Hockey isn’t without its standouts, I know. The Detroit Red Wings, for example, have been at the top of the West for the entire season. However, both conferences this year have tight playoff races where all but a handful of teams have a legitimate chance for a playoff spot. Let’s break it down by conference.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

The East is the tighter of the two conferences. The Tampa Bay Lightning, sitting in dead last place in the conference, are a mere 9 points out of the final playoff spot. Nine points! That’s only four wins and an overtime loss out of the picture. Their overall record: five games under .500. Not great, but certainly not too shabby.

Take the Buffalo Sabres who, two weeks ago, were in 14^th place in the conference (out of 15 teams) while in the midst of a 1-7-5 slump. They then played 10 games in a row where they earned at least one point, whether it was via a win or an overtime/shootout loss. That streak propelled the Sabres up to 7^th place in the standings, meaning they leapfrogged 6 other teams in three weeks. That’s how tight the East is. They now sit in 8^th.

The Ottawa Senators got off to a blistering start to the season and, after the first month, it appeared as if they would be the East’s version of the Red Wings. However, just the other day, the New Jersey Devils won a game that put them into a tie atop the conference. Now, we have ourselves a whole new ballgame (or hockey game). The Montreal Canadiens and Pittsburgh Penguins are also nipping at the heels of the Senators. Right now, the Devils trail Ottawa by one point, Pittsburgh is two out, and Montreal is just three points shy of Ottawa. A mini winning streak by any team can turn the playoff race in the East upside down.

But, by no means do the top eight teams in the conference have their spots locked. The Philadelphia Flyers, who were abysmal last season, sit just one point back of the 8^th place Sabres for the final playoff spot, as do the New York Islanders. The Washington Capitals and Florida Panthers are five points out, but keep in mind that the Caps have someone named Alexander Ovechkin on their side. Finally, the Toronto Maple Leafs, who have underperformed all season, sit just six points out of that final spot. A winning streak or a losing slide by any team means chaos in this race. Stay tuned.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

As already mentioned, the Detroit Red Wings are at the top of the NHL, with 89 points at the time of this article. Those 89 points are a full six over the second-place Dallas Stars. Six points more than second place! Remember, the #1 Senators in the East are 11 points ahead of the 10^th place New York Islanders! And this comes after the Wings’ recent six game losing streak…

The Wings, Dallas, the Minnesota Wild, and the Anaheim Ducks, make up seeds 1-4 in the West. While their point totals are closer than that of the Wings-Stars gap, the intrigue really lies in seeds 5-14 in the West, with only the last place L.A. Kings way out of the playoff picture.

The 5^th seeded San Jose Sharks have the same amount of points as the 8^th seeded Nashville Predators (they are placed fifth due to games in hand and head-to-head records). This means that the sixth and seventh place teams (the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames) also share the same amount of points. Just think…a win by the Predators propels them into 5^th place in the West; they pass three teams. The Chicago Blackhawks, seeded 13^th, are only four points behind the Predators for the final playoff spot. Plus, if you paid attention above, the Blackhawks are really just four points behind the 5^th seeded Sharks, due to the fact that seeds 5-8 all have the same amount of points. Nine teams (that’s right…nine teams) ranging from the 5^th seeded sharks to the 13^th seeded Blackhawks are separated by a mere eight points.

Yes, both the Eastern and Western Conferences have exciting playoff races ahead. The key to remaining in the playoff pictures or fighting your way in obviously relies on fundamentals: strong play at both ends and stellar play from your goaltender. Strength of schedule also figures in when we get down to the final weeks of the season.

These will be intense races down the stretch…it’s just a shame no one is watching.

In his first two games with the Miami Heat, Shawn Marion has proved that no matter where he goes, he will always be “The Matrix”. Putting up 15 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks the first game, and 23 points and 18 rebounds the next, Marion has made all the personnel in Miami very relieved about making the decision to trade one of the NBA’s greatest centers of all time and Top 50 player, Shaquille O’Neal. Despite losing both games, he was outstanding, as expected, and also allowed his teammates to get their shots and improve their numbers. Dorell Wright played well in both games, as did Mark Blount, and, of course… D. Wade is D. Wade.

But it wasn’t and won’t be enough. If the Heat decide to keep Marion, and I think they should, they will need to continue revamping and improve the roster; especially at the Center and Point guard positions. Blount has held his own offensively, and has provided Miami with a good finisher for the penetrate and kick, but, as I’m sure you already know, he is notorious for being the worst rebounding big man probably ever since James Naismith invented the great game. They either need to trade him, or find a better big man that will grab boards and block shots, and let him come in off the bench. At the quarterback, aka the point guard, the Heat desperately need a level-headed, pass-first, veteran to run their offense. Although I’m a big White Chocolate (Jason Williams) fan, I don’t believe he has what it takes to warm up Miami and restore them as a championship calibur team. Trading him and Ricky Davis would be another gigantic step towards their improvement.

I do expect the Heat to start winning more games just by having a healthy Shawn Marion instead of an injured Shaq, but until they make some more roster changes they won’t pose as a threat to the top teams in the East. When Udonis Haslem returns from injury it will give them a better idea of where they stand, and what changes should be made for next season.

Here are some of the top Centers and Point Guards who will be free agents after this season. (restricted and unrestricted) 

Centers
Emeka Okafor, Desagana Diop, Andris Biedrins, Jermaine O’Neal, Elton Brand, Nenad Krstic, Francisco Elson, and Kurt Thomas.

Point Guards
Tony Allen, Earl Boykins, Chris Duhon, Daniel Gibson, Jose Juan Barea, Monta Ellis, Baron Davis, Shaun Livingston, Sam Cassell, Juan Carlos Navarro, Sebastian Telfair, Jannero Pargo, Stephon Marbury, Carlos Arroyo, Louis Williams, Beno Udrih, Delonte West, Jose Calderon, Roger Mason, and Gilbert Arenas.

Who would you like to see in a Heat jersey? Who do you think gives them the best chance at being a contender?

Sources/Stats provided by Yahoo! Sports and NBA.com

The 2008 MLB players of tomorrow should not disappoint. Here is a list of players to watch or possibly pick up in this year’s baseball leagues:

C: Geovany Soto, Matt Wieters, J.R. Towles, Jeff Clement, Gaby Sanchez

1B: Daric Barton, Steven Pearce, Joey Votto, Chris Marrero, Lars Anserson

2B: Matt Antonelli, Jayson Nix, Asdrubal Cabrera, Emilio Bonifacio, Travis Denker

3B: Evan Longoria, Angel Villalona, Josh Vitters, Andy LaRoche, Chase Headley

SS: Reid Brignac, Elvis Andrus, Brent Lillibridge, Jed Lowrie, Sean Rodriguez

OF: Cameron Maybin, Kosuke Fukudome, Adam Jones, Colby Rasmus, Jay Bruce

SP: Clay Buchholtz, Rick Porcello, Carlos Carrasco, Johnny Cueto, Jarrod Parker

RP: Brian Wilson, Kazuo Fukumori , Craig Hansen, Joey Devine, Jacob McGee

*Keep in mind players are always making strides to make the show. Here are some other sites to track the progress of these players, as well as, others:

http://www.scoutingbook.com/

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=7092

http://www.projectprospect.com/ranking-archives/

http://profantasybaseball.com/

http://www.sportfanatics.net/SportFanatics.htm

http://fantasybaseball.usatoday.com/content/homesport.asp?sport=MLB

http://msn.foxsports.com/fantasy/story/7691564

Spring Training is just around the corner!!!!

As the Miami Heat anxiously await the arrival of superstar Shawn Marion and point guard Marcus Banks, they’ve recently received another sign of good fortune. Although being amidst a 6 game losing streak, Dorell Wright has validated himself as a worthy contributor on both sides of the floor. Wright, who has started in almost every game he’s played in this season, not only has the ability to put the ball in the hole, but can clean the glass as well. The 6’8 guard/forward has scored 47 points to go along with 26 rebounds in his last 3 games. He also registered 6 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks while shooting a perfect 17 for 17 from the foul line in that time span.

If you have the room, I definitely endorse picking him up. His numbers are notable right now, and should maintain with the addition of great passers in Marion and Banks. Marion does play the forward, and will take away from Wright’s shots and minutes once Udonis Haslem returns, but Dorell will still be a viable option for 6th man along with Ricky Davis; leaving him with considerable value. With Shaq gone and Zo hurt, it will be important for Mark Blount and Earl Barron to be dependable finishers in order to open up what could be a solid offense.

Sources/Stats provided by Yahoo! Sports and Nba.com

The depleted Chicago Bulls won a tough road game last night against the Golden State Warriors, 114-108. The Bulls, playing without starters Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich, and Ben Gordon, also had to matchup against the hometown crowd’s excitement over their newest addition, veteran Chris Webber. Many of the Bulls stepped up to the plate, but no one rose to the occasion more than 4 year back-up point guard, Chris Duhon.

Duhon had a career night, scoring 34 points on 11 of 16 shooting (4 for 6 from downtown). He also dished out 9 assists, had 3 steals, and grabbed 2 boards, while only committing 3 turnovers. Now, considering he hasn’t ever been much of a fantasy standout, or a consistent player in general, it’s hard for me to recommend this pickup. But with the recent injuries of Hinrich and Gordon, and Duhon having a night like this, I’d say pick him up if you can afford a drop and hope that this is the start of a streak; at least for the short term.

Tyrus Thomas also performed when his number was called, recording 15 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocked shots (most of which came in the 4th quarter). Thomas’ minutes still fluctuate heavily, so I don’t suggest picking him up just yet. But keep watching his progress because, with his athleticism, he could eventually be a stable fit in Chicago’s offense and defense.

Sources/Stats provided by Yahoo! Sports and Nba.com

Pau Gasol is now an Los Angeles Laker. Will this deal make him more valuable? Less valuable? Or as valuable?  Only time will tell, but I do not see his value increasing. I expect Gasol to get 16-18 points around 8 boards and 1-2 blocks a night. I also see his assists at 4 a game because of the triangle offense that the Lakers use.  However, if Andrew Bynum can not return because of his dislocated knee cap, expect even bigger numbers from Gasol. And, in the event that Lamar Odom goes down, and history says he will, Gasol because a fantasy stud all over again.

Gasol’s trade to the Lakers helps Rudy Gay and Mike Miller out tremendously. The Grizzlies dealt Gasol so they could become more like the Suns and run that up-tempo, high scoring, high octane offense. So expect increased numbers from those two.

Lamar Odom’s numbers should decrease a little as well as Bynum’s. I can also see a decrease in Kobe Bryant’s numbers as well…there is way too much fire power on the Lakers now.

Sources/Stats provided by Yahoo Sports and ChinaDaily.com

Enough Said

Source: Yahoo Sports!

The New York Giants are 12 point underdogs against the New England Patriots for tonight’s Super Bowl at 6:20 PM ET. Mrs. Fantasy selects the New York Giants with the points. I believe that the Giants will lose, but it will be within the spread of 12 points. Go Giants!

Sources/Stats provided by fremontdie.com.

Last night against the Detroit Pistons, Kobe Bryant had himself a game. Bryant had 39 points, 10 rebounds and 11 TURNOVERS. If you can look past the turnovers, as you should, this was another great night for Kobe. He pretty much did everything; he added two 3 pointers, 5 assists, 1 block and 2 steals. It looks like without Andrew Bynum, Kobe does not trust his teammates, nor should he.

You should expect numbers like this on the regular for number 24 until Bynum returns. Expect over 30 points a game, 6 rebounds and 6 assists…hopefully not over 4 turnovers, but you never know with Bryant, who is always trying to impress. Have no worries, he will continue to play well.

Sources/Stats provided by NBA.com and ViewImages.com.

2008 EASTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STARS

Head Coach: Doc Rivers (Boston)
Assistant Coaches: Armond Hill (Boston), Kevin Eastman (Boston), Clifford Ray (Boston), Tom Thibodeau (Boston)
Athletic Trainer: Tim Walsh (New Jersey)

2008 WESTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STARS

Sources/Stats provided by NBA.com