NHL Playoff Players Under Pressure 

By Mike Rifkin

With the NHL regular season coming to an end and all the playoff teams being set. Here is a look at players under the spotlight this postseason. 

  1. Artemi Panarin – Rangers – The Breadman who is in the Hart Trophy conversation, has put up career highs in Goals and points this season. Last year in the first round against the Devils Panarin was held to two assists and two years ago in the Rangers’ run to the Eastern Conference Finals, Panarin had 16 points but there were times where he was invisible.
  1. Alexander Georgiev – Avalanche – Georgiev’s numbers last year in the first round when the Avs got surprised by the Kraken weren’t bad with a 2.60 GAA  and .914 save percentage. But the Avs are in win now mode and even though Georgiev had 38 wins this regular season, but he will be judged on what comes next. 

3) Stuart Skinner – Oilers – What was said about Georgiev can also be said for Skinner. The Oilers and Avalanche both have generational players and rosters that can win it all. Skinner, like the Oilers started the season slow, but after a coaching change things have been solid. Skinner was top 10 in wins and GAA, but a bad playoff might make Ken Holland look for a new goalie over the summer.

4) Mitch Marner – Maple Leafs – Let me be honest here this has nothing to do with Marner. He has 47 points in 50 career playoff games, but this is about the Leafs. If they fail to make the Conference Finals, there has to be some sort of change and not just the coach, or Brendan Shanahan, at some point the core of the team has to change. Auston Matthews and William Nylander both signed new contracts, Marner will be entering the final year of his contract next season, so that makes him the guy with the most to lose. But let’s be honest the entire Leafs roster is under pressure to win. 

5) Pierre -Luc Dubois – Kings – Dubois was a massive addition to an already impressive Kings roster. The Kings decided to get the Center instead of a big time goalie. Dubois has 40 points on the season and is a -9. Dubois has 26 points and is a -9 in 38 career playoff games. If he struggles in the playoffs Kings fans are going to look at that contract differently. 

6) Linus Ullmark – Bruins – The Bruins last season rode the goaltending tandem of Ullmark and Swayman to the Presidents’ Trophy. In the playoffs that changed and named the Vezina Trophy winner Ullmark the starter, and the Bruins wound up losing the series to the Florida Panthers. Ullmark and Swayman each had another great season, but with Swayman needing a new contract, if Ullmark disappoints again he could be moved this summer. 

A GIANT CHOICE

BY MIKE RIFKIN

We are T- minus two weeks away from the NFL draft. Most experts believe the top three picks in the draft will be all Quarterbacks, so the question has been when does the fourth quarterback come off the board and to whom? 

Well, one team that has been “rumored” to select a quarterback is the New York Giants. The Giants had a tremendous bounce back year in 2022 and won a playoff game in Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen’s first season. 2023 was a different story, the Giants went 6-11 and in some games were just not competitive. But the biggest step back in 2023 wasn’t Brian Daboll or Joe Schoen, it was Daniel Jones. Jones, who had his fifth year option declined before the start of 2022, had his best season that year. Jones’s 2022 got him a four year 160 million dollar contract. Jones in 2023 regressed to what he was prior to 22 and that was a turnover machine prior to his season ending torn ACL. After Jones’ injury the Giants turned to Tommy Devito and Tyrod Taylor. Taylor will remain at MetLife Stadium, but will be the backup for Aaron Rodgers. Taylor, will be replaced by Drew Lock, whom the Giants signed from the Seattle Seahawks. 

With the sixth overall pick what should the Giants do? Should they attempt to find their quarterback of the future or go elsewhere? Well I think this is an obvious decision. The Giants leading receiver was Darius Slayton with 770 yards. The Giants haven’t had a receiver go over 1,000 yards since Odell Beckham in 2018. The Giants have one of the worst receiving groups in the NFL, so I don’t care if it’s Rome Odunze or Malik Nabers, (if there’s a miracle Marvin Harrison Jr.) the Giants need help on the outside and that NEEDS to be the pick. 

The Giants can get out of Jones’ contract after this upcoming season with a little more than 22 million dollars in dead cap. If Jones struggles again this season there are a few veteran QBS the Giants might have their eyes on. 

Dak Prescott:  Cowboys – If the Cowboys don’t reach the NFC Championship you have to think Prescott will be out. It’s part of the reason he hasn’t gotten his extension yet and they’ll tie him with Mike McCarthy. 

Russell Wilson : Steelers – This might not be a hot take but had the Giants signed Russ this off-season, people might be jumping for joy. While he stunk for the Broncos, who knows what happens in Pittsburgh between him and Justin Fields. 

Josh Allen : Bills – This is the most far fetched idea. The Bills have been one of the best teams in the AFC for the last five years, but have been unable to get over the hump that is the Kansas City Chiefs. After the trade of Stefon Diggs, you have to wonder what’s going through Allen’s head. If the Bills fail in a similar fashion to the Cowboys, what are the next steps? Maybe reuniting Allen with Brian Daboll would benefit the Giants. 

After one good season and one poor season people have written of the combination of Schoen and Daboll. Despite losing Saquon Barkley in free agency, Joe Schoen has had a fantastic off-season, adding pass rusher Brian Burnes and adding to the offensive line. There’s always one interesting Quarterback move during the offseason, and it doesn’t matter who the quarterback is if they don’t have receivers. That’s the position Schoen has to take in the draft

MASTERS 2024

By Ross Mazin

     It’s that time of year in the golf world where the elite come to play in the coveted Masters tournament to win that desired Green Jacket. The Masters will kick off from Augusta National next Thursday and the weather looks perfect for this year’s tourney.

   Augusta National is 7,435 yards and is one of the most challenging courses on the tour. My favorite hole on this course in the 17th is named Nandina because the berries are considered good luck and you can find these berries at the tee box. This hole is a 440 yards par 4 and the fairway is pretty straight and is guarded by trees on either side. The most intimidating part of this hole is the approach to the green. It is not heavily guarded by bunkers though has two on either side of the front of the green. The green is sloped and depending on where the pin is placed, we could see fewer birdies and more par and bogeys. If you hit a clean drive and are not off to the right or left on your drive you have a good chance at a shot at the green but if you’re in the trees you’re likely punching back out on the fairway (this is not Xbox where you can just go for it) and trying to save par. 

  As for Mark “Old Ops Guy” Halpern, he told me his favorite hole is the 9th hole known as Carolina Cherry. It’s a 460-yard par four that plays a slight dogleg left and has the most challenging green on the course. It slopes deep right and most players try to play left and come just short of the bunkers to give them a nice chip to approach the hole and have an easy putt. This hole plays like a par five, it’s a very long par four that will frustrate most players.

  As for winning the coveted Green Jacket, Mark and I both like Rory Mcilroy, as he has been better this year than last and is due. Others I think will compete well are Max Homa and Adam Shank. As for the “Old Ops Guy” he also likes Brooks Koepka, Xander Schauffele, and an underdog Cameron Smith.

   The Field is set and the course is getting its final trimming and pin placements. Practice rounds will begin shortly and the weather will be gorgeous and time to enjoy a Mint Julep while you watch the best golfers in the world face off for their title shot. 

FREE FALL

BY Mike Rifkin

One of the biggest surprises this NHL season had been the play of the Philadelphia Flyers. When Danny Briere and Keith Jones became the top decision makers of the team they talked about a rebuild. This season The Flyers had been in the top three of the Metropolitan Division most of the season. On Saturday the Flyers lost 6-2 to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The loss was Philly’s seventh consecutive loss. The Flyers are 2-5-3 over the last ten games. Over this seven game losing streak includes defeats at the hands of the Blackhawks, Canadiens and Blue Jackets three teams at the bottom of their respective divisions. 

With the Flyers being the biggest surprise of the league, head coach John Tortorella was my frontrunner for the Jack Adams Award (Coach Of The Year), but now with the recent play of the team some might reconsider. Torts who is known for his tough demeanor, might be having his act where thin. He scratched Captain Sean Couturier for a few games, only a few weeks after he was named Captain. On Monday after losing to the Islanders, Torterella said “ Only one guy played – the goalie. He was the only player that played in the second period”. Tortorella was referring to Ivan Fedotov, who made his debut in the second period, replacing Samuel Errson. Torts walked back that statement a few days later, talking about the team being together and how they’ve responded all year. But is the Torts act wearing thin? 

Over Philly’s last seven games they have scored three goals or more twice. Scoring has been a issue for Philly a lot this season, they averaged 2.86 goals per game. One area where Philly has had problems all season is their power play. The power-less play is connecting at 12.8% with the man advantage. While the Flyers still have an opportunity to make the playoffs, their recent stretch has been brutal. But here’s my question for Flyer fans : do you want to make the playoffs because you’re so close? Or do you want the better draft pick? The Flyers have had a marvelous season to this point, but if they collapse and miss the playoffs, does this make their season a failure? Nobody thought the Flyers would be in a race this late into the season, but this recent stretch is not something to write home about. But I am very curious on what Danny Briere has up his sleeve this summer, especially after this season where the team has overachieved.

FINAL FOUR PREVIEW 

BY MIKE RIFKIN

We’ve arrived at the Final Four in Glendale Arizona. Two number one seeds remain, as does a four seed and a Cinderella 11 seed. So let’s dive into the two matchups. 

NC STATE VS PURDUE : NC STATE was a bubble team until they went on a miraculous run in the ACC tournament and into the NCAA tournament. DJ Burns has become a star during this tournament. He scored 29 points against Duke to get to the Wolfpack to their first Final Four since 1983. Burns against Purdue’s Zach Edey is a matchup everybody is looking forward to. Edey, who was just named the Player of the Year Had 40 points and 16 rebounds against Tennessee. On the season Edey averaged 25 points and 12 rebounds per game. If Burns and Edey cancel each other out the question becomes which supporting cast will be better? Purdue is in their first Final Four since 1980. 

ALABAMA VS UCONN : Alabama is in the Final Four for the first time ever. Alabama is the highest scoring team in the country averaging 90.6 points per game. Alabama was 357 in points allowed giving up over 81 points per game. In the tournament Alabama has given up over 80 points in three of the four games. UConn has been the most dominant team in the tournament. The question for Alabama is can they out physical the duo of Donovan Clingan and Alex Caraban. Tristen Newton vs Marc Sears should a fun matchup in the backcourt. 

Two teams that have dominated College Basketball all season and two surprise teams, this Final Four should be a lot of fun to watch. No matter what the title game becomes we should have an epic Saturday on our hands.

SAY GO NY GO NY GO

By Mark Halpern

      Billy Joel’s song title “The Longest Time” is the perfect statement for Knicks fans. For the longest time Knicks fans have a real reason to be electrified about this Knicks team that is in contention for the third place in the playoff race.

   The New York Knicks are 44-30 and are second in the Atlantic division and fourth in the Eastern Conference one game behind the Cleveland Cavaliers for the third spot. The Knicks have had their ups and downs this season. Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson and O.G. Anunoby have all dealt with injuries, Anunoby returned but has been sidelined again still dealing with his elbow. The Knicks need Randle to return and this team will be even stronger when he does. Jalen Brunson is the Captain of this team because he has done it all with his leadership on and off the court is inspiring. Brunson is having an MVP year averaging 27.9 points/ 3.6 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game. The Knicks have used many different lineups this season (because of injuries) and no matter what combination of players that are on the floor are working as a unit. Big men such as Robinson and Hartenstein are cleaning up the boards and both averaging career highs in rebounds per game .The team is tied for fourth in the NBA in Rebounds per game. This has been a key reason the Kicks keep the points coming is the offensive rebounds have increased this season and making second chance opportunities count. When the Knicks got Josh Hart last season, I was very excited cause I knew what he was going to bring to this team. His play whether he has started or come off the bench he always makes his presence known. I like to consider him the clean version of Draymond Green but with more points and a much better attitude. If you have been watching the electric play of Donte DiVincenzo, then you get the feeling has when opening a cold Ice Tea on a hot summer day. His chemistry with Brunson and Hart has made him one of the most important additions this season. The Knicks traded for O.G. Anounoby and his presence on the floor has been felt. He has been bothered by an elbow injury and has missed some time but when he has been on the floor his defense has been helpful since Randle went down. Last but, not least is Julius Randle and hopefully he will return soon. Once he is ready to join this powerful team. It has been some time since Randle has been on the floor and I am sure he will be a little rusty and now is the time to get him ready for the playoffs. 

    This New York Knick team is a threat on all fronts of the game and Thibs has done a great job and this team is returning to greatness. With the playoffs ahead the Knicks are a real contender to go far in the playoffs but we know all roads go through Boston.

Allie’s Pick: Best 40 Wrestlemania Matches to Watch

To celebrate the 40th Wrestlemania this weekend, I have decided to create a personal list of 40 Wrestlemania matches you need to watch before Wrestlemania 40 (XL). Here is my list of 40 matches you need to see in no particular order

  1. Kofi Kingston vs Daniel Bryan- WM 35
  2. Boneyard match: AJ Styles vs Undertaker- WM 36
  3. Rock vs Steve Austin- WM X7
  4. Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels- WM 26
  5. Shawn Michaels vs Ric Flair- WM 24
  6. Hulk Hogan vs Ultimate Warrior- WM 6
  7. Daniel Bryan vs HHH- WM 30
  8. Bianca Belair vs Sasha Banks- WM 37
  9. Usos vs Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn- WM 39
  10. Shawn Michaels vs Bret Hart-WM 12
  11. Firefly Funhouse Match: Bray Wyatt vs John Cena-WM 36
  12. Undertaker vs Brock Lesnar-WM 30
  13. Gunther vs Sheamus vs Drew Mcintyre-WM 39
  14. Cody Rhodes vs Seth Rollins-WM 38
  15. Rey Mysterio vs Randy Orton vs Kurt Angle-WM 22
  16. Seth Rollins vs Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar-WM 31
  17. HHH vs Sting-WM 31
  18. Hardys vs Dudley Boyz vs Edge and Christian-WM X7
  19. Shawn Michaels vs Steve Austin-WM 14
  20. Macho Man vs Ricky Steamboat- WM 3
  21. Razor Ramon vs Shawn Michaels- WM 10
  22. Shawn Michaels vs Undertaker- WM 25
  23. Owen Hart vs Bret Hart- WM 10
  24. Charlotte Flair vs Rhea Ripley- WM 39
  25. Kurt Angle vs Shawn Michaels- WM 21
  26. Eddie Guerrero vs Rey Mysterio- WM 21
  27. HHH vs Undertaker- WM 28
  28. Daniel Bryan vs Batista vs Randy Orton- WM 30
  29. Edge vs Mick Foley- WM 22
  30. Shawn Michaels vs Chris Jericho- WM 19
  31. Rock vs Hulk Hogan-WM X8
  32. Undertaker vs HHH- WM 27
  33. MITB 2005- WM 21
  34. Bret Hart vs Steve Austin- WM 13
  35. Evolution vs Rock n Sock Connection- WM 20
  36. Kurt Angle vs Brock Lesnar-WM 19
  37. Eddie Guerrero vs Kurt Angle- WM 20
  38. John Cena vs The Rock- WM 28
  39. Hulk Hogan vs Andre the Giant- WM 3
  40. Rey Mysterio vs Dominik Mysterio- WM 39

 A GOLDEN SOMBRERO TO OPEN THE SEASON (Not Good)

BY Mark Halpern

     The term “Golden Sombrero” is used as a term in baseball for when a player strikes out in four at bats in a game. Now this happens way more than major league players want you to know about but, in this case the New York Mets open the season losing four straight games (three to the Brewers and one to the Tigers) and have earned this moniker.

    For the first time since 2005 the Mets opened 0-4 to start the season but, if you remember the Mets went on a tear winning their next six. You can’t really compare that team to this current team because they actually had pitching. To the Mets credit the starting pitching with exception of Severino has been okay. I was beyond encouraged with Sean Manaea’s start against the Tigers Monday night. The Mets problem is that they can’t keep teams off the board whether its starting pitching or the bullpen. When you have a team that doesn’t really have one reliable starter (at the current moment) it’s hard to take this team seriously. 

   As for the lineup I am encouraged with Francisco Alvarez. He has been making solid contact. The Mets are using him right by letting him DH while getting a break here or there when they give Navarez the start behind the dish. The Mets are in desperate need of J.D. Martinez right now cause like last year there is no way to make sure Pete is seeing the pitches he needs. Martinez is progressing and there have a been a few different reports that he will be moved up by middle of next week or at the end of April. I have been happy with the play from Baty at third. Zach Short and Joey Wendle each have gotten a start and have made defensive blunders. Starling Marte is starting to resemble why the Mets got him 2 years ago. This lineup is capable of much better things and a slow start for Lindor and McNeil is not what the Mets need but we are only four games into the season.

   Mets fans are wondering what is the next step? Right now, the next step is to get Martinez up and playing games and a getting another solid bat into this lineup. Kodai Senga is improving and his most recent M.R.I. came back clean and he has been given permission to begin his spring training so to speak and build up his arm strength to be able to pitch. I would NOW think that Senga will be on some type of limits for this season to make sure he is 100% for next season. If the Mets find them in contention for a Playoff spot that could be arranged.

   As for the rookies who are in the wings. Drew Gilbert is major league ready and I will expect to see him come up and help the Mets especially if Marte begins to falter a little. Luis Angel Acuna has rapidly moved his way through the Mets organization. I do not think he will be seen until September call ups or if there is series of injuries. Acuna reminds me of a young Lindor watching him play. His athleticism and determination will help spark the Mets clubs in the future. Mark Vientos was left off the roster because he was just beaten out by Zack Short. Vientos I still love and the more time he gets to play down there he might see a call up if the Mets need DH help or depth. Ryan Clifford has been another solid minor leaguer for the Mets and they also have Jett Williams, Kevin Parada, Roony Mauricio and Alex Ramirez all moving solidly through the minors and just getting better every day. This is why Steve Choen and David Sterns said the farm system is “Stacked.”    For now, you have to support this team and things will get better for this Mets team when certain players return. Just remember YOU GOTTA BELIVE!

Spotlight Is On

By Mike Rifkin

When you’re an athlete in New York the spotlight is always on. It was a horrendous opening series for the New York Mets, getting swept by the Milwaukee Brewers at Citi Field. But for one player in particular might have had the worst weekend. 

On Friday Brewers First baseman Rhys Hoskins slid hard into second base and Jeff McNeil was very unhappy. This caused the benches to clear and even though nothing of importance occurred, it was the beginning of two different weekends. Hoskins hit a homerun and drove in four runs, while McNeil had one hit in 11 at bats. McNeil is two seasons removed from winning the Batting Title, but this season might be very important for the second basemen. 

Yes, Pete Alonso is in his free agency season, Starling Marte needs a bounce back after an injury riddled 2023, Brett Baty needs to show he belongs in the big leagues, but nobody has more pressure on them in my opinion than McNeil. 

McNeil is under contract until 2026 (there’s a club option for 2027). But for McNeil it’s not about the money he makes, it’s about what’s coming through the pipeline. Luis Angel Acuna (acquired for Max Scherzer)  is at Triple A Syracuse and Jett Williams (2022 first round pick) is at Double A Binghamton. Both are Shortstops, but that position is locked down for now with Francisco Lindor. Yes,  Williams and Acuna can both play other positions, but might be more comfortable at second base. Then there’s Ronny Mauricio, who spent some time with the Mets last season. Mauricio had two homers, nine RBI and seven stolen bases with a slash line of .248/..296/.643. Mauricio tore his ACL playing Winter ball, so one has to wonder if he didn’t would he be in the everyday lineup this season?  Like Williams and Acuna, Mauricio can also play other positions, but Mets President David Stearns has emphasized the team getting younger and more athletic. 

I felt the 2023 Mets never recovered from the sweep at the hands of the Atlanta Braves in September of 2022. But if 2024 is anything like 2023, there will be changes made to the roster, and I believe one guy in peril this season is Jeff McNeil, so the spotlight is on.

Quick History

By Mike Rifkin

On Saturday night in Arizona Jonathan Quick made 27 saves in an 8 – 5 Rangers win. For Quick it’s his 392nd victory in the NHL, surpassing Ryan Miller for the most wins by an American born goalie. 

370 wins for Quick came as an LA King. Quick also had a 2.46 GAA and a .911 save percentage as a King. Quick in the postseason was incredible with a 49-43 record with a 2.31 GAA and a.921 save percentage. Quick also led the Kings to two Stanley Cups and won the Conn Smythe in 2012. Quick has 29 career wins against the Anaheim Ducks, the most against any team.  

Quick has had a great year for the Rangers with 17 wins a 2.44 GAA and a .916 save percentage. Quick’s play while Igor Shesterkin was struggling really kept the Rangers at the top of the Metropolitan Division. Quick, a Connecticut native, has a interesting case of being the Rangers’ MVP this season. 

Quick’s resume for the Hockey Hall of Fame was already written. So the most wins for an American born goalie is another note on his resume. Quick has signed a one year extension for 2024-25 and with eight more wins Quick can achieve the 400 win mark.