May 28th: Playoffs? We're Talking About Playoffs?

May is the most intense month in professional sports, as both the NBA and NHL are in the thick of the playoffs. Between the two, there are 32 teams fighting for their championship lives, looking to hoist the trophy high, the result of 82 games each of fighting, clawing, and driving for the final goal.

The difference in playoff intensity this year, though, could not be more different. In the NBA, it has been a downright boring playoffs. Of the opening series, only three of eight went to six games, while there was only one Game 7 across the board. Since then, the Cavaliers and Warriors have each waltzed right into the Finals, with little more than a few token wins for their opponents. Games have, as a general rule, been blowouts, lacking anything that resembles the drama we all have come to love from the playoffs. Last year, we saw the eventual champion Spurs have to flex their muscles just to get to the Finals, getting the best play from Dallas, to Portland (ok, not really Portland, but still…) , and Oklahoma City en route to the Heat and the championship. This year, only the Bulls were able to put even the slightest of dents into the Cavaliers’ domination, and the Grizzlies were the closest to giving the Warriors even a hint of a hard time.

This could not be in greater contrast with the absolutely epic playoffs coming out of the NHL. Six of the first eight series went to a game 6, with no team earning multiple sweeps this post-season. For the first time in 15 years, both the Eastern and Western Conference Finals are going to a Game 7, and it is next to impossible to predict who will win either. The hard-hitting Ducks square off against the finesse game of the Blackhawks, while Ben Bishop’s Lightning try to find the net against King Henrik and the Rangers. Overall, there hasn’t been a dull game yet, and Friday and Saturday will be absolutely epic to set up next week’s finals.

The real difference comes from league parity, something that the NHL has in abundance, but is a fatal flaw for the NBA. When teams enter the playoffs with a losing record, it can be assumed that they won’t put up much of a fight against the best in the league. Nobody was very interested in a Celtics-Cavaliers matchup, nor Pelicans-Warriors. Meanwhile, any NHL team can match up against any other, depending on the night and the arena. Only ten points separated the best team in the Western playoffs from the lowest, leading to 4 simply epic matchups. The East is a little more diverse (15 points from top to bottom), yet the Wild Card team who was the 8 seed happened to be the very legitimate Cup threat Penguins.

Despite the lackluster NBA and the electric NHL, national attention is almost entirely on the hardwood. Yet this should be a huge opportunity for hockey’s coming out party. For anyone who has never seen the excitement, felt the passion, and felt to breathe for minutes at a time, the NHL playoffs are, by far, the cream of the crop when it comes to the post-season. There is no better feeling than the anxiety of driving your team forward in the playoffs. Overtime playoff hockey is the single greatest showing of sports drama, and has happened in abundance this season. When one city can talk about nothing but their boys on the ice, you know you have a playoffs worthy of your attention. The City of Chicago is painted red, and it isn’t for the Bulls.

I’m voting with my remote control, and you can bet that, next week, when both Finals are going on, I’m going to pick Lord Stanley over Larry O’Brien. (C’mon. Which is more illustrious sounding between THOSE two?)

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April 15th: NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Preview

There is no better post-season in all of professional sports than the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. All 16 teams think they have a legitimate shot at the title, and momentum will be the key factor. A goalie gets hot for a series, and the championship favorite gets sent home early. A team’s offense starts to click, and the whole picture goes up in flames. This year will be no different.

What will transpire in the next two months? The ZP: Left Fielder can only guess!

Western Conference Round 1 -

St. Louis Blues vs. Minnesota Wild

Winner: Wild

The central division has been monstrous this year, and these two have been the cream of the crop. The Wild are on a tear, while the Blues are, for the first time in a long time, the favorite. Watch out for a physical Wild team to surprise the Blues for their second straight exit at the hands of a rival.

Nashville Predators vs. Chicago Blackhawks

Winner: Blackhawks

Both ended the regular season on sour notes, but both are put together for a big playoff run. The key to this series will be twofold: goalie play and experience. Pekka Renne is a beast when he’s hot, but Corey Crawford is a playoff machine. The Blackhawks take this series behind their experience and a fresh Patrick Kane.

Anaheim Ducks vs. Winnipeg Jets

Winner: Ducks

The Ducks haven’t had great luck at deep playoff runs. Meanwhile, the Jets are a big, physical team, that makes their opponent fight for every inch. This is going to be a surprisingly tough series, but the Ducks’ depth will see them through to the next round.

Vancouver Canucks vs. Calgary Flames

Winner: Canucks

Frankly, this is the least exciting series of the first round. The teams are fairly evenly matched, which means it will be fun to watch, but neither strike me as real threats in the West. That being said, Ryan Miller playing in Vancouver could be huge against a Flames team that may be a little burned out from the fight for the playoffs.

Eastern Conference Round 1 -

Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottowa Senators

Winner: Canadiens

The popular pick for first round upset is the Senators, who are on an absolute tear. That being said, Carey Price is one of the best goalies in the game (if not THE best), and the Canadiens have the experience to send the young Senators home early.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Detroit Red Wings

Winner: Lightning

Detroit has sat Jimmy Howard to start the series, not a good start for a team fighting against the pre-season favorite to come out of the East. The Lightning look built for a big run, and Ben Bishop and Steven Stamkos will be fun to watch.

New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Winner: Rangers

The Penguins dodged a bullet by sneaking into the playoffs on the last day of the season. Meanwhile, the Rangers blew everyone else out of the water, despite missing Henrik Lundqvist for a good chunk of the season. Now that he’s back, the Rangers will treat the Penguins as a kickstart for their pursuit of a return to the Cup Finals.

New York Islanders vs. Washington Capitals

Winner: Capitals

Many believed that the Capitals’ window for success had closed, yet here they are, looking like strong candidates in the East. The Islanders were fun to watch at the start of the season, although everyone was waiting for their inevitable (we thought) fall. Prediction: they will have their fall from grace this week, as the Capitals step up in a big way.

Western Conference Round 2 -

Wild vs. Blackhawks

Winner: Blackhawks

The Blackhawks have dispatched the Wild from the playoffs two years in a row, and are now looking to do it again. With a healthy Patrick Kane and a deep, deep offense, the Hawks will be a force to be reckoned with. The Wild thought they were one piece away from offing Chicago, but they’re not there yet.

Ducks vs. Canucks

Winner: Ducks

A western matchup that features two teams trying to take the Kings’ spot in the Western Conference finals, the Ducks and Canucks will have a lot to prove. This prediction depends on how the first round goes, but the Ducks look to be the favorite, assuming they can keep the momentum from having the most points in the West.

Eastern Conference Round 2 -

Canadiens vs. Lightning

Winner: Lightning

This is a goalie matchup for the ages. Carey Price is one of the finest in the world, while Ben Bishop’s size makes him a terrifying obstacle for opponents. This is going to be all about momentum, even more than most series, and the Lightning are poised to make their stab at the cup.

Rangers vs. Capitals

Winner: Rangers

The Rangers and Capitals have a long history together, and the sparks always fly when the two square off. This year, the Rangers are hungry and want to get back, while the Capitals will find themselves overwhelmed by a goalie that just can’t wait to be King.

Western Conference Finals -

Blackhawks vs. Ducks

Winner: Blackhawks

The Blackhawks are used to traveling to southern California to stake their claim on the Western Conference. This year, the Ducks will give Blackhawks a far easier challenge than the Kings last year. This will be a letdown of a series, compared with the fireworks of the earlier rounds. Owning all the momentum, the Blackhawks fly past the Ducks.

Eastern Conference Finals -

Lightning vs. Rangers

Winner: Rangers

This is going to be an absolutely epic series. The Lightning were the pre-season favorite to win it all, while the Rangers have turned themselves into post-season favorites. Who moves on? Once again, it comes down to Henrik, who is fresh, healthy, and ready to put together another champion-caliber performance.

Stanley Cup Finals:

Blackhawks vs. Rangers

Winner: Blackhawks

The West really is best. To get here, the Blackhawks will have to show an expert combination of grit, determination, and experience at handling the lime-light. If any team can do that, it’s this one. The Rangers will take it to six games, but the Hawks will hoist the Cup come June.

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April 2nd: MLB West Division Predictions

We wrap up our breakdown of every team in baseball with the West divisions. With the Mariners surging and the Astros growing ever-closer to their 2017 World Series date, the AL is full of excitement. Meanwhile, the NL holds the dominant Dodgers and the defending World Champs. The West will most certainly be wild this year.

American League West:

1. Angels

Everyone wants to declare the Angels secondary in their division, but that lineup is fierce. Having the greatest player on the planet helps, and I see Albert Pujols continuing to rebuild his career as he learns what it means to be an older player. The pitching is the one area of question, but this team is going to be better than anyone is giving them credit for.

2. Mariners

This looks to be the preeminent favorite to come out of the American League in October. I am not so sure, though, as the Mariners have a lot of growing and learning to do. Strong on all sides of the ball, the Mariners will be fun to watch this year, but we all need to keep our enthusiasm in check a little bit, as there is a lack of experience on this team that could cause a hiccup down the stretch.

3. Astros

Don’t look now, but the Astros look like they are getting to compete sooner rather than later. George Springer is going to be a star in this league, while the rest of the lineup saw great improvement with some wise offseason moves. The pitching is an area of concern, but the Astros are trending up, and could turn a lot of heads.

4. Athletics

Every year I predict the A’s won’t be as good as we expect, and every year the A’s are better than we expect. This year might just be the first time I’m right. A full blown fire sale left almost no one you’ve ever heard of on this team, and, while Billy Beane has always been a genius, his selling may have caught up to him this time.

5. Rangers

The Rangers were baseball’s least lucky team last year, and this year doesn’t look to be much better. The end to Yu Darvish’s season is a huge blow, and the Rangers are putting a lot of love behind Prince Fielder, who is coming off a serious injury. This team could be much better than I expect, but, if we learned anything from last year, it’s that you can’t get your hopes up in Arlington.

National League West:

1. Dodgers

The Dodgers had a dominant 2014 campaign come to a dramatic end, as Clayton Kershaw fell from grace in the postseason. This year, the team will bide their time until they can get their October revenge. A great lineup and a great rotation means this team will have no problem finding their way into the playoffs. What they do from there will define them.

2. Giants

Three championships in five years? This team is a dynasty, and Buster Posey is the reason why. While it would be clever to claim that this will be a down (odd numbered) year, the Giants will be competitive, and will be led by two of the brightest young stars in the sport in Posey and MadBum. The Giants aren’t as strong as they were in October, but they will still be a force.

3. Padres

The Padres will have six new starters on Opening Day, causing many to declare the Padres ready for contention. I’m not entirely sure that all of the pieces will come together as nicely as others might believe. This team will hit plenty of home runs, and the pitching will keep them competitive, but this will be the biggest disappointment of the season by a wide margin.

4. 
   Diamondbacks

I’ve loved the moves the Diamondbacks have made since Tony La Russa took over. If I were a pitcher, I would hide under the bed at the thought of Goldschmidt, Trumbo, and Thomas back to back to back. The young outfield corps is also very intriguing, and will give this team a spark. If it weren’t for a dreary pitching staff, I would boldly predict that this team would be my sleeper pick. Maybe next offseason they’ll be ready to finish the rebuild.

5. Rockies

The Rockies are a team full of parts, none of which can bring together the finished product. Tulowitzki, Gonzalez, Morneau, Blackmon, Arenado; there is plenty of star power, but nothing to show for it. This team needs to aggressively commit to rebuilding, and actually put together a product that can compete in all phases of the game.

Check back tomorrow for a look at the playoff picture and a full prediction. Who will come away with the Commissioner's Trophy in October? You’ll find out tomorrow!

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October 8th: Lord Stanley's Return

One of the greatest Stanley Cup Playoffs in recent history left a nation waiting for October. Now, the NHL is ready to drop puck once again, allowing hockey to get back on track as the country’s fastest growing sport.

This season, the Blackhawks look like the juggernaut to beat in the West, with the Stanley Cup winning Kings not far behind. The Bruins lead a weak East, while the Penguins and Canadiens refuse to be forgotten.

The Zoot Perspective: Left Fielder has been waiting for months for this. Here is the 2014-2015 forecast for just a few of the things you’re going to see this year.

Player to watch: Anze Kopitar, C, Kings

Kopitar had a coming out party in the Kings’ Stanley Cup run last year. He received some much due spotlight, and is about to make the jump into the upper echelon of the league. This prediction isn’t necessarily that his numbers will change much, but he will receive far more air-time as an elite level playmaker in the NHL.

Team ready to reach the next level: Minnesota Wild

The “State of Hockey” is ready to become something big. Last season’s success, coupled with off-season acquisition of Thomas Vanek vault this team into serious contention for the West. Come late April, it wouldn’t surprise me if we were talking about the Blackhawks, Kings, and Wild as the major threats to represent the Western Conference.

Team that will fall from grace: New York Rangers

The defending Eastern Conference Champs are about to sink like a stone. In hockey, making the playoffs isn’t nearly enough if you’re going to get ousted in the first round. That may be the fate for the Rangers this coming year. Having the greatest goalie in hockey helps seal some wins, but this team looked like they were riding more momentum than talent last season. Momentum doesn’t usually do too well across the off-season.

Western Conference Final prediction: Chicago Blackhawks over Los Angeles Kings

This is the best matchup in hockey going forward. At the end of last season’s clash, the entire hockey world was saying that these two teams squaring off is good for the sport. Well, each team is just as deep as they were a year ago, and the Blackhawks would love nothing more than revenge. I give the edge to a Blackhawks team that features two of the best young stars in the game, and a supporting cast who can make it all come together once again.

Eastern Conference Final prediction: Boston Bruins over Pittsburgh Penguins

This makes me uncomfortable. I don’t think these are the best two teams in the conference. Not even close. I think it is the best team and maybe the fourth or fifth best. But, with the playoff structure implemented last season, it looks like the far better Atlantic division will be forced to beat each other up, leaving the Metropolitan division with an opportunity to skate a little bit. That being said, I think the Bruins will edge the Lightning to go to the Conference finals where they will meet the far underqualified Penguins. The Bruins, who are the deepest team in the East, will make the Penguins look lame. Once again, Pittsburgh will have to answer to the question: what good does star power do if you can’t win championships?

Stanley Cup prediction: Chicago Blackhawks over Boston Bruins

The epic 2013 Stanley Cup Final rematch will happen this year, with the Madhouse on Madison rocking again. The Blackhawks will have their hands full with a tough goalie, but nothing they haven’t done before.

Hockey is one of the few sports where any team can beat anyone on any given night. Yet over the course of the playoffs, the cream rises to the top. The talent, depth, and experience of the Blackhawks will lead them to their third cup in six seasons, and official dynasty status.

February 28th: American League Preview

Last week, ZPLF made predictions about the 2014 National League results. This week, it’s the American League’s turn.

AL EAST:

1. Boston Red Sox: Logic says that a team that wins the World Series and keeps its roster pretty much intact should be the favorite to make another run. The 2014 Red Sox should look pretty good, with Dustin Pedroia leading the club both on and off the field. Another AL East title is well within grasp.

2. New York Yankees: The Yankees missed the playoffs for the second time in the last 20 years, and, as they did after the 2008 season, went out and spent a ton of money. The starting lineup features 5 new faces, with 18 All-Star games between them. The only fly in the ointment is that the Yankees are an old team, with every player over the age of 30. This team is totally dependent on the new guys being able to play Yankees style ball.

3. Tampa Bay Rays: We’ve all made the mistake of thinking the Rays will slide. On paper, they shouldn’t be as competitive as they are. They will, though, remain competitive in the tough AL East, but they may be missing the star power to overtake the bigger superpowers of the Red Sox and Yankees.

4. Baltimore Orioles: Last year was a disappointment after the excitement of a 2012 playoff appearance. This off-season, the Orioles added some significant pieces, including Nelson Cruz and Ubaldo Jimenez in the past few weeks. This would be a playoff team in most other divisions, but this looks like a fourth place finisher.

5. Toronto Blue Jays: Oh, what a difference one year makes. Last year, this team was the disappointment of the season after a big off-season left them looking like contenders. This year, it appears as though very little was done to improve a team that finished at the bottom of a stacked division. If 7 big time new players can’t help this team win, I’m not sure anything can.

AL Central:

1. Detroit Tigers: New manager Brad Ausmus has huge shoes to fill, but having a two-time reigning MVP on your team can’t hurt. The pitching remains dominant, the lineup looks solid, and there are no gaping holes in a team that has won three straight division titles. Barring unforeseen circumstances, it doesn’t look like anything is going to change that.

2. Kansas City Royals: A young nucleus with a focus on defense, the Royals look primed for a long run of success. Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas will decide how far this team goes, as they attempt to blossom into the superstars everyone is expecting from them. This is my pick for most exciting team to watch.

3. Cleveland Indians: A brilliant run to the playoffs last year left the city of Cleveland hopping with excitement. The arrival of hometown hero Nick Swisher has revitalized the city and brought hope for the future. Unfortunately for the Tribe, not a lot was done to improve upon last year’s Wild Card game losing team. Another good season appears in the books, but not a good enough one for another Cinderella story.

4. Chicago White Sox: The Sox were a confusingly, atrociously bad team last year. Make that the third worst team in Major League Baseball. The off-season brought some good young talent, including the hopeful superstar Jose Abreu. The pitching staff looks weak, except for Chris Sale, who was the one bright spot on last year’s team. This team will be streaky and most likely downright mediocre.

5. Minnesota Twins: How often does a team get considerably better, yet move down in the standings? This appears to be what will happen to the Twins, as the addition of pitchers Phil Hughes and Ricky Nolasco won’t be enough to bring the team to contention. The future looks bright, though, as prospects Oswaldo Arcia, Byron Buxton, and Miguel Sano patiently await their arrival in the Bigs.

AL West:

1. Texas Rangers: The Ranger have proven time and time again that they are going to beat you with the bat, and let the pitching staff figure itself out. The additions of Prince Fielder and Shin-Soo Choo add two of the most important ingredients to a powerful offense. There will definitely be a void in leadership after the departure of Ian Kinsler, but as long as the team finds a way to come together, things should be looking big in Dallas.

2. Oakland Athletics: Don’t ask me to name three members of the Oakland A’s organization, because I probably can’t. I haven’t been able to name a non-Cuban or non-cereal character in the last three years, yet that hasn’t keep the A’s from winning two straight division championships. It has become impossible to count this team out, but they aren’t in a place worth predicting big things consistently yet, either.

3. Los Angeles Angels: Having the best player in baseball will do great things for an organization. The Angels have been disappointing for the past two years, but a healthy Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton in the same lineup as Mike Trout make a team impossible to ignore. The pitching has been the issue, and there hasn’t been much done to make it better. We’ll see if Tyler Skaggs can make this team a viable contender.

4. Seattle Mariners: The Mariners win the award for most busy off-season, but that doesn’t necessarily translate into regular season success. Robinson Cano will sell tickets, but he isn’t enough to launch this team into a real division race. I expect the Mariners to serve as spoilers for the race between the Rangers and A’s.

5. Houston Astros: The rebuilding process is a long a tired one for Astros fans. The addition of Dexter Fowler will make this team a little better than the 111 loss team from a year ago. Plus, the development of double-play combination Jose Altuve and Jonathan Villar looks to be one to watch. This will be bad in 2014 for Houston, but not as bad as many might believe.