Before the weekend play began, I noted that the 1991 World Series opponents, the Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves each had been swept in all three series and had (0-9) records.
Each team dug itself out a bit by sweeping weekend series meaning all 8 series involving the Twins and Braves have resulted in three game sweeps.
Atlanta won all three in Miami vs the Marlins while the Twins also swept a “regional” type/named team, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Both teams won extra inning games to complete those sweeps.
Surely the San Jose Sharks have been down this road before holding and dissipating a three games to none series lead vs the eventual Stanley Cup champion, Los Angeles Kings two years ago, but winning the first two games in L.A. puts them in great position to win the series.
Two years ago the Sharks had home ice advantage, now they do not. I predicted they would win this series and firmly believe they will take care of business this time.
I say 4 straight for the Sharks which would mean Al Michaels and the other Kings’ fans have seen their last home game this season.
This is no knock on the Kings, a fabulous group with 2 Stanley Cup titles to show for their recent great success. I believe the Sharks will not only win vs L.A. but will win their next series vs either the division top seed, Anaheim Ducks or the Nashville Predators.
Currently the Predators lead Anaheim 1 game to none.
Dionne Warwick – Do You Know the Way to San Jose
Click above to view and hear this great song written by Burt Bacharach and performed by Ms. Warwick
The television show “Get Smart,” with such writers as Mel Brooks and Buck Henry was a big hit, premiering over 50 years ago. This weekend, the television channel, “Decades” is running a “Get Smart” binge.
Late last night early this morning I watched and marveled at the comedic timing of star Don Adams with guest stars Carol Burnett and Bernie Kopell, the latter in a recurring guest role.
Add the solid performances of Ed Platt and Barbara Feldon and I remember why I liked the show so much in years past.
It is worth some time today to tune into “Get Smart” on “Decades.”
Years before mobile phones were a reality, Don Adams pictured above as agent “Maxwell Smart” used a “shoephone” on the fictional show a spoof, of secret agents.
The Boston Celtics, playing in front of greats from the 1966, 1976 and 1986 title teams roared back from a horrible first half to defeat the miami Heat in the regular season finale.
However, the Celtics got no help elsewhere and are the NBA Eastern Conference 6 seed and must face the 3 seed Atlanta Hawks.
The Hawks are roughly 8 and a half to 5 series favorites.
The Celtics will win the series in 7 games.
There are four cities that have teams in the 16 team fields of both the NBA and NHL playoffs.
Those cities/areas are Detroit and Miami/Florida from each league’s Eastern Conference and Los Angeles and Dallas from each league’s Western Conference.
Detroit has the Red Wings in hockey and the Pistons in the NBA. Miami is in both league’s playoffs with the NHL East two seed, Florida Panthers and the NBA East four seed, Miami Heat.
Out West, L.A. has the NHL Kings and NBA Clippers, each with home advantage in the first round while Dallas enters the NHL West top seed, Stars and the NBA Mavericks, the NBA West six seed.
For the first time since 1970, no teams from Canada made the NHL playoffs. No team from Canada has won the Stanley Cup since 1993.
None of the seven NHL teams from Canada made the playoffs.
Of course, I am going to predict that the Golden State Warriors will win their opening round series vs the Houston Rockets.
However, I think it will a somewhat tough 5 game series.
Houston will greatly surprise the NBA by winning one game outright and covering the large spread in one of their two losses on the Warriors’ home floor.
The Warriors will win both games in Houston.
Oh do I feel fortunate to have discovered an old paperback edition of the classic book “The Godfather,” by the truly great author Mario Puzo.
Of course it was the basis for two great movies “The Godfather” and “The Godfather, Part Two.”
As I slowly read the book for the first time in many years, hoping to savor each page gaining new perspective, I will post a few comments and or tidbits here, so stay tuned.
Early on here is a good tidbit: In the movie, “The Godfather,” at the beginning two people are shown asking “Don Corleone” aka “The Godfather” played brilliantly by Marlon Brando for favors on his daughter’s wedding day.
In the book there is a third person, coincidentally perhaps named Coppola. The Godfather movies were eventually directed brilliantly by Francis Ford Coppola.
Last night the “4′ seed New York Islanders won in Florida vs the top seed Panthers in their first round series opening game.
The Islanders have not won a playoff series since 1993.
Florida last won a playoff series in 1996 in the semi-finals vs the Pittsburgh Penguins whose roster included the great Jaromir Jagr, who is still playing and is currently with the Panthers.
The Panthers were swept in four straight games by the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL finals that season and have never won the Stanley Cup.
It is still early in the 2016 baseball season, but now each team has played three series and the opponents in the great 1991 World Series, the Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves are still looking for their first win.
Both teams are off to (0-9) starts. There were low expectations for the Braves but the Twins a playoffs contender last season under the great player, Paul Molitor have gone under so far and headed that way in regard to their “expected,” at least break even record.
Recalling the 1991 World Series, it was the Twins winning it all (1-0) in 10 innings in the decisive 7th game. Jack Morris pitched a brilliant game and Gene Larkin from Columbia University drove in the World Series winning run with a bases loaded 1 out hit over the drawn in outfield.
Click below to view the end of the 1991 World Series
1991 WS Gm7: Larkin’s single wins series for Twins
The last time the Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks met in the NHL playoffs was two years ago and the Kings, en route to a second Stanley Cup victory in three seasons, overcame a (3-0) series deficit to beat the Sharks in 7 games.
This time will be different, no it will not be an easier Kings’ victory.
I predict the long suffering San Jose Sharks will upset the Kings and win their opening round series which begins in L.A. tonight, in six games.
It will not be easy but the Sharks will get at least a split in the first two games on the road and be on their way.
Andy B Sports 