"From a marketing perspective, you're some kind of dream fan."

In that case, I expect a LOT more ass-kissing from team management.

Great. Flyers blow another 2 goal lead against the Caps. Now tied in the 3rd period.

In other news, it looks like the Habs were determined not to let the game 7 against the Bruins be competitive. 3-0 Canadians in the third.

Er. . .Ovechkin scores on a breakaway. 3-2 Caps.

I can't believed I missed it. When it was 2-0 Flyers, I was so upset that I decided to go to the gym. I figured I wouldn't stay long and then I could come back to see the third period. But then I lost track of time and forgot I was missing the GAME!! I can't believe I spaced on that. I got back and it was over.

On the plus side, I do feel much better. I think the workout cleared my my cold.

And for the first time in this series, I think the Caps have a good chance to win. Momentum has been generally in their favor since the overtime loss in game four, and now it's in their favor. Huet looks pretty good, Ovechkin looks comfortable and game 7 is in Chinatown.

I'm disappointed the Bruins lost. It sounds like the Bruins were on the verge of recapturing Boston's love. On the plus side, I wouldn't mind seeing a Canadian team win the cup.

I don't know where to watch game 7. I'll probably just watch it at home. Knowing bars in this area, most of them will probably be totally clueless and be showing arena football, the Orioles, golf or some non-Wizards NBA game.

Speaking of the Wizards. WTF?

I'm not surprised the Flyers are going to choke away the 3-1 lead in the series. They've had a hard time holding leads all season. Still frustrating, especially as I've had to endure non-stop taunts from my nephew for the last 40 minutes.

As for the Wizards? Well, LeBron is really, really good, and one great player matters much more in the playoffs than in the regular season. But that's probably a conversation for a different thread.

How old is your nephew? I've found that its best not to taunt family over sports. But maybe he's not old enough to realize this.

It always comes back to haunt you. I say this with some experience. One group of cousins are Ohio State fans (yeah, I know) and the other group are big Iowa fans. It always comes back around. So we've got a sort of unwritten agreement to keep it high-minded and civil at all times.

He's 17, but isn't particularly good at taking the long view. Also, taunting me about hockey is risk-free for him, because his Cap-fandom is probably not long lasting.

17 is not an age when one usually makes long term commitments or thinks about the future.

I think the NHL will get a good series with the Penguins regardless of the outcome tomorrow night. If its the Caps, they'll get the dream star-vs-star matchup. If it's the Flyers, then its a cross-state rivalry between divisional foes and cities that don't like each other.

It seems that the dividing line for Pittsburgh-Philadelphia fandom in PA is a bit east of the center. It's roughly the Susquehanna River.

Does the NHL re-seed after each round? For some reason I thought that they did (which would have the Flyers playing the Habs if they won).

As I understand it, they reseed (within the conference, of course).

Of course, I meant the Flyers playing the Canadians, not the Caps.

Though I don't think the Flyers will get out of this series, I'm glad that they'd be playing the Habs rather than the Penguins, as I don't think I can stomach them going up the other, non-Ovechkin savior of the league.

Oh, I see.

I got the story. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08112/875233-61.stm

If the Caps win, they play the Pens and therefore, the Canadiens play the Rangers. If the Flyers win, they'll play the Rangers and the Habs play the Pens. Flyers rangers is a great rivalry. New York-Philly in anything is bitter.

Hmmm. The prospect of Sean Avery taking on the Philly Phaithful is a guilty pleasure that's hard to resist.

Especially now that Avery's announced that he's going to intern at Vogue.

QUOTE:
If the Flyers win, they'll play the Rangers and the Habs play the Pens.

Actually, if the Flyers win they play the Habs (Habs are the one seed, Flyers will be the lowest remaining seed). If the Caps win, they play the Pens (as the Rangers will be the lowest remaining seed and, therefore, destined for the Habs).

Unfortunately, that means the Flyers only play the Rangers if the Flyers beat the Caps tonight and then the Habs and the Rangers beat the Pens.

Oh yeah, right. I'm very confused.