The Final Stretch: The Top Contenders For Lord Stanley

In the past, my predictions for the finals have been quite accurate. It's not just limited to hockey. I can call each Super Bowl, but since the Super Bowl is here, I will refrain from announcing my pick for Sunday (since I will jinx the team).

I do have my superstitions that have evolved over the years. For instance, I refuse to speak about any player, any team or who I believe will win during the playoffs.

During the 2005-2006 playoffs, I was cheering for the New York Rangers. I was fortunate to watch all of their games at Continental Airlines Arena when they played their first round against the New Jersey Devils. I was sitting in a sea of red jerseys talking to the lone Rangers fan (a young teenager) about the New York Rangers. I knew so much private information about the team (who was injured, what their secret injury was, etc.) that it had every Devils fan in ear range of me listening to what I had to say about the Rangers.

I spoke about how Sandis Ozolinsh was bringing his issues to the ice and was drinking, because I could see the alcohol coming out through his pores (when you have alcohol in your system, you sweat differently). One Devils fan sitting next to me said, "If the Rangers even have a chance in winning this, they will sit Ozolinsh." That, of course, never happened. That was also before Ozolinsh scored a goal on his own team.

When the Rangers were swept by the Devils, Ozolinsh came out and said that he had brought his personal issues to the ice and shouldn't have. A few days later, he was arrested for driving while intoxicated during the morning rush hour traffic.