I hate to disappoint everyone, but the season coming to an end also means the injury report has come to an end as well. So today we say goodbye to the Injury Report for the summer, and say hello to my new segment, “Speaking Of!”

What is Speaking of? It’s whatever I want it to be. For example, Speaking of… Apple Cinnamon Cheerios. How’d you like if I wrote 1000 words ALL about Apple Cinammon Cheerios? I would like it, but unfortunately I don’t think my bosses would. If you have a [serious] suggestions on what I could talk about in this segment feel free to let me know. For now, I want to talk playoffs and how excited I am for them to start.

The beauty of having no Canadian teams in the playoffs this year is for once I can just sit back and enjoy some good playoff hockey without necessarily cheering for anyone. We all know what it’s like to cheer for someone in the playoffs. Life is stressful, grey hair gets pulled out, and a strain between you and your loved ones always arise. 

As you can see in my bracket above, I have the unbeatable Chicago Blackhawks winning the cup over Washington in the finals. Am I happy about it? No. Although it’s dreadfully impressive how good Chicago is AGAIN, I would rather see someone else win the cup. Too bad it won’t happen.

I was going to drop some serious math bombs on you guys, explaining why San Jose will upset the Kings, and Washington will stomp all over the Islanders using corsi and advanced, EXTRA long algebra. Then I remembered that it’s the playoffs – and anything can happen in the playoffs. Also, I remembered that I don’t know anything about advanced stats. I am more interested who YOU think is going to win the Stanley Cup, and why. So leave a comment below with your prediction, and also tell me why my picks suck – and also how much you’re looking forward to more of Speaking Of. For now, this is my subjective view of the first round of the playoffs. 

I feel like I shouldn’t have to justify my reasoning why Chicago is going to win their fourth cup in seven years. They’re big, they’re fast, they have some of the best-skilled combination of forwards in the world, and they have the experience. However, they will not have an easy ride. If anybody is beating Chicago this year, it will be St. Louis or Anaheim to do it.

Am I dumb for thinking San Jose has a chance to upset L.A in the first round? Yes. Have I lost all confidence in that pick since I made my NHL bracket? Kind of. But if there’s any team in these playoffs that feels the shittiest about their playoff performance history, it’s San Jose. This year they have the chops to give the Kings a run for their money. One thing I am looking forward to watching is the goaltending of San Jose. James Reimer has put up a 1.62 GAA and .938 S% with the Sharks since being traded from Toronto. Though Jones will likely get the start, I think we’ll be seeing a hot James Reimer jump in the crease if and when Jones’ play goes south.

The other upset I am predicting (I refuse to call Chicago over St. Louis an upset) is Detroit over Tampa Bay. Though the lightning have plenty of injured players coming back, I still think the long-term absence of Stamkos, Stralman, and [maybe] Tyler Johnson won’t be enough to beat the Wings. As far as I’m concerned though, the Atlantic Division is a crap-shoot, and anybody can come out of it. I am pulling for Florida, and I honestly think they can do it. They’re huge, physical, and a complete wildcard in a sense that we have no idea how they perform in the playoffs. It’s exciting times.

Unfortunately for Florida, that they won’t be able to make it through Washington in the Conference Finals, who will come out of the Metro division. I think this is Ovechkin and the rest of the Capital’s year to go all the way. These division games will be interesting, as I have Pittsburgh defeating the Rangers in 7 games. I think this will be one of the most intense series, only because Marc-Andre Fleury is out with a concussion. (He is skating though which means we could see his return mid-to-late first round.) If Fleury’s in net, I think the Penguins will be all over the Rangers, even with the absence of Malkin. They’re too hot right now not to be. Look out for all-star defenceman, Justin Schultz playing in his first ever playoff series though. He’s sure to do some damage against New York and he’s done very well in the last part of this season.

All-in-all, I am pulling for a Washington cup win this year. Even though I THINK Chicago will take it, it’s playoffs, and anything can happen. One thing I know for certain is that this year’s playoffs will be gritty and intense. I’m hoping for some upsets, and quadruple overtime games that don’t end until 2AM. Now it’s your turn, who do you have to win? 

This week the boys talk about the Yakupov trade request, gush over Patrick Maroon, talk about the NHL Email dump, the Jimmy Vesey drama and more. Then Chris tries to make Jeanshorts and Baggedmilk seem old by quizzing them on internet lingo before another educational edition of Ask The Idiots.

As always you can follow North x NorthGretz on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes!