Game 26: Stars vs. Avalanche

The Stars... the lowly Stars. I just do not know what to make of them. I ails me to write about them, at times. I mean, since I am a die hard Ranger fan (that's the Texas Rangers, not NY), I know how to glossy my eyes over and believe the absolute impossible. The Stars, well, I am not quite there yet.

Dallas Stars Player Stats 08-09

Name	Brad Richards	Loui Eriksson	Mike Ribeiro	Mike Modano
Goals	9	12	3	11
Assists	15	8	17	8
Points	21	20	20	19
+/-	-1	7	-7	0

Colorado comes into this game with a 12-13-0 record. I personally believe their record is artifically high. In other words, they have been lucky to have the 12 wins. Still, they are more than likely to be able to take down the Stars.

Colorado Avalance Player Stats 08-09

Name	Paul Stastny	Milan Hejduk	Wojtek Wolski	Ryan Smyth
Goals	6	10	5	8
Assists	14	9	10	6
Points	20	19	15	14
+/-	-6	-6	-4	-8

The Colorado goalie, Peter Budaj, is better than the Marty Turco, at least in GAA and save percentage... and that intangible is pretty strong. A team is as only good as it's goalie. And the Stars don't have a good one.

Goalie Comparrison

Name	Games (Starts)	Record	GAA	SV%
Marty Turco	23 (23)	8-11-4	3.51	.872
Peter Budaj	22 (21)	9-12-0	2.80	.899

Forecast: Stars drop this one to the Avalanche. Bad goalie... BAD! Turco just doesn't have it anymore. Look for a score of 3-2.

Home Ice

Pre-Season Game 5: Stars at Avalanche

On paper, the Stars are not having a good pre-season. I simply hope that they are doing well in evaluating the players to see who to keep and who to cut. As it stands, they are 1-3 in the pre-season, with all three loses coming by a margin of one goal. The only win came against the Avalanche with a score of 4-2. That game was at home. Today's game is on the road.

With three pre-season games remaining, I would believe that the regulars are building up there stamina and gearing up for the regular season. And the same would go for their opponents. Still, in the pre-season, player evaluation remains key. With that said, this game doesn't count much past that...

Forecast: The Stars have had success in the pre-season against the Avalanche at the Stars house. And the Stars will have pre-season success in Colorado as well. Stars take this one with a score of 3-2.

Home Plate

Pre-Season Game 2: Stars vs. Avalanche

This, I know, is a game that brings much spark. I do not know if it will carry the same intensity as a regular season game between these two, but it should still be interesting to watch. I am not even going to drop any kind of wisdom right now on hockey for two reasons, it's preseason and second, I still don't know enough to really say anything. I am educating myself on the sport, so maybe somewhere down the line, I might be able to give speculation on what may or should happen.
Forecast: Colorado wins this one 4-1.

Home Plate

Picks to Sunday

Friday, November 4th

NBA
Spurs (1-0) vs. Cavaliers (1-0)
Spurs are awesome. The Cavaliers manhandled the Hornets. Spurs are home. Spurs have Duncan, Finley, Nick at Night, and everybody else who can just do right in the world of basketball. So, the story goes… James will not be enough for the Cavaliers to win. Pure and simple, Spurs are going to take this one. Score: 107-101.

NHL
Stars (6-5-1) vs. Blackhawk’s (4-9-0)
Well, Chicago is just stinking up the ice… If it wasn’t for Vorobiev, would they have any wins at all? If the Stars contain him, they walk away with a win easy. If they don’t, well they still win, it just won’t be as easy. The question I am thinking of this early into the season is will they make the playoffs? Too early to tell, but if Chicago takes them out, then the most likely answer would be ‘NO.’ Dallas over Chicago – Score: 5-2.

Saturday, November 5th

NBA
Mavs (1-1) vs. Spurs (1-0)
The Mavs had some time off, but will rest be enough for the homecoming of Finley? Man, if only the Mavs had Fin and Nick at Night, I would think we could make a strong run again. Not that 50+ wins is something to be ashamed about, but when you are in the same division as the Spurs, what can you do but just lie down and die. I do think they will come out to play and that this game is going to be close, but I have a reality check telling me the Mavs will start 1-2 this season and the Spurs 3-0. Score: 99-97.

Rockets (1-0) vs. Hornets (1-1)
Ming around the rosés, pocket full of poses, ashes – ashes, we all fall down… And so do the Hornets… but, the relocation experiment may do them well. First in Charlotte. Next in New Orleans, and now shacking up in the OK country. But this is not going to be played at “home,” wherever that may be… it’s in a place that is one place closer to you. Houston will win this one, simply because of home court, and the Hornets have impressed me, but let’s be honest. I’m fickle. The Hornets did beat the Rockets by 1 in pre-season, but that was at their house. In Houston, things are different. Score: 92-89.

NHL
Stars (6-5-1) vs. Avalanche (7-4-1)
Denver… a real beautiful area, but hockey players are not known for their looks, are they. Colorado is 5-2-1 at home, and the Stars are 3-1 on the road. But we hate the Avalanche (professionally, not personally). Sour grapes all around. These two teams are going to beat each other senseless. I will take the Avalanche on this one, simply because of home-ice as they call it (and they have won their last 4 games, all at home). Score: 5-4.

Sunday, November 6th

NFL
Panthers (5-2) vs. Buccaneers (5-2)
Are you ready for some football? Me neither. When’s baseball season start again? Cowboys are off… but aren’t they always? Anyway, the mighty-mighty-boss-cats take the stage on Sunday, which will be a great game. Two juggernauts facing off… man, am I using stock lines? Shame on me. Bucs vs. the Cats, should be fun to watch. After a 1-2 start, the Cats have won their last 4, and with the exception of Minnesota, they were close games (4 or less points of victory). They have held opponents under 20 points only twice thus far (New England and Minnesota) and in my opinion, hasn’t really had any victories to truly boast about. I am starting to wonder if the record is more by chance than skill. Tampa Bay on the other hand is a defensive genius. But here is the real concern with them. They were beaten by San Francisco. And right now, that is just outright embarrassment. My 83 year old grandma can beat the 49ers. My six month old can sack their quarterback. The 49ers rank last in 3rd down conversions at 25.9%. In comparison, the Colts, who are a strong favorite to go Supe, have a 51.9%. That’s more than twice as many based on the same chances. I think this may be a close one, the Panthers are better in my mind (they rank second on third downs, behind the Colts). Score: 20-17.

Bears (4-3) vs. Saints (2-6)
Well, I guess I have to look at this one… Saints suck. But let’s look at a few things. Saints have a better offense, statistically, but score less points on average. They have scored over 20 points only twice, and are 1-1 when that happens. They are 0-3 when they score 10 points or less. Green Bay beat them in the embarrass bowl 52-3 on 10/9. Embarrassing the Saints is a common theme this year. I think they should be thinking draft the rest of the way… put defensive linemen who are on crutches into the game and focus off-season. I think Quincy Carter is free right now… Now, the Bears. After starting 1-3, they have won the last 3 and moved into first place in their division. They get less yards than their opponents, but score more points. Do they give them a false sense of security or something? Look for Jones to rush for a million yards (actually, I would say more like 110) and Orton to pass another 200. Bears dominate because Saints don’t show up (again). Score: 21-7.

Sunday Night - picks from Sat and Sun

Saturday

Stars vs. Avalanche – preseason? Yes it is. After missing a few decades, Hockey is back in business. Who will win this? Who cares, its preseason. We are just interested in who is going to have the jersey pulled over their head and beaten to a pulp. Will I watch? No, I will be at the Ranger’s game. Would I watch if I wasn’t at the game? Nope. I watch hockey in the paper only. Well, maybe once in a while… but I’m not one to plan my day around it. I think a 1-1 tie on this, just for grins.

Sunday

Stars vs. Oilers - again? But they just played yesterday. I think 2-1 win for the Stars on this. Maybe I might find a nut on this, who knows.

Panthers vs. Patriots – Patriots have won 3 Supers in the last 4 years, including the last two. Panthers, well, as much as I like the mighty, mighty boss cats, I think are a little more than out-matched. Patriots over the Cats 38-14.

Bears vs. Lions – Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my. Lions surprise with a slaughter of Green Bay in week 1. Can the bad news Bears step up? They would need a “little” more offense. Top rusher for the Bears in week 1?: Mr. Jones had 31 yards on the ground and averaged 2.1 per rush. Well, the defense for the Bears looks great. But so does the Lions. Well, let’s look at it like this, if the Bears hold the Lions to 0 points, I think they may have a chance. But I think the Bears will step up some to the challenge, but it won’t be enough. Lions over the Bears in a triple overtime thriller (just kidding) 24-10.

I just wanted to show you that I did pick, but was unable to post due to not having every game I wanted done. This is what I had by Friday. I missed on the Panthers and the Bears. Oh well. I will post again tomorrow morning/afternoon. Laters.