sanders-sportspage.com

All the greats will be here for you to see in the conference semifinals for the NHL 2009 playoffs.  Players like Nicklas Backstrom, Roberto Luongo, Evgeni Malkin, Alexander Semin, Chris Pronger, Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Chad Larose, Ryan Getzlaf, and so many more.  You will not want to miss this series.

Here is the complete schedule for the Eastern and Western conference semifinals.  Don’t miss out on seeing some of the best that the NHL has to offer.

SERIES I	#1 vs. #6	NETWORK
Friday, May 1	at Boston, 7:30 p.m.	VERSUS (JIP), TSN
Sunday, May 3	at Boston, 7:30 p.m.	VERSUS, TSN
Wednesday, May 6	at Carolina, 7:30 p.m.	VERSUS (JIP), TSN
Friday, May 8	at Carolina, 7:30 p.m.	VERSUS (JIP), TSN
*Sunday, May 10	at Boston, 7:30 p.m.	VERSUS, TSN
*Tuesday, May 12	at Carolina, 7:00 p.m.	VERSUS, TSN
*Thursday, May 14	at Boston, TBD	TSN
SERIES J	#2 vs. #4	NETWORK
Saturday, May 2	at Washington, 1:00 p.m.	NBC, CBC, RDS
Monday, May 4	at Washington, 7:00 p.m.	VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Wednesday, May 6	at Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m.	VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Friday, May 8	at Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m.	VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Saturday, May 9	at Washington, 7:00 p.m.	VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Monday, May 11	at Pittsburgh, TBD	VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Wednesday, May 13	at Washington, 7:00 p.m.	VERSUS, CBC, RDS
SERIES K	#2 vs. #8	NETWORK
Friday, May 1	at Detroit, 7:00 p.m.	VERSUS, TSN2
Sunday, May 3	at Detroit, 2:00 p.m.	NBC, TSN
Tuesday, May 5	at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m.	VERSUS, TSN
Thursday, May 7	at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m.	VERSUS, TSN
*Sunday, May 10	at Detroit, 5:00 p.m.	TSN
*Tuesday, May 12	at Anaheim, TBD	VERSUS, TSN
*Thursday, May 14	at Detroit, TBD	VERSUS, TSN
SERIES L	#3 vs. #4	NETWORK
Thursday, April 30	at Vancouver, 9:00 p.m.	CBC, VERSUS
Saturday, May 2	at Vancouver, 9:00 p.m.	CBC, VERSUS
Tuesday, May 5	at Chicago, 8:00 p.m.	CBC, VERSUS
Thursday, May 7	at Chicago, 8:00 p.m.	CBC, VERSUS
*Saturday, May 9	at Vancouver, 10:30 p.m	CBC, VERSUS
*Monday, May 11	at Chicago, 9:00 p.m.	CBC, VERSUS (JIP)
*Thursday, May 14	at Vancouver, TBD	CBC, VERSUS

* - if necessary

Who is going on?  Let us know who is going to be in the next round.  Is your favorite still in the playoffs?  Who should be getting the MVP of the 2009 NHL playoff season?

Related articles by Zemanta

• NHL bracing for Crosby, Ovechkin showdown (cbc.ca)
• Ryan gives Ducks control over Sharks (cbc.ca)
• Why Can’t Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin Just Get Along? [Nhl] (deadspin.com)

The Cavaliers became the third team in NBA history – along with the 1980 Celtics and 2004 Pacers to sweep a team by winning each game by double-digits.  LeBron James and  Mo Williams were on fire for game 4 against  the Pistons getting a combined 33 points in the first half of the game.  For LeBron, he ended with a total of 36 points, 13 boards, and 8 assists in that final game against Detroit on Sunday.  Mo Williams had a playoff high game with 24 points, 16 of them cam in the first half, and he also had 4 assists and a pair of steals to go along with them. 

This sweep is going to be a great thing for the Cavaliers, as they could get a full week or more to rest their pains while they watch and wait to see who they will be facing in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.  On a good note Cleveland, under Mike Brown, are now 16-4 in the first round of the postseason and they is something to be very proud of.  They will have a difficult task in front of them but for right now they seem to be the team to beat. 

“I think (the killer instinct) has grown with the success we’ve had in the playoffs and the maturity level that we have,” said LeBron. “And it’s continuing to grow. We have that killer instinct. We have it at this point.” 

“I think our fans came from all parts of Ohio to Michigan to give us their support,” beamed LeBron. “It was great. I respect our fans for that. Even though tonight was a road game they made it feel as if we had a home crowd here. They were amazing.”

The NBA Playoffs for the 2009 season are well into the first round as of now.  Here is a look at how things are going for the teams. 

EASTERN CONFERENCE

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Here is a look at the leaders of the playoffs as of right now.  With points you have Dwight Howard from Orlando with 36 points.  Ming Yao with Houston had a total of 13 rebounds to lead the playoffs.  Steve Blake from Portland leads the playoffs with 10 assists.

This is Sean Avery from the NHL’s

New York Rangers

You asked for it you got it.  The 2009 NHl Playoff Schedule is up and we are ready for some hockey.  The teams have played their hearts out all season long and now it is all or go home.  Check out when your favorite NHL team is playing and watch the madness.  First we have a list of how the top 16 teams did with the wins, losses, and ties.

Capitals (50-24-8) vs Rangers (43-30-9)
Devils (51-27-4) vs Hurricanes (45-30-7)
Penguins (45-28-9) vs Flyers (44-27-11)
Bruins (53-19-10) vs Canadiens (41-30-11)
Red Wings (51-21-10) vs Blue Jackets (41-31-10)
Canucks (45-27-10) vs Blues (41-31-10)
Blackhawks (46-24-12) vs Flames (46-30-6)
Sharks (53-18-11) vs Ducks (42-33-7)

Now you can see how each team did against each other in the regular season.

Regular Season Matchup : Sharks 4-2 Ducks
Regular Season Matchup : Blackhawks 4-0 Flames
Regular Season Matchup : Canucks 2-2 Blues
Regular Season Matchup : Red Wings 3-3 Blue Jackets
Regular Season Matchup : Bruins 5-1 Canadiens
Regular Season Matchup : Penguins 4-2 Flyers
Regular Season Matchup : Devils 1-3 Hurricanes
Regular Season Matchup : Capitals 3-1 Rangers

And now for what you have been waiting for all season, the dates and game times for the 2009 NHL playoffs.

All times Eastern

CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS
(Best-of-7)
Wednesday, April 15
N.Y. Rangers at Washington, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m., Versus, CBC
Carolina at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m.
St. Louis at Vancouver, 10 p.m., Versus, CBC

Thursday, April 16
Montreal at Boston, 7 p.m., CBC
Columbus at Detroit, 7 p.m., Versus
Calgary at Chicago, 8:30 p.m., Versus
Anaheim at San Jose, 10:30 p.m., Versus, CBC

Friday, April 17
Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m., Versus, CBC
Carolina at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m.
St. Louis at Vancouver, 10 p.m., Versus, CBC

Saturday, April 18
N.Y. Rangers at Washington, 1 p.m., NBC
Columbus at Detroit, 6 p.m.
Calgary at Chicago, TBD

Sunday, April 19
Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 3 p.m., NBC, CBC
Vancouver at St. Louis, 7 p.m., Versus, CBC
New Jersey at Carolina, 7:30 p.m.
Montreal at Boston, 8 p.m., Versus, CBC
Anaheim at San Jose, 10 p.m., Versus, CBC

Monday, April 20
Boston at Montreal, 7 p.m., CBC
Washington at N.Y. Rangers, Versus, 7 p.m.
Chicago at Calgary, 9:30 p.m., Versus

Tuesday, April 21
Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 7 p.m., Versus, CBC
Detroit at Columbus, 7 p.m.
New Jersey at Carolina, 7:30 p.m.
Vancouver at St. Louis, 8 p.m., Versus, CBC
San Jose at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m., Versus, CBC

Wednesday, April 22
Boston at Montreal, 7 p.m., CBC
Washington at N.Y. Rangers, Versus, 7 p.m.
Chicago at Calgary, TBD, Versus

Thursday, April 23
Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m., Versus, CBC, if necessary
Detroit at Columbus, 7 p.m.
Carolina at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m., if necessary
San Jose at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m., Versus, CBC

Friday, April 24
N.Y. Rangers at Washington, 7 p.m., Versus, if necessary
St. Louis at Vancouver, 10 p.m., Versus, CBC, if necessary

Saturday, April 25
Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 3 p.m., NBC, CBC, if necessary
Montreal at Boston, 7 p.m., CBC, if necessary
Columbus at Detroit, 7 p.m., Versus, if necessary
Anaheim at San Jose, 10 p.m., Versus, CBC, if necessary
Calgary at Chicago, 10 p.m., if necessary

Sunday, April 26
Washington at N.Y. Rangers, 2 p.m., NBC, if necessary
Vancouver at St. Louis, 8 p.m., Versus, CBC, if necessary
New Jersey at Carolina, TBD, Versus, if necessary

Monday, April 27
Boston at Montreal, TBD, CBC, if necessary
Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, TBD, Versus, if necessary
San Jose at Anaheim, TBD, Versus, CBC, if necessary
Detroit at Columbus, TBD, if necessary
Chicago at Calgary, TBD, if necessary

Tuesday, April 28
Carolina at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m., if necessary
N.Y. Rangers at Washington, TBD, Versus, if necessary
St. Louis at Vancouver, TBD, Versus, CBC, if necessary

Wednesday, April 29
Montreal at Boston, TBD, CBC, if necessary
Anaheim at San Jose, TBD, Versus, CBC, if necessary
Columbus at Detroit, TBD, Versus, if necessary
Calgary at Chicago, TBD, if necessary

This is how the Eastern Conference ended for the 2008/2009 NHL season.

So for the match-ups you will be seeing:

Boston vs. Montreal
Washington vs. NY Rangers
New Jersey vs. Carolina
Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh

When the game dates are set we will bring you the days and times and where you will be able to see the games on TV.  In the mean time let us know what you think of the games and how they will break down.  What teams will be going on to the next round from the Eastern Conference of the NHL.

We have the list for the order in which the NFL teams will be picking this year.  Who will it be this year to have the title 1st pick in the 2009 NFL Draft?  Michael Crabtree, Aaron Curry, Brian Orakpo, Matthew Stafford, or even Jason Smith.  You and everyone else will find out April 25-26 in New York City.  That weekend is one of the biggest weekends of the season for fans and players to be.  Get ready because it is coming fast. 

The latest moch draft has the Detroit Lions taking Matthew Stafford QB from Georgia.  What do you think?  Beginning to feel heat from Mark Sanchez. Lions have to decide if Stafford is “The Guy” for them and will he help them get out of the dumps.

2009 Draft Picks

1	Detriot Lions
2	St. Louis Rams
3	Kansas City Chiefs
4	Seattle Seahawks
5	Cleveland Browns
6	Cincinnati Bengals
7	Oakland Raiders
8	Jacksonville Jaguars
9	Green Bay Packers
10	San Francisco 49ers
11	Buffalo Bills
12	Denver Broncos
13	Washington Redskins
14	New Orleans Saints
15	Houston Texans
16	San Diego Chargers
17	New York Jets
18	Chicago Bears
19	Tampa Bay Buccaneers
20	Detroit Lions (from Dallas)
21	Philadelphia Eagles
22	Minnesota Vikings
23	New England Patriots
24	Atlanta Falcons
25	Miami Dolphins
26	Baltimore Ravens
27	Indianapolis Colts
28	Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina)
29	New York Giants
30	Tennessee Titans
31	Arizona Cardinals
32	Pittsburgh Steelers

Who goes first and who does not go at all?  Let us know, leave a comment for us.

The NHL Playoffs are soooo close you can almost taste it.

Looks like Detroit in the Western Conference has clinched its playoff spot.  San Jose with a clinch for there division in the west.  Boston also have clinched their division in the Easton Conference. 

   ** Thru Tuesday’s games  
   X - Clinched Playoff spot   Y - Clinched Division
   CURRENT PLAYOFF MATCHUPS 

 It looks like a tight fight in both divisions to get the 8th spot.  Team are just separated by a few points.  A loose by anyone could cost them a trip to the playoffs and getting a shot at the Stanley cup.

And what a great game it was. The NY Rangers took on the Pittsburgh Penguins last night at MSG and did not skip a beat.  Sending 3 goals through on Marc-Andre Fleury out of 25 and a empty net goal at the end of the game.  Lundqvist had a outstanding game making it his 20th win of the season which puts him in 3rd overall in the NHL.  The Rangers goals came of the sticks of Dawes, his 7th of the season, Mara with his 3rd, the captain Drury his 11th, and Gamez empty net goal makes it 8 for him. 

The penalty min. did not look good for the rangers taking a 4 min high-sticking from Prucha in the first for minutes of the game and ending up with 9 penalties for 23 min.  But Lundqvist stoped everthing that the Penguins came with. 

Montreal head into the Rangers home of New York on Wed Jan the 7th at 7:30 so you should be watching to see if they can pull off one more win to help keep them in the run for the playoffs. 

Related articles by Zemanta

• Ovechkin gets All-Star vote from coach, not fans
• Blackhawks Earn Big Ratings, All-Star Trio
• Rangers pull even in final seconds, nip Pens in SO
• Ian Winwood sees Chicago Blackhawks lose to Detroit Red Wings in NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley Field

Here is a look at the 08/09 NFL Football Playoffs

In the AFC Indianapolis gets beat by the better San Diego Chargers 23-17. Payton had a great game but his defence just keep him on the field long enough to get that one more touch down.  The Chargers had no problem running the ball over the colts even without Ladaninian Tomlinson in the back field.  Darren Sproles took control of the game to win it for the San Diego Chargers last Saturday.

Baltimore just dominated the game against the Miami Dolphins witha final score of 27-9.  With 5 turnovers for Chad Pennington the Dolphins just had no chance.  Flacco did not have such a great game but with his one rushing touchdown and another from McClain and 62 yards from McGahee they managed to stomp the Dolphins out of the playoffs.

In the NFC, Arizona pulled off a close game against Atlanta 30-24.  Kurt Warner had some nice stats for a old man in the NFL, 19 out of 32 for 271 yards.  He had 2 touchdowns and 1 int.  Fitzgerald and Boldin had the 2 receiving TD’s while Hightower ran 1 touchdown in.  Matt Ryan from the Falcons was 26 out of 40 with 199 yards, 2 TD’s and 2 Int’s but just could not get the 3rd that they needed.

Philadelphia took Minnesota out of the playoffs with a 26-14 win on Sunday.  Westbrook had a huge game with 20 rushes for 38 yards and 3 receptions for 83 yards and 1 touchdown.  Peterson took 2 TD’s in for the Vikings out of 20 runs.

So with the next set of NFL playoff games set let us know who you think will be moving on next week.  Here are the games and the time for the next round of playoff games in the NFL.

Sat, Jan. 10th at 4:30 ET on CBS you will see Baltimore at Tennessee
Sat, Jan. 10th at 8:15 ET on Fox the game is Arizona at Carolina
Sun, Jan 11th at 1:00 ET on Fox check out Philadelphia at NY Giants
Sun, Jan 11th at 4:45 ET on CBS don’t miss San Diego at Pittsburgh

Remember to leave us your comments on who will move on this week.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Sproles burns Colts in Chargers’ OT upset
• Colts’ Manning wins third MVP
• Pennington Wins Second Comeback Player Award
• Sproles, Scifres prove Chargers are dangerous from all angles