Milestone Night For Flower

When you get taken first overall in a draft in sports, there's usually pretty high praise and high expectations surrounding your game. For Marc Andre Fleury, that was the case when he was taken first overall in the 2003 NHL Entry draft. Now, here we sit over twenty years later, and Fleury sits at #2. After shutting out the Islanders 5-0 last night, it gave Fleury career win #552, good for second most in the history of the league, only trailing Martin Brodeur.

Fleury is a long shot at catching Marty, but passing Patrick Roy for second on the list is a pretty big deal.

Taken first overall in 2003, Fleury has really made a name for himself between the pipes in this league. Played thirteen years with the Penguins, winning 375 games and three Stanley Cups in the Steel City.  He then spent his next four years in Vegas, helping getting the Golden Knights on the map. In Vegas, he won his only Vezina trophy and 117 games. He then went to Chicago for a year where he won 19 games in a Hawks uniform. Finally he landed here in Minnesota, picking up 41 more wins in three years with the Wild. In total, he has started 1,007 games in the NHL (and counting as of this writing), becoming just the 4th goalie in history to do so. He joined Patrick Roy, Martin Brodeur and Roberto Luongo as the only ones to do so.

What Fleury has done in his career has been nothing short of amazing. He's been hailed around the league as being a fantastic teammate, which speaks just as much volumes about his career as anything he's done between the pipes.

Some of the saves that Fleury has made during his career have defied logic. He's been that good. There was a stretch when he first got to Vegas where he really carried that team and kind of set the bar for what quality goaltending should be for the Golden Knights. He first started doing that in Pittsburgh as well. Believe me the bar was already set high with what guys like Tom Barrasso did in that city. He took that bar and moved it up to an even higher level. Even now, eight years after he was taken by Vegas in the Expansion draft, the Penguins still haven't found the right guy to fill his skates and its doubtful they ever will.

Congratulations Fleury on becoming the second winningest goalie in the history of the league!

NFL Wild Card Weekend

And away we go. We started this journey with 32 teams. It ended after 272 regular season games, we are down to the final fourteen left standing. All with one goal in mind. Hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy as Super Bowl Champions come the second weekend in February. This is the beauty of playoff football. Anything can happen on any given week. One bad snap, one dropped pass, one missed tackle. Could change everything for a team. Its playoff football baby.

So lets not waste anymore time. Here's how we see wild card weekend going down.

Cleveland Browns @ Houston Texans Saturday 4:30PM NBC
Its old against new with CJ Stroud taking on Joe Flacco in the quarterback battle. Cleveland has already done this once this year, going into Houston and winning a game. Happened week 16 with Flacco throwing for 368 yards.  Granted Stroud missed that game, so that's adding a much different element this time around. Even with Stroud around most of the year, Houston had a middle of the pack offense during the regular season. They're going up against a defense who allowed the fewest yards against in the entire league. Both teams come in having won three of their final five games. Close matchup, but here is where past playoff experience wins out.

Pick: Browns 35, Texans 27

Miami Dolphins @ Kansas City Chiefs Saturday 8PM Peacock
Playing at Arrowhead is a tough thing to do. This is going to be even tougher for Miami this weekend. They lost three of their final five games to close out the regular season. That and the Dolphins are missing two of their top pass rushers heading into this game Saturday night. Four of the six losses the Dolphins had this year we're on the road. Yes the Fins have the best passing attack, and total offense, in the game this season. Never count out Patrick Mahomes in a playoff game. He keeps that going this week.

Pick: Chiefs 27, Dolphins 20

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Buffalo Bills Sunday 1PM CBS
This game is nothing against the Steelers, who have put up a great year winning ten games, including the final three of the regular season. But they are going to be without their best defender in TJ Watt. And they facing a hot Buffalo club who closed the season on a five game winning streak. Buffalo really is playing great football right now. Pittsburgh, while a good team, isn't as good on defense without Watt on the field. Even when he was there it's hard to find a statement win by this defense all seas.

Pick: Bills 30, Steelers 14

Green Bay Packers @ Dallas Cowboys Sunday 4:25PM Fox
You wanna talk about a high scoring affair. Both starting QB's in this game, Jordan Love and Dak Prescott, are playing outstanding football at the moment. But here's were Dallas gets an edge. They have been a top five overall offense and a top five in the passing attack. Oh and on the other side of the ball, Dallas has a top five overall defense as well. This isn't a knock on the Green Bay attack, as the Pack have come in winning three straight games. Green Bay is going to make this a tight one, but at the end of the day Dallas pulls it out.

Pick: Cowboys 35, Packers 27

Los Angeles Rams @ Detroit Lions Sunday 8PM NBC
This is the most interesting matchup of the opening weekend of the NFL playoffs. Why? Because these two QB's got traded for each other before the start of the 2021 season. Stafford got his ring his first year with the Rams, while Stafford is still waiting. Detroit has been a dominating team from start to finish this year, while the Rams surprised everybody by coming back to make the playoffs. They won seven of their final eight games to lock up a playoff spot. There's no doubt the Lions are good, but the Rams are red hot right now. We calling an upset here.

Pick: Rams 30, Lions 27

Philadelphia Eagles @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers Monday 8:15PM ABC/ESPN
Yes, the Eagles maybe the better team, record wise, they just haven't come even close to looking like it as of late. Philly has lost five of its final six games. This after only losing once the first half of the year. Philly was a dominating team, now they're coming in limping. Tampa has won five of their final six games to get into the playoffs. The thing that has me worried about this Bucs team is they haven't been a powerhouse of a team the last two weeks. This maybe the week they get things going in the right direction. Expect solid days from both Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans

Pick: Buccaneers 27, Eagles 21

Milestone Night For Coop

Coaching professional sports is not an easy thing to do. Being a success at it is even harder to do. Winning 500 games in the sport of hockey as a coach is so very tough to do. But Jon Cooper did it. Thanks too Nick Perbix scoring almost halfway through overtime last night in the Lightning 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings, Jon Cooper joined that 500 win club.

He became the 3rd fastest head coach ever to join that club, doing it in 839 games. Only Bruce Boudreau (837) and Scotty Bowman (825) have done it faster. Cooper is the fastest to reach 500 wins with one team, and the 29th coach in league history to win 500 or more games. 

He still got a long way to go if he even hopes to catch Scotty Bowman for the all time record.

Still, being able to win 500 or more games behind an NHL bench is pretty impressive. And being to be able to do it all with one franchise speaks volumes. Coop took over for Guy Boucher as head coach here in Tampa in March of 2013 and has been there ever since. Aside from that short stretch at the end of the 2013 season, Cooper has only missed the playoffs once in his tenure as Bolts bench boss, that coming in 2017 missing the playoffs by just a single point. IN that time, he's won two Stanley Cups and been to the finals on two other occasions. Aside from his cup rings, he's been a finalist for the Jack Adams as coach of the year twice, 2014 and 2019.

Cooper has had a great run in Tampa with many high quality players playing under him. They all believe in his system and he's taken the talent that he has around him and made it work inside said system to achieve the ultimate goal. There's never any doubt that Cooper should have his plaque in Toronto at the Hockey Hall of Fame when all is said and done. The man knows how to get the best out of his players and help keep a winning feeling alive and well here in the Bay area.

It's safe to say that Copper has passed John Tortorella as the best head coach this Lightning franchise has ever had. Nothing against Torts and what he did here in Tampa. Cooper just had more sustained high levels of success. We would even go so far to say that Cooper will go down as one of the top five greatest coaches to ever lead a team here in the Tampa area. Yes that even includes the Bucs and rays coaches as well!

Huge Signing Up North

There's no doubt that the Toronto Maple Leafs have a goal in mind. Like every team, they want to win a Stanley Cup. And why not, Toronto has been waiting the longest. The Leafs haven't won the Cup since their last title all the way back in 1967. Toronto is hoping to change that in the near future, locking up their offensive core. They've already signed, Tavares Matthews, Marner to long term deals. now they add William Nylander to that list. Nylander signed an eight year extension with Toronto worth $92 Million.

There's no doubt Nylander has major offensive upside and this is a good deal for him. But it leaves one to wonder.

Toronto has a lot of money locked up in only a handful of guys that they're trying to build around. I get that. But in the salary cap era, that not really gonna help bring a title to town. Especially with bigger pieces still needed by the Leafs if they're going to make anything happen come spring time. The core four that the Leafs have, which is now Tavares, Matthews, Marner and now Nylander will be eating up over $40 million of Toronto's cap space starting next season.

Look, there's no doubt that Nylander is worth his paycheck. He's become an elite level player in this league. 484 points in 558 games in the NHL for Nylander. The last two years have seen him hit 80 points or more, including a 40 goal season last year. He's well on his way to that again this year, with 54 points in 37 games, as of this writing. They guy has finally hit his stride as a scorer at this level and will help keeping the Toronto offense moving.

That's an issue though. I'm not taking anything away from what the Leafs can do as an offensive hockey club. There's no doubt that they've got the horses to put the puck in the back of the net. That's never been called into question. What is being called into question is the paydays here. Toronto has a lot of money locked up into four guys. None of it is locked up into reliable goaltending. Which, as we all know, is critical come playoff hockey. That's what's been holding the Leafs back on long playoff runs for a long time. Its been either in net or on the blueline.

Now why is this story a big deal? Well the obvious reason is the Leafs lock up a star. But it also goes to show a model of what the Leafs feel they need to do to win. Look at what the Lightning have done over the years. The Bolts have built long term playoff success by not only keeping the core stars, but being able to build around them. Toronto hasn't done that and won't be doing it really. That's what's going to be holding them back. They had better try and find help through say the draft or a trade to fix or mend or whatever you want to call it the goaltending and defense.

Clinching Scenarios Week Eighteen

We are down to the final two days of the regular season for 2023. No time to waste. Here's how teams can clinch the playoff spots on the final weekend of the year.

AFC:
Clinched:
Baltimore Ravens (13-3): Clinched AFC North #1 Seed and Home Field
Kansas City Chiefs (10-6): Clinched AFC West
Cleveland Browns (11-5): Playoff Spot
Miami Dolphins (11-5): Playoff Spot

Buffalo Bills (10-6) @ Miami Sunday 8:25PM
-Buffalo can win the AFC East with a win
-Buffalo can clinch a playoff spot with a tie OR losses by Jacksonville or Pittsburgh

Miami Dolphins (11-5) vs Buffalo Sunday 8:25PM
-Miami can clinch the AFC East with a win

Houston Texans (9-7) vs Indianapolis Sunday 1PM
-Houston can clinch the AFC South with a win AND a Jacksonville loss
-Houston can clinch a playoff spot with a win OR a tie and losses by both Pittsburgh and Jacksonville

Indianapolis Colts (9-7) @ Houston Texans Sunday 1PM
-Indianapolis can clinch the AFC South with a win AND a Jacksonville loss
-Indianapolis can clinch a playoff spot with a win OR a tie and a loss by Pittsburgh

Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7) @ Tennessee Sunday 1PM
-Jacksonville clinches the AFC South with a win

Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) @ Baltimore Saturday 4:30PM
-Pittsburgh can clinch a playoff spot with a win AND losses by either Buffalo, Jacksonville or a Houston-Indy tie

NFC:
Clinched:
San Francisco 49ers (12-4): NFC West #1 Seed and Home Field
Detroit Lions (11-5): NFC North
Dallas Cowboys (11-5): Playoff Birth
Philadelphia Eagles (11-5): Playoff Birth
Los Angeles Rams (9-7): Playoff Birth

Dallas Cowboys (11-5): @ Washington Sunday 4:25 PM
-Dallas can clinch NFC East with a win OR a Philadelphia loss

Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) @ Giants Sunday 4:25PM
-Philadelphia can clinch NFC East with a win AND a Dallas loss

Atlanta Falcons (7-9) @ New Orleans Sunday 1PM
-Atlanta can clinch NFC South with a win AND a Tampa Bay loss

New Orleans Saints (8-8) vs Atlanta Sunday 1PM
-New Orleans can clinch the NFC South with a win AND a Tampa Bay loss
-New Orleans can clinch a playoff spot with a win AND losses by both Green Bay and Seattle

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8) @ Carolina Sunday 1PM
-Tampa Bay can clinch NFC South with a win OR a tie and a New Orleans loss
-Tampa Bay can clinch a playoff spot with a tie AND losses by Green Bay and Seattle

Green Bay Packers (8-8) vs Chicago Sunday 4:25PM
-Green Bay can clinch a playoff spot with a win OR Minnesota, Seattle and Tampa Bay losses

Minnesota Vikings (7-9) vs Detroit Sunday 1PM
-Minnesota can clinch a playoff spot with a win AND losses by Green Bay, Seattle and either New Orleans or Tampa Bay

Seattle Seahawks (8-8) vs Arizona Sunday 4:25PM
-Seattle can clinch a playoff spot with a win AND a Green Bay Loss
-Seattle can clinch a playoff spot with a tie AND losses by Green Bay and either Tampa Or New Orleans

Pro Bowl Rosters

It getting close to that time of the year. The NFL Pro Bowl. Its a battle of the best of the best in the NFL.  Coming to us from the Camping World Stadium in Orlando the first weekend in February, we will see the NFL annual all star game.

The rosters have been announced for the Pro Bowl. Here's who's been selected for this years game.

AFC:
Offense:
Quarterback: Tua Tagovailoa, Miami, Lamar Jackson, Baltimore, Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City
Running Back: Raheem Mostert, Miami, James Cook, Buffalo, Derrick Henry, Tennessee
Fullback: Alec Ingold, Miami
Wide Receiver: Tyreek Hill, Miami, Amari Cooper, Cleveland, Keenan Allen, LA Chargers, Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati
Tight End: Travis Kelce, Kansas City, David Njoku, Cleveland
Offensive Tackle: Laremy Tunsil, Houston, Dion Dawkins, Buffalo, Terron Armstead, Miami
Offensive Guard: Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis, Joel Bitonio, Cleveland, Joe Thuney, Kansas City
Center: Creed Humphrey, Kansas City, Tyler Linderbaum, Baltimore

Defense:
Defensive End: Myles Garrett, Cleveland, Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas, Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati
Defensive Tackle: Chris Jones, Kansas City, Quinnen Williams, NY Jets, Justin Madubuike, Baltimore
Outside Linebacker: T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh, Khalil Mack, LA Chargers, Josh Allen, Jacksonville
Inside/Middle Linebacker: Roquan Smith, Baltimore, Patrick Queen, Baltimore
Cornerback: Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos, Sauce Gardner, NY Jets, Jalen Ramsey, Miami, Denzel Ward, Cleveland
Free Safety: Justin Simmons, Denver, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh
Strong Safety: Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore

Special Teams:
Long Snapper: Ross Matiscik, Jacksonville
Punter: A. J. Cole III, Las Vegas
Placekicker: Justin Tucker, Baltimore
Return Specialist: Marvin Mims, Denver
Special Teams: Miles Killebrew, Pittsburgh

NFC:
Offense:
Quarterback: Brock Purdy, San Francisco, Dak Prescott, Dallas, Matthew Stafford, LA Rams
Running Back: Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco, D'Andre Swift, Philadelphia, Kyren Williams, LA Rams
Fullback: Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco
Wide Receiver: CeeDee Lamb, Dallas, A. J. Brown, Philadelphia, Mike Evans, Tampa Bay, Puka Nacua, LA Rams
Tight End: George Kittle, San Francisco, Sam LaPorta, Detroit
Offensive Tackle: Trent Williams, San Francisco, Lane Johnson, Philadelphia, Penei Sewell, Detroit
Offensive Guard: Zack Martin, Dallas, Chris Lindstrom, Atlanta, Landon Dickerson, Philadelphia
Center: Jason Kelce, Philadelphia, Frank Ragnow, Detroit

Defense:
Defensive End: Nick Bosa, San Francisco, Montez Sweat, Chicago, Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit
Defensive Tackle: Aaron Donald, LA Rams, Dexter Lawrence, NY Giants, Javon Hargrave, San Francisco
Outside Linebacker: Micah Parsons, Dallas, Danielle Hunter, Minnesota, Haason Reddick, Philadelphia
Inside/Middle Linebacker: Fred Warner, San Francisco, Bobby Wagner, Seattle
Cornerback: DaRon Bland, Dallas, Charvarius Ward, San Francisco, Jaylon Johnson, Chicago, Devon Witherspoon, Seattle
Free Safety: Jessie Bates, Atlanta
Strong Safety: Budda Baker, Arizona, Julian Love, Seattle

Special Teams:
Long Snapper: Andrew DePaola, Minnesota
Punter: Bryan Anger, Dallas
Placekicker: Brandon Aubrey, Dallas
Return Specialist: Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans
Special Teams: Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Detroit

So what do you think. Did the NFL get the starters right?

Let's Take It Outside

It's a tradition unlike any other in the world of sports. New Years Day, the NHL takes it outside. The Winter Classic outs the league on a new center stage. The venues and teams change every year, but the excitement is still the same. This year, the two newest expansion teams get the spotlight. 

From T-Mobile Park in Seattle, the Kraken will play host to the Vegas Golden Knights.

This marks the 9th time a baseball stadium will be holing the event. It follows Fenway Park (2023, 2010), Target Field (2022), Citi Field (2018), Busch Stadium (2017), Nationals Park (2015), Citizens Bank Park (2012), and Wrigley Field (2009).

We've seen in past years that a game like this works. The venues have been great and its been exciting hockey each and every time out. It all started with the Penguins and Sabres in 2008 and has grown since then In years past, you've had your big name teams play in the game. The Penguins, Rangers, Bruins, Blackhawks, Red Wings, have all played multiple games. Now in recent years we've started seeing newer teams and different markets play host to the event. Dallas has played in this game, so too has Nashville.

Now, with the two teams we got playing in this years contest make for an even more intriguing matchup. Both are the newest teams into the league, both trying to establish themselves around the sport. Oh and one of them happens to be the defending Stanley Cup Champions in Vegas.

For Vegas, a day like today is a showcase to remind everybody why they were the best team in hockey a season ago. For Seattle, this is a proving ground game. They are only in their 3rd year in the league. Its a showcase that hockey is starting to really thrive in the great Northweast. Its proving that hockey is working in not so traditional markets like Vegas and Seattle. Its going to be a great show for the game of hockey and they get put in the spotlight!