fan. If you have even the slightest desire to gamble based on anything written here, immediately seek help from your doctor and/or call 911. You are INSANE to consider my fantasy NHL musings as a basis on which to gamble, “sportsbet” or other type of wager. I am not responsible for any losses, financial, emotional or otherwise. On the other hand, good natured comments of childish taunting, ad-hominem attacks and name-calling by hockey fans and non-hockey fans alike in the comments section is encouraged.

2019 Stanley Cup: Game One, Blues v Bruins.

Game One of The Stanley Cup starts tonight on broadcast NBC ("free"..."FREE !!" "FREE !!!"), at 8PM Eastern Time.

St. Louis Blues vs Boston Bruins; the Blues easily the underdog in this match-up.

Oh, the factors...

Boston on home ice, always nice. For the Blues, nothing better than that feeling of winning the first "away" game; really a boost for both morale and endorphins.

USA MacPaper: NHL injury list lists three players for the Bruins listed as "Probably Monday" while one Blues player, defenseman Vince Dunn is definitely out for tonight's game.

Goalies: 

Blues Goalie Jordan Binnington has done a wonderful job in the playoffs.

Bruins Goalie Tuukka Rask is everything any team wants guarding the net. 

Here's a side-by-side comparison of Binnington and Rask at Daily Face Off.

Predictions

Oddsharks: Blues 2.3 - Bruins 3.1.

My Predictions:

* This series goes the full seven games.

* Tonight's Game One: Blues 4 - Bruins 3 in OT.

Happy Hockey!

Disclaimer: The above and future fantasy "final score predictions", are not meant to be, or intended to be, or construed as, or subconsciously suggested as, advice on which to make wagers or betting. It is simply the observation of an NHL fan. If you have even the slightest desire to gamble based on anything written here, immediately seek help from your doctor and/or call 911. You are INSANE to consider my fantasy NHL musings as a basis on which to gamble, “sportsbet” or other type of wager. I am not responsible for any losses, financial, emotional or otherwise. On the other hand, good natured comments of childish taunting, ad-hominem attacks and name-calling by hockey fans and non-hockey fans alike in the comments section is encouraged.

2019 Generic Predictions Guaranteed Accurate

She's really going out on a limb, here. CBS News NY:

...we asked Psychic Nikki to shed some light on the year ahead. This is what she sees for the the coming year.

"The world will still be a tumultuous place[.]"
[...]
"[T]he stock market is going to be up and down."
[...]
"Extreme weather events will continue...The weather is very mixed up."
[...]
 “People want to be happier.”

Psychic Nikki's site states, "THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NOT EVERYONE CAN LEARN TO DO."

Nikki. PTTS.

I won't, and can't, pretend to have this Six-Sense awareness of Psychic Nikki. Shirley, it takes some kind of keen foresight I don't have.

Some days during 2019 will be more sunny/cloudy/rainy/windy than other days.

Lots of people will continue spending time staring into black mirrors.
 
More, and or less, and or the same, amount of people will visit your site or blog depending on the content and how much time they have.

Summer may prove to be a time of possible increase in vacations or time off from work.

Library hours may vary.

My future NHL predictions will continue to be hazy. 3 to 1. Maybe.

That'll be $250.00.