Thoughts on the third round

Are we done yet?

I was going to present my third round predictions, but then I realized that a) I had nothing new, b) my picks do not have any bearing on logic, reason, or any of that good stuff, c) if I publicized them no one (I'm looking at you, Anaheim) will off Detroit for me. What's a girl gotta do to get a good dose of revenge 'round these parts?

So, I have two main realizations.

Ottawa vs Buffalo. Despite living in Leafsland, I've been exposed to this matchup too many times this year. Yeah, yeah, it's emotional after that one game earlier this year...but...they played each other eight times total. I can't pretend I'm too interested. Blame scheduling, blame Bettman, blame the onset of spring and my resulting apathy.

Anaheim vs Detroit. There is no reason Anaheim shouldn't win, right? So why did they play a shit game yesterday? I'm not going to make any other comment on this besides that every time I watch Detroit in action this year, they win another series.

And my conclusion? Well, there's a fantabulous world championships going on, Canada just advanced to the gold medal game, and Lombo is having a helluva coming-out party. I'm delighted for him, though a bit apprehensive about what this means for him and his full time gig.

I've believed steadily in his potential at least since he came back from injury in '05-06 - there's at least one guy out there who will still blame me bitterly for picking him up for fantasy hockey. I'm liking what I see of his defensive play as much as his much-vaunted charge-down-to-the-other-end offense - I just hope that the Flames front office can figure out how to use him the way Andy Murray clearly has.

So...go Canada, and let me know when we're into the last round....