The Road to the Stanley Cup begins for the Devils

The New Jersey Devils open the Stanley Cup playoffs tonight in Newark as the #2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
They will be up against the #7 seed Philadelphia Flyers. The Devils will be seeking their first cup since 2003, when they defeated the Anaheim Mighty Ducks 4 games to 3 in a best of 7 series.

Only five players from that team remain. Long time Devil Patrik Elias who leads the Devils in most categories all time understands that in hockey teams change frequently.

" It is a long time, and especially in the last couple of years you see a lot of changes that's why when you have a good team you have to take advantage of it.
Long time Devils goalie Martin Brodeur turned 38 this year and this may be his last chance at another Stanley Cup.

Although the Devils will have home ice and are favored to win the series, the match-up will be a difficult one. The Flyers beat the Devils 5 out of 6 times this year.

The Devils are just trying to find a way out of the first round of the playoffs something they have not been able to do the past 2 seasons.

Ring Ceremony in the Bronx welcomes back some old faces

The New York Yankees were all very excited to get their rings, for some of them it was their first, for some it was their fifth but it was special either way.
No one does tradition like the Yankees and this was evident, Yankees legends Yogi Berra and Whitey Ford helped Manager Joe Girardi hand the players their rings.

The crowd went crazy for their favorite Yankees, especially for the Captain Derek Jeter, which is no surprise.
Although he didn't receive the loudest ovation, that honor went to someone not even wearing a Yankees uniform. More specifically former Yankees designated hitter Hideki Matsui. Matsui who is now a member of the Los Angles Angels of Anaheim.

Matsui was greeted warmly from the Yankees fans, and also by his former teammates. Matsui had this to say "I was very deeply moved," Matsui said afterwards. "It's something I will remember forever, that moment."

One teammate in particular decided it would be funny if the Yankees played a little practical joke on Matsui. Derek Jeter exchanged Matsui's World Series ring for a fake one and Matsui had no idea because he didn't look inside the case it came in, later they would give him the real ring.

Many people had a good time in the ceremony, but when the first pitch was thrown it was back to business as usual for the Yankees as their quest for their Major League Leading 28th championship resumed.

Jets acquire troubled but talented receiver from the Steelers

The New York Jets have decided that they are going to take chances this year, and they hope to turn risk into reward.
On Monday night the New York Jets traded for embattled Wide receiver Santonio Holmes.
The Jets traded a fifth round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for the talented, but troubled Super Bowl MVP.

Which is a steal under most circumstances, but Holmes comes with a laundry list of off the field problems. Holmes is currently facing a four game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.
There is also an on-going investigation about an incident where Holmes is being accused of throwing a glass at a woman in a club last month.

The Jets have not shied away from bringing in players with questionable past's earlier this month they signed embattled CB Antonio Cromartie and last season they signed another troubled WR Braylon Edwards.

Head Coach Rex Ryan must feel his leadership can keep those things from being a distraction or he wouldn't risk ruining the chemistry that got the Jets to the AFC title game last season.

Rangers playoff hopes are dashed with shootout loss to Flyers
There are no ways to sugarcoat it, the New York Rangers aren't going to the playoffs.
They were eliminated by the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday.

The game had a playoff feel, it went down to the wire in regulation, then it went to overtime, and then it was decided in an intense shootout.

Just like that it was over, the past 20 days the Rangers had dug their way out from the bottom of the Eastern Conference and had their playoff fate in their own hands.

The Rangers were seven points out of the playoffs with just 10 games to go and fell just one goal short of the playoffs.
Oli Jokinen was stopped by Brian Boucher and the Rangers season stopped at the same time.

The last time the Rangers missed the postseason was the 2003-2004 season.
One thing is for sure the rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist did all he could, he had to face 47 shots on goal and then undergo a grueling shootout.
The rangers have all off-season to sit and wonder if they had one more win what could have been

Jose Reyes is back and ready to go

Welcome back Jose Reyes and not a moment to soon for the struggling New York Mets.
The Mets welcomed back their multi-talented shortstop and lead-off hitter back to their lineup on Saturday.

When Jose Reyes is healthy their is no questioning his talents, he has speed, power, gold glove defensive skills, and is the heartbeat of the Mets lineup. The key word in that sentence is healthy which for the last two seasons has been challenging for Reyes.

Reyes has not played in a Major league game since May 20th of last season.
Translation it's been about a year since Reyes has faced Major League pitchers. So some rust is to be expected from the dynamic young shortstop.

One thing for sure is Reyes is ready to go he arrived at Citi Field way before anyone else on Saturday. "Like 8:20 I was here," he said. "I got up like at 6 at my house watching my watch every 15 minutes. I couldn't wait to get to the ballpark."

Mets fans can rejoice knowing that the heartbeat is back, and their team is almost fully intact the only piece missing is outfielder Carlos Beltran who is due back in mid- June.

Mark Sanchez makes Cameo on Saturday Night Live

Mark Sanchez has adjusted to life in the NFL, being the head Quarterback for the New York Jets isn't always the easiest job in the world.
Sanchez has made the transition from USC to the Jets look very smooth, as he adjust to the big stage that is New York he is faced with many career opportunities.

The Jets have a history of their Quarterbacks getting many unique career opportunities. Mark Sanchez took one step closer to the Superbowl this past season, and now he is taking one step closer to Broadway.

Well not quite, Sanchez this past Saturday was on the iconic show Saturday Night Live, in a cameo for the host (Tina Fey) opening monologue.
Sanchez only had one line, I'm every woman.

His representatives were contacted earlier in the week and Sanchez being a huge SNL fan couldn't pass up the opportunity.
When the show role was over, Mark Sanchez had this to say about the experience:

"I had a great time with the opportunity to appear on SNL and had the chance to meet and work with some of my favorite actors. Thanks to NBC and [producer] Lorne Michaels and staff for the opportunity."
Sanchez and the Jets can now begin to concentrate on getting to another big stage the Super Bowl.

Knicks remain focused on having a productive off-season

The New York Knicks are closing out another dismal 50 loss season tonight in Toronto against the playoff bound Raptors.

It is their last chance to make an impression on star free agent to be Chris Bosh. Bosh will sit out of the game because he suffered a facial fracture last week and is out indefinitely.

The only bright side for the Knicks is this summer where they will able to sign two free agents to max - contracts.

Head Coach Mike Dantoni had this to say about the end of the regular season alot of the things we got accomplished and we’re looking forward to this summer,” Coach Mike D’Antoni told MSG.

“A few things were disappointing obviously and didn’t go as well as we’d love to dream, but we’re pretty well placed to have a good summer and hopefully be better next year.” The Knicks will now play the waiting game until they are able to sign free agents this summer.

CC Sabathia almost No-hits Tampa Bay Rays

There have been 263 official no-hitters in Major League Baseball history. CC Sabathia was 4 outs away from being number 264.
The irony of it all is the man who broke up the no-hitter, none other than Kelly Shoppach. For those of you who don't know Shoppach was Sabathia's personal catcher when the two played together in Cleveland.

Shoppach had this to say about the pivotal hit "I thought it was beautiful," Shoppach added of the single on his friend's final pitch. "Just the history. I thought if anybody was to do it, it was supposed to be me. I know he probably thinks the opposite."

Many Yankees fans were in attendance at Tropicana Field in Tampa Florida cheering on CC. This is no shock because the New York Yankees call Tampa their spring training home.

Sabathia claimed he knew as soon as the ball hit the bat that it was going to drop in for a single. " "As soon as it left the bat, I saw how it was floating out there. I knew it was going to be a hit," said Sabathia, who then acknowledged his buddy.

The Yankees have recorded 10 no hitters in Franchise history they will have to wait a little longer for number 11.

The Consolation Prize

So the New York Jets won't play the first regular season game in their new home, instead that honor will go to the New York Giants.

Noticed how I mentioned regular season game and that's no coincidence, because the Jets will host the first preseason season game in the New Meadowlands Stadium.

Only catch is the Jets will be vs the Giants in the opening preseason game. Many fans aren't happy about this because most starters don't participate in the first preseason game.
The game will be played on a Monday night at 8:00pm and televised on nationally on ESPN. Meanwhile the NFL has yet to release their regular season schedule, league sources say the schedule will be released April 20th.

So Far... SO Good

The New York Yankees began their defense of their World series title last Sunday against their arch rivals the Boston Red Sox.

The Yankees are in pursuit of their 28Th world Championship, which is the most in all of professional sports. Manager Joe Girardi believes that the key to a successful season this year is for the Yankees to get off to a good start, which hasn't been the case in recent years.

The Yankees have started poorly in each of the last six seasons. In fact Before this season the Yankees had won their season opening series twice in the last six years. Also they have only won their opening series with Boston once in the past six years.

Last season was the ultimate low when the Yankees started off 0-8 against their Division Rivals. Some critics believe it's not how you start it's how you finish and the Yankees finished as champs Manager Joe Girardi encouraged by the good start and hopes it will continue because it's a long season.