My heart says Ottawa...my head says Anaheim.

I am 0 for 3 against Ottawa in this years playoffs. Those are my only wrong predictions. I think I know why I went against them too. I have no Sens in my playoff pool. As a matter of fact it was my intention to take some but it just didnt work out that way...when that happens you need to change your strategy. I liked Buffalo and Anaheim for the longest time and thought Buffalo would win in 7. Not because they were better but only because the past couple of seasons have shown us that Western teams run out of gas in the end. This year the crazy schedule saw Anaheim get 6 days off before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final....Ottawa got 9 days off. Its insane. ATTENTION GARY BETTMAN: I love Hockey....I can guarantee you, I love it more than you do. All that being said, hockey should not be played in the month of June. Either start the regular season 2 weeks earlier OR cut down divisional games for 8 to 6. That leaves you with a 74 game season. Neither will happen, but it should. Hockey played in June just doesnt make sense.

On the ice: I think its Anaheim year. I have always questioned the character and backbone of Spezza and Heatley. So far they have made me eat my words. But, this time around the challenge is particularly big. They will go up against PAHLSSON, R.NIEDERMAYER and T.MOEN; they're the best shutdown line in the league....not too mention PRONGER & S.NIEDERMAYER on D against them....these guys are 2 of the TOP 3 D-Men in the world....and should they make it past all of these guys they still have to beat JIGGY...who'se as hot as a firecracker right now in goal for Anaheim. The Sens will need their 2nd line to step up...I think they can BUT I love Anaheims 2nd line of Getzlaf-Perry and Penner...they can cycle like no other line can.

I will be in Ottawa covering game 4 and game 6 if necessary....Im pretty excited. Not everyday a reporter has the chance to work the Cup Game. Would be awesome if the series ends in 4 or 6 so I can be a part of it.

Ottawa has a great group of guys....its a terrific organization, they have an awesome locker room and an extremely sympathetic coach....My heart says Ottawa BUT I have liked Anaheim's team for the longest time. IMO, Anaheim has the best package of skill, size and grit.....Anaheim in 7.

Enjoy the Final everybody.

Sabres can thank Ryan Miller

Good to talk to you again....as you know my predictions for RD 3 were Buffalo in 7 and Anaheim in 7.....of course both are still possible.....but lets face it; it doesnt look good.

Anaheim has trouble scoring and have lost 1st liner Chris Kunitz.....to boot they have lost Chris Pronger for Game 4 and that wont help. I thought Pronger should be suspended....was somewhat surprised that the NHL indeed suspended him,,,,,but if the NHL wants to make a real statement they have to start making the punishments a lot heavier,,,,,one day; and hopefully that day never comes; someone will die on the ice.....at which point the NHL will wonder where it all went wrong.....start with longer suspensions and costlier ones....if u do that, players will think twice.

i was in ottawa last nite....the atmosphere was much better than game 3....but still not good enough....everyone was waiting to celebrate.....unfortunately for them it didnt happen.....but the Sens are playing so well right now that they can celebrate soon......as for The Scotia Bank Place, that arena is so quiet compared to The Bell Centre....here in Montreal the building is buzzing and rocking 20 mins before the game...in Ottawa, the most noise takes place when a fellow named Bobby Lalonde plays his violin or whatever instrument it is.....Stanley Cup Playoffs...Semi Finals...Game 4.....1 win away for a Stanley Cup Final.....and people only make noise for Bobby Lalonde.....r u kidding me? i mentionned this to a few people in Ottawa and they dont appreciate it....an Ottawa resident asked me last nite, ''How loud has The Bell Centre been lately?''....u know what, let them take shots at Montreal...they have suffered and waited a long time...its their turn.

i do want to take this opportinity to tip my hat to the entire Ottawa Senators Organization....the players and media have a tremendous relationship....its so laid back, it realy is a pleasure covering that team,....quick story: when Antoine Vermette was drafted, he was given a quick course on Relations with the Media....the course was given by Roy Mlakar (CEO of the Sens). Mlakar, told Vermette be good to the media, this is the way we do it in Ottawa,.....i hope the execs with the Montreal Canadiens read this.....trust me its nite and day.....

I have a lot of admiration for Sabres Goalie Ryan Miller. He continues to battle and give his team a chance.....this guy is an incredible goaltender.....i no longer like Buffalo's chances, but with Miller standing on his head,,,,,the Sabres and their fans can still believe.....this guy is that good.

Been a fun past 2 days....yesterday, Randy ''The Natural'' Couture, UFC Champion was in studio...today, we were visited by Sylvain Grenier of WWE and former Olympian Bruny Surin....It was great to have them; 3 stand up individuals.....its always nice having the guys visit us.

back on air tomorrow....im going to do some prep work now,.,,,watch the game tonite and talk to you tomorrow between 11am and 1pm. Ciao!

L'affaire Shane Doan and Previewing RD3

This past week I listened to the other guys on french radio and watched the show at 11pm, just to get a feel for what people were saying regarding the Shane Doan Affair. I cant believe all the garbage I heard. Take you back 17 months, 4 french officials are working the Phoenix-Montreal game at the Bell Centre. Midway thru the game, Ladislav Nagy refers to the officials as F'in Frenchmen. At which point, the refs say no more of this stuff or you're in trouble. Late in the game, Coyotes goaltender Curtis Joseph argues over a penalty; Shane Doan comes over and says ''Cuje, four french refs in Montreal....what do you expect?'' After the game, the NHL referee report states Shane Doan used the slur F'in Frenchmen. The slur, was indeed said; but Shane Doan didnt say it. Next thing you now, a bunch of clowns in The House of Commons are upset that Shane Doan was named Captain for Canada at The World Hockey Championships. I worked that Phoenix-Montreal game and a couple of months ago, I talked to Mike Johnson about it. Johnson, was on the ice for Phoenix at the time. Johnson is a straight arrow. He swore to me that someone did indeed say it; but it wasnt him nor was it Shane Doan. The guys know nothing about Shane Doan. The guy is as good as it gets. Its sad to see they are guestioning his character and bringing him down just for the sake of trying to get a few votes down the line. It was nice to see some NHLers from Quebec like Daniel Briere and Denis Gauthier state there was no way Doan would say such a thing. In the meantime, Im hoping for 3 things to come out of this. (#1) the guy who said it, stand up and admit it. (#2) shane doan gets a public apology. (#3) they talk about bettering education and healthcare at The House of Commons.

As for the NHL Playoffs, I went 3 for 4. Only mistake was NJ. Ottawa was clearly better....cant believe Ray Emery outgoaltended Martin Brodeur, but he did. Brodeur, let in many bad goals. Next year, the Devils should think twice about using the 35 year old as much as they do. Simply put, he seemed like a tired goalie down the stretch. Going into the playoffs, my prediction was Buffalo over Anaheim for the Cup. I wont sway away from that. Buffalo beats Ottawa in 7. And, Anaheim will down Detroit in 7 as well.

Some final words on Mayweather - De La Hoya. I am a huge De La Hoya fan. But, I disagree with those who think he should have earned at least a draw. Mayweather, landed a lot more and his defense was inpenetrable. A lot of people dont like Mayweather because he's arrogant and he doesnt get into wars in the ring. The bottom line is he boxed intelligently. Was Oscar De La Hoya the aggressor? Yes. But, the rounds arent scored on whose more aggressive; they are scored on who landed punches. I had it 116-112 Mayweather. And, yes..there'll be a rematch!

Enjoy RD 3 of the NHL Playoffs. Ciao for now.