Eastern Promising: The 93 Point Dash To The NHL Playoffs

(Photo via washingtonpost.com)

93. This is the magic number for all NHL clubs. This has been, in recent seasons, the average number of points needed to get access to the second season. Most teams have about 10 games left to play and, in my view, this is one of the most exciting times as a hockey fan. The playoffs are tops in any fans heart, but the lead up to the first round is where winners and losers are made.

The Race In The East

HBO's 24/7 Is Back: Road to The NHL Winter Classic Featuring the Flyers and Rangers

(Photo via buzzonbroad.com)

For the second year in a row, the NHL and HBO are offering the very excellent 24/7, which chronicles the lead up to the Winter Classic in the City of Brotherly Love on New Year's Day. The Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Rangers are the featured teams this season. There are some interesting storylines developing for each side with Giroux's concussion (I said it before, but this really sucks for my pool...and the Flyers too) and Avery's yearning for male modeling.

Here is the complete schedule for 24/7 - Flyers and Rangers:

Episode 1 - Dec. 17 -6:00PM ET / MT (replay)

Episode 2 - Dec. 21 -10:01PM ET / MT

Episode 3 - Dec. 28 -10:00PM ET / MT

Episode 4 - Jan. 5 -10:00PM ET / MT

If you have TMN/HBO On Demand, you won't have to be a slave to this schedule as they post the episodes fairly quickly.

I won't divulge anymore information about the first episode because you need to experience it for yourself. The NHL doesn't give its fans this level of access often, so please take advantage of this beautifully produced mini series...and John Tortorella is the shit. Scratch everything I said. Watch it to witness Torts unleashed behind the scenes. Watching him go off on Gaborik during a game was priceless.

If you're still not convinced, here's the sneak peak:

 

-Paqman

Introducing The 2011 NHL All-Concussion Team

There's always plenty of injuries during the course of an NHL season. It's a tough game that's played at blazing high speeds. If you're following hockey this year, the injury du jour is the concussion. With that said, here's your 2011 NHL All-Concussion Team:

Center

 87 - Sidney Crosby - Pittsburgh Penguins

It's Not Broken...So Let's Fix It: NHL's Board of Governors Overhauls Conference Configuration, Eliminates Divisions

(Photo via thehockeynews.com)

What the fuck? What the mother fuckin' fuck, god damnit! (My apologies to all of our young readers) That was my reaction regarding the NHL's Board of Governors approving the new realignment for the 2012-13 season. Here's what it might look like:

Best Cameo on Entourage So Far This Season?

Did anyone else catch the Dan Carcillo jersey hanging in Scotty Lavin's office in a scene from the "Out With a Bang" episode of Entourage this season?

photo via the700level.com

Carcillo's been getting a lot of pub as a result of his "cameo".  He's been poppin off lately not only about his appearance on the show, but also about his recent free-agent signing with the Chicago Blackhawks this offseason.  Carcillo went as far as to call out Vancouver players Maxim Lapierre, Tanner Glass, and Raffi Torres ... Little did he know that both Glass and Torres are no longer with the Canucks.

But wait!  Apparently this is not the first time that Dan Carcillo has shown up on Entourage!  Click HERE to see when he previously appeared on the show.

-Turnbull

Bruins vs Flyers - NHL Playoffs - Eastern Conference Semi-Final

This is it! 1,230 games have been completed and the 2nd season begins. 16 teams participate and 1 will hoist the most coveted trophy in professional sports: the Stanley Cup. This is one of the toughest tournaments in the world and P&B will be your round by round guide.

Chara clears the pucks passed a forechecking Giroux (Photo via zimbio.com)

2

VS

3

2011 Season Series:

Boston won 3-1

What's the story?:

The Bruins battled back from a 2-0 hole against the Habs to win a la dramatique in a game 7 overtime classic.

Where Legends are Made : NHL Playoffs - Eastern Conference - Round 1

This is it! 1,230 games have been completed and the 2nd season begins. 16 teams participate and 1 will hoist the most coveted trophy in professional sports: the Stanley Cup. This is one of the toughest tournaments in the world and P&B will be your round by round guide.

(photo via imageshack)

1

VS

8

2011 Season Series:

New York won 3-1

What's the Story?:

The Rangers barely squeaked into the 8th seed thanks to Carolina's inability to capitalize in game #82.