Hockey, of course, is a team game. History has shown us that above all else, the best teams are the ones that play together in a figurative sense. You can have a red hot goalie (Jaroslav Halak, circa 2009-10), or the most skilled player on the ice (Alex Ovechkin), but almost always, the best team wins.

With that contingency out of the way, there's something to be said for individual moments of brilliance, those quick bursts of skill that can put your team over the proverbial hump and win a game in an instant. And so, we'll take a look at two of the players in this series imminently capable of doing so. It doesn't hurt that they'll likely see a lot of each other as the series goes on.

Continue reading this post »

In advance of the Preds' series with the Detroit Red Wings, OtF will be taking a look at three Red Wings who fly under the radar but could have a large impact on the series. First up: Darren Helm

At this point, as shocking as it is, you are probably aware that the Nashville Predators head into the playoffs with the best power play in all the land. It has the potential to play a major role in the series, and if the Wings (especially Todd Bertuzzi or Justin Abdelkader) are undisciplined, Detroit could be in for some long nights. The Red Wings' penalty kill finished 18th at 81.8%, but they do have somewhat of an ace in the hole: lightning quick penalty killer Darren Helm.

Darren Helm

#43 / Center / Detroit Red Wings

Height: 5-11

Weight: 195

Born: Jan 21, 1987

After the jump, see a scouting report on Helm, and perspectives on how he changes games from a few folks who cover the Wings.

Continue reading this post »

As it becomes more and more apparent that the Nashville Predators' prodigal son may well return to the NHL in short order (today? tomorrow?), the whining from certain sectors of the league is growing louder. The most outspoken? Contingents from Vancouver, Detroit, and St. Louis.

In Vancouver's case, it's the players. Up in Detroit, the fans are throwing a fit, and in St. Louis, the general manager is displeased. If you're not noticing a pattern, I'll help - these are the three teams in the West that have more points than Nashville.

Continue reading this post »

Well, that was weird. The Nashville Predators needed two points tonight to keep pace with the St. Louis Blues, but fell just short, as they couldn't quite complete the comeback against the Los Angeles Kings despite Patric Hornqvist reaching the 20 goal plateau for the 3rd straight year with two tonight.

Hornqvist said during the first intermission that (paraphrasing) there "were no fluky goals", and to some extent, he has a point - but there were definitely some odd ones. Let's recount:

• Justin Williams scored from nearly behind the net when he flung it toward Pekka Rinne. It slipped through Rinne's five hole and was kicked in by his pad. Oops.
• Williams picked up a second when the puck came out of a scrum, off his foot, and in. Needless to say, it wasn't Pekka's night.
• Finally, Hornqvist had a semi-breakaway late in the third, and his deke didn't work, but putting it off Jonathan Quick's pad, back off the toe of Hornqvist's skate, and over Quick's shoulder to bring the Preds within one did. Like I said, weird game.

Granted, it's difficult for Nashville to win when Rinne has a bad game and gets pulled, but the skaters were extra sloppy in all zones tonight, allowing the Kings the time and space necessary to get the chances needed. The Erat/Fisher/Kostitsyn line played well, however, accounting for two goals, while Ryan Ellis looked fairly solid in his return from illness.

Shane O'Brien and the Avs come to town Thursday night, in a game which the Preds can ill-afford to lose with Detroit waiting on Saturday.

Yeah, tonight's score was close, but it really shouldn't have been. Let's hope Nashville learned their lesson and can employ changes against Colorado.

One more thing - some fans have been clamoring for Jordin Tootoo to watch a game or two from the press box. After tonight, they may get their wish - Tootoo shoved the linesman in the back after an altercation with Matt Greene, and I wouldn't be surprised if he is at least fined by the league. You simply do not touch an official.

NOTE: puck drops tonight at 6:00 PM CST

Tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Nashville Predators introduce their newest acquisitions to the lineup: center Paul Gaustad, and wing Andrei Kostitsyn. These players, Gaustad particularly, will be expected to contribute immediately. These were not moves made with the hope of Nashville winning a round - team management believes this team, as now constructed, is poised to go far.

Besides that, however, the Preds are four points back of St. Louis and Detroit for the Central Division lead. The next two games are against teams from the weakest division in the NHL, and represent four points. No team in the league is truly an easy out, but contests against Carolina and Florida might not be as physically demanding as say, the Canucks or Blues, and the Predators would do well not take their foot off the pedal.

Josh Cooper reported this morning that fog delayed Nashville's flight, so it doesn't appear they've taken their morning skate, meaning we won't know where Gaustad and Andrei Kostitsyn will line up tonight, or if Ryan Ellis will be in for Jack Hillen.

In the mean time, here's how the Canes and Preds stack up against each other, via NHL.com:

For the Carolina perspective, check out Canes Country.

The Nashville Predators got back in the win column this afternoon against the Calgary Flames, winning 2-0 at the Scotiabank Saddledome. There were more than a few rough patches, such as posting a donut on the power play, or only registering 14 shots to the Flames' 33, but Pekka Rinne earned the shutout, and Niclas Bergfors' first goal with the team was also the winner. 

More thoughts after the jump. 

Continue reading this post »

Tragedy had struck the National Hockey League twice this summer in near unbelievable fashion with the deaths of Derek Boogaard and Rick Rypien. 

Today, it struck again. Retired Nashville Predators enforcer Wade Belak was found dead in a Toronto hotel this afternoon at the age of 35. 

Per the Toronto Sun (first reported by the Calgary Sun), and confirmed by the Predators: 

Former Toronto Maple Leafs tough guy Wade Belak was found dead in a Toronto hotel Wednesday.

The 35-year-old from Saskatoon was found in the tony 1 King West hotel and condo residence.

The cause of death is unknown, and honestly, unimportant. Speculation can only be unproductive and disrespectful.

We'll have much more on this, but the news is, quite frankly, stunning, and it leaves me at a total loss for words.

Wade Belak was an integral member of the organization and will be horribly missed. He was approachable in the locker room, active in the community, and l doubt you'll ever find a funnier NHL player. "Beeler" had provided color commentary on multiple radio broadcasts with Tom Callahan, and was set to begin his own radio show on 102.5 the Game.

He leaves behind a wife and two daughters. 

Rest in peace, Wade. 

With the 52nd pick in the 2011 NHL Draft, the Nashville Predators selected Miikka Salomaki, a right wing from the Finnish Elite League. Salomaki is just 18, and was ranked as the 7th best European skater heading into the draft. Standing 5'11, he is considered more of a two-way player. Per SB Nation's Blue Jackets affiliate The Cannon: 

Miika Salomäki isn't going to remind anyone of a prolific scorer, but he plays a decent two-way game at a young age. He made the jump to FInland's SM-liiga at just 17, and put up respectable numbers for his age. Central Scouting has him ranked as the 7th European skater heading into the draft. Salomäki isn't a big kid, and will need some seasoning both back in Finland and in the AHL before he's considered an NHL prospect, but he's a solid skater who plays hard each and every shift.

At this point of the draft, almost all the prospects are three or four years away from NHL action, and this is no exception. The Predators likely picked who they thought was the best player available, nothing more. 

Matchsticks & Gasoline also has a profile piece on Salomaki available for you.

Here are some video highlights of Salomaki's game: 

With the season now over, it's time to take a look back and examine each player's individual performance. We'll briefly break it down, and then offer a letter grade for the year. It's report cards, Nashville Predators-style, from Blum to Wilson. Next up: Chris Mueller

The Skinny: Before training camp began, I had no idea who Chris Mueller was. An ECHL veteran and Milwaukee Admirals playoff performer, Mueller received an invitation to Preds camp, but was without an NHL contract and began the year in the AHL with Milwaukee, where he was a standout player for much of the year, including the playoffs. 

With all of Matthew Lombardi, David Legwand, Marcel Goc, and Cal O`Reilly being injured at various points during the year, the Predators' center depth was decimated, and David Poile's hand was forced - he signed Mueller to a one year, two-way deal worth $500,000, and he was immediately recalled on December 27.

The Performance: Mueller played in 15 games (coincidentally, our cut-off point for these report cards), notching 3 assists while averaging 8:38 minutes played per game, predominantly on the fourth line with J.P. Dumont and Matt Halischuk. His season's high point was undoubtedly his January 18th performance against Phoenix, where he played a season high 12:29 and assisted on two of Dumont's hat trick goals. 

The Grade: Due to anonymity and being an unknown commodity, its hard to say what the expectations for Mueller were. That said, he was recalled to fill the fourth line center position, so one would've hoped for a serviceable effort at the task. In fifteen games, Chris Mueller's play was that of a serviceable fourth line center, so he gets a B.  I assume that the Predators will tender him a qualifying offer, but I would not expect to see him in Nashville much next year, if at all.

With the season now over, it's time to take a look back and examine each player's individual performance. We'll briefly break it down, and then offer a letter grade for the year. It's report cards, Nashville Predators-style, from Blum to Wilson. Next up: Patric Hornqvist.

Patric Hornqvist

#27 / Right Wing / Nashville Predators

Height: 5-11

Weight: 188

Born: Jan 01, 1987

The Skinny: Patric Hornqvist burst onto the scene in 2009-10, leading the Predators in goals with an even 30, which led to significantly raised expectations, even though he only had one productive season under his belt. David Poile was able to re-sign the restricted free agent to a deal that at the time was considered a good one, and still may be. Patric Hornqvist headed into training camp this season with the expectation of leading Nashville in goals once again and hopefully surpassing his previous year's total. 

The reason Hornqvist's success seems to be easily replicated is because he shoots the puck with reckless abandon, whereas a player like Sergei Kostitsyn relied on an unrealistically high shooting percentage. 

The Performance: Unfortunately, Patric Hornqvist regressed, scoring nine fewer goals while only taking ten fewer shots on the year. His assist total increased, but he was unable to find the back of the net over extended periods, and one wonders how much of an impact an improved performance from Hornqvist could've had on the Predators' regular season standing. Hornqvist's playoff production was even worse, which, in my opinion, crippled Nashville's chances of advancing to the Western Conference finals. 

The Grade: Keep in mind that these grades are being awarded on a curve, or relative to expectations. For Hornqvist, we had this to say before the season started: 

In short - to prove that last year was not an aberration, but the beginning of the norm. If he does not score at least 25 or 30 goals again, then the coaching staff (and fans) will have reason to be disappointed. By giving him a 3 year deal, David Poile took a leap of faith. Its up to Patric to reward him.    

In sum, I'd have to consider Patric Hornqvist's 2010-11 a disappointment. Thankfully, Hornqvist has developed into an effective agitator, so he was never completely ineffective, but put simply, the Predators did not get what they needed out of someone expected to be perhaps the top winger on the team. C for the Horn Dog. 

With the season now over, it's time to take a look back and examine each player's individual performance. We'll briefly break it down, and then offer a letter grade for the year. It's report cards, Nashville Predators-style, from Blum to Wilson. Next up: Cody Franson.

Cody Franson

#4 / Defenseman / Nashville Predators

Height: 6-5

Weight: 213

Born: Aug 08, 1987

The Skinny: Cody Franson burst onto the scene last season, assuming a minor role at even strength but a very important one on the power play. Expected to progress this year, Franson did so, finishing 49th in the NHL in scoring by a defenseman, which for a player who is highly protected at even strength, is impressive, particularly when paired with Shane O`Brien for most of the year. A 5th defenseman any team would covet, Cody Franson is only going to improve.

The Performance: Franson put up 29 points while skating just 15:10 per game on the third pairing with O'Brien, so in a sense, he had an excellent year, and one that continued in the playoffs. That said, Nashville's power play was consistently awful, so Franson must take a small measure of responsibility for that, and there's a reason Barry Trotz feels the need to protect him during 5-on-5 play - Franson's not yet someone you feel comfortable trusting defensively in crucial situations. 

The Grade: In all, you'd have to consider Cody Franson's 2010-11 season a success. The offensive contributions alone would make the grade, but Franson upped his game during the postseason, and provided one of the year's most memorable moments with a Bobby Orr-esque tally against Dan Ellis and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Franson earns a solid B here, with an eye towards a promising future. 

With the season now over, it's time to take a look back and examine each player's individual performance. We'll briefly break it down, and then offer a letter grade for the year. It's report cards, Nashville Predators-style, from Blum to Wilson. Next up: Francis Bouillon.

Francis Bouillon

#51 / Defenseman / Nashville Predators

Height: 5-8

Weight: 198

Born: Oct 17, 1975

Contract: $1,350,000, UFA after 2011-12

The Skinny: Expected to be the fourth defenseman on the depth chart, Bouillon was largely paired with Kevin Klein until his mid-season injury, which kept him out of the lineup for the remainder of the year. "The Cube" is on an economical deal, but I do wonder if the ascension of Jonathon Blum and the rise of Ryan Ellis and Roman Josi will leave him on the outside looking in at times next season.  

The Performance: Solid, but unspectacular. I had hoped for more out of Bouillon, but a combination of increased responsibilities with the loss of Dan Hamhuis and a severe lack of chemistry with Kevin Klein led to some unnecessary adventures in the defensive zone. On the other hand, Bouillon was awarded an alternate captain's letter when Martin Erat and Steve Sullivan were injured, in addition to taking Ryan Suter's spot alongside Shea Weber when Suter was injured. 

The Grade: While I do feel that Bouillon had a sub-par year, it'd be unfair if we didn't look at the surrounding circumstances - he played some tough penalty kill minutes and was placed in a role for which he is not really suited. Bouillon's best with third pair duties, which he'll hopefully be able to get back to in 2011-12. In the end, I'll give Frankie a C, but I could just as easily go with B. What do you think? 

With the season now over, it's time to take a look back and examine each player's individual performance. We'll briefly break it down, and then offer a letter grade for the year. It's report cards, Nashville Predators-style, from Blum to Wilson. First up: Jonathon Blum.

Jonathon Blum

#7 / Defenseman / Nashville Predators

Height: 6-1

Weight: 178

Born: Jan 30, 1989

Contract: $941,667 until 2011-12 (RFA)

The Skinny: Considered by many to be the top prospect in the organization, Jon Blum was not expected to see much, if any, playing time in 2010-11. The reports out of Milwaukee were not all that encouraging, as Blum apparently struggled to adjust to defending the many stronger and faster forwards.

Francis Bouillon went down with a concussion, though, and Nashville gave Blum the call over the more experienced Teemu Laakso or Aaron Johnson. 

The Performance: Blum played in 23 regular season games, being paired predominantly with Kevin Klein. I don't think it was any coincidence that Klein's play improved significantly when paired with Blum as opposed to Bouillon. Blum immediately found a place on the 2nd power play unit, and seemed perfectly at home in all situations. Overmatched? Hardly. The hype was legit.

The Grade: It was an abbreviated year for Jonathon Blum, but one that thoroughly exceeded my expectations. Just 21, Blum has already offset, somewhat, the loss of Dan Hamhuis and is a player I expect to see in the Music City for a long time. He'll be eligible for the Calder Trophy next season, and I fully expect him to mount a campaign for the award. Under the circumstances, Blum gets an A. What say you?  

Sigh.

I wasn't ready for it to end tonight, but end it did. The Nashville Predators were eliminated from the 2010-11 NHL playoffs by the Vancouver Canucks, losing in the Western Conference semifinals that the Canucks won 4 games to 2. 

There are many ways to characterize the year, and the playoff run, but Barry Trotz's catchphrase returns to mind once again: resilience. That's what this short on offensive talent but long on heart team has in spades, and that, friends, can't be said of many other NHL teams. 

Further reaction can be found after the jump. To congratulate the Canucks, head on over to Nucks Misconduct.

Continue reading this post »

Yes, it's over. But boy, what a ride that was. Chins up, Predators fans - the future's bright and history's been made. 

Virtual handshake to Vancouver fans, who have been the picture of graciousness over the past six games.

This, ladies and gentlemen, is it. Score two or go home.

[NHL.com] - [SB Nation] - [Nucks Misconduct]

7:00 PM CDT | Versus (HD) - CBC (HD) - RDS (HD) | 102.9 FM

It took ten games, but we've finally arrived. The Nashville Predators are staring elimination in the face for the first time in the 2010-11 NHL playoffs, and she's a pretty ugly beast - Nashville's 0-5 all-time in elimination games, having been outscored 15-6 and shut out twice. 

That, of course, was then. This is now, and we've seen that, by and large, this incarnation of the Nashville Predators is better than all of its predecessors. After all, they have a series win under their belt, in addition to icing a Norris Trophy nominee, Vezina Trophy nominee, and boasting a two-time Jack Adams Trophy nominee behind the bench. In short: there's more reason for belief than in years past. 

That said, the task is daunting. Nashville has strayed from what got them to this point, and fallen in a 3-1 hole to the Vancouver Canucks. Credit is certainly due to Vancouver, who's played an outstanding series, particularly Ryan Kesler, but the Preds are clearly off their game. They must now play it, and perfectly, for three consecutive games. 

Tonight's just one game, however, and winning one game's not so tall an order. One win is the difference between handshakes and golf, or returning to Nashville for a Game 6 needing just two wins to make further history. 

Regardless of tonight's result, Nashville Predators fans can hold their heads high. It's been an amazing year.

I'd hold off on those eulogies, though. There's some life left in this team.

Lineups after the jump. 

Continue reading this post »

I see you. 

You have seen the Nashville Predators' 3-1 series deficit to the Vancouver Canucks, and you believe the Preds to be done. Sunk. Gonzo. I mean, after all - they're going up against the President's Trophy winners, that team from Canada that ices the freakin' Sedin twins. Mission impossible, right? 

Wrong. For an average team, the ground may well be too much to make up. If we've learned anything this year, though, it's that the 2010-11 Nashville Predators are not an average team. 

An average team would've folded like a cheap suit in the regular season with as many crucial injuries as the Preds have. 

An average team doesn't ice the game's best goalie and defensive pairing. 

An average team doesn't win their first ever playoff series in rather convincing fashion. 

An average team doesn't go into the postseason and score with less than two minutes left in regulation to win the game in overtime. Twice. 

The Nashville Predators must win three games in a row. Daunting? Yes. Impossible? Not by a long shot. Not only have the Preds beaten the Canucks three times already this year, but, over the course of 82 games, they won three or more games consecutively five times. One of those stretches involved beating the Ducks, Kings, and Sharks - all playoff teams - and in another, they defeated the Bruins, Red Wings, and Sabres, also all playoff teams. 

I won't sit here and tell you that a comeback is likely, because it really isn't. But know this - it ain't over until they say it's over, and ruling out a team with as much heart as Nashville would be a fool's errand. 

The portly woman is not yet singing. Go Preds.

After Steve Sullivan sustained a lower-body injury during Game 3 of the Nashville Predators' semifinal series with the Vancovuer Canucks, David Boclair of the Nashville City Paper reports that he will be out of the lineup for Game 4: 

The Nashville Predators coach said Wednesday that veteran left wing Steve Sullivan will miss Game 4 of his team's Western Conference semifinal series with the Vancouver Canucks (7:30 p.m., Bridgestone Arena) because of a lower body injury sustained in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime defeat.    

Barry Trotz has two options available to him, or perhaps three depending upon Cal O`Reilly's health. J.P. Dumont and Colin Wilson each played a considerable amount in the regular season, and Wilson in particular made an impact on the roster on the offensive end of the ice. 

Dumont played the final two games of the Anaheim series, recording one assist, but it sounds as if Trotz is leaning more towards utilizing Wilson, a topic which we delved into in detail a few days ago. Via Boclair: 

"[Wilson] is ready," Trotz said. "... I feel he's ready for the series now. ... His play at the end of the year wasn't where I expected it to be. He didn't start the first series and no one allowed him to get into the first series because everyone played pretty well.    

There's much more in the article, which I recommend you check out, but my question for you is this: with Sullivan out of the lineup, who should Barry Trotz insert - Colin Wilson or J.P. Dumont?

On a night when the Nashville Predators played their first ever home game in the second round of the NHL playoffs, in front of hordes of national media, with a chance to take a series lead over the presumptive Stanley Cup favorites, they decided to forgo the first two periods of the hockey game, and subsequently fall in overtime 3-2 to the Vancouver Canucks.

It was a game that the Predators hung around in far longer than they should have, but also had plenty of chances to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. It's not over by a long shot - Nashville fought back to tie the game late in the third - but frustration now reigns. 

David Legwand and Joel Ward scored for Nashville, while Pekka Rinne made 44 saves in the loss.

Continue reading this post »

Not again...

The bright side is...the Preds will have a lot of energy heading into the third? 

1-1, 20 minutes or more to go.

Not the cleanest of periods, but it doesn't matter - Nashville gets out unscathed behind Pekka Rinne and a shorthanded goal from David Legwand.

[NHL.com] - [SB Nation] - [Nucks Misconduct] 

8:00 PM CDT | SportSouth (HD) - CBC (HD) | 102.9 FM

Not so very long ago, the Nashville Predators returned to Bridgestone Arena, tied with the Anaheim Ducks 1-1 in their Western Conference quarterfinal series. 

You know the rest.

That's not to say that the Anaheim series and this series with the Vancouver Canucks are similar, far from it - but heading into Game 3, the Preds have accomplished what they needed to. Home ice advantage is in their hands. Put it this way - if the Predators can win three games at home, they'll find themselves in the conference finals. 

Those home games begin tonight (note the special start time). In Game 2, Nashville rediscovered the game plan for beating Vancouver. The Predators' defensemen kept the shot totals down, giving up only 33 over 95 minutes, and they continued to neutralize the Canucks' big 3 of Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin, and Ryan Kesler. 

It would be foolish to think that Vancouver's offense can be completely contained over a seven game series. They'll score, and at times it will be often. Nashville, though, has beaten the Canucks three times this year. In those three wins, Vancouver's scored a whopping total of two goals. 

The moral of the story is this - the Canucks have some quality complimentary players in Mason Raymond, Chris Higgins, Alexandre Burrows, and occasionally Raffi Torres, but they are incapable of winning games on their own.

If the Predators can stymie the big 3 three more times, stay disciplined, defensively responsible, and add a fair amount of Pekka Rinne, then this is an extremely winnable series. It's a laundry list, to be sure, but this is a team that is making a habit out of defying the odds. Just ask Matt Halischuk. 

Five down. Time for the Nashville Predators to make it ten to go. 

Continue reading this post »

[NHL.com] - [SB Nation] - [Nucks Misconduct] 

8:00 PM CDT | Versus (HD) - CBC (HD) | 102.9 FM

It'd be easy to sit here and write about the many, many problems the Nashville Predators had in Game One against the Vancouver Canucks. Nobody decided to show up besides Pekka Rinne and Mike Fisher, and the results everywhere but the scoreboard (due only to Rinne's performance) made that very apparent. 

That said, the other side of the coin is this - they only lost by one goal, and it'd be nearly impossible for the team as a whole to play any worse than they did on Thursday night. There's room for improvement in every area, and a full 60 minutes will very likely do the job required to beat the Canucks and take home ice back to Nashville. 

As bad as the Predators were, the Canucks were just as good, and I doubt that they can bring the same type of performance two games in a row. If Nashville can shake the deer-in-the-headlights look and capitalize on the mistakes that are sure to come, they'll find themselves right back where they were in round one - headed back to Bridgestone Arena with a 1-1 split. 

"We win and lose as a group of 20 every night," Barry Trotz said on Thursday, and that's really what it will come down to tonight. The Canucks are too good for Nashville to stroll around and wait for some lucky bounces, but just ask the Anaheim Ducks what happens when all 20 Predators contribute. I expect we'll see more of the latter than the former tonight at Rogers Centre. 

While you're getting ready for the game, listen to a report from Preds' play-by-play man Pete Weber, on the scene yesterday in Vancouver (MP3):

Pete Weber 4-29-2011 

Continue reading this post »

During their first round series with the Anaheim Ducks, the Nashville Predators didn't make any lineup changes for any reason but injury, despite having multiple options available at the forward position.

After laying an egg at both ends of the ice last night against the Vancouver Canucks, however (which was arguably their worst performance of the playoffs), it may be time to take a look at some of the options lying in reserve - specifically second year forward Colin Wilson.

Colin Wilson

#33 / Center / Nashville Predators

Height: 6-1

Weight: 214

Born: Oct 20, 1989

Continue reading this post »

After two, it's 1-0 Canucks. After two, it should be 340495803-0. 

All hail Pekka Rinne.

Aaaaaaaaaaand exhale.

Somehow, we have a 0-0 game. Second period ahoy.

Yep, it's that time again. The second round of the 2011 NHL playoffs is set to get underway with Nashville and Vancouver playing their Game One tonight, so it's time for another round of predictions from the staff at On the Forecheck, excluding Sam, who is presumably busy watching Sergei Kostitsyn highlights. 

In place of Ryan (AdmiralsShortShifts), though, we've got JRTheBylineGrinder weighing in with his own predictions, because he 'won' the first round among users, while tying with Dirk for the overall lead. If you do the same, we'll include your picks for the conference finals.

After the jump, conference semifinal predictions from me, Dirk, Marc, and JR, who I'd highly recommend following on Twitter. 

Continue reading this post »