1.  Which teams will win the NHL Conference Finals?

NOLAN MUCCIARONE:

Rangers and LA. How terrible is that. A NY-LA finals. Horrible. Just horrible.

ROB YUNICH:

L.A. Kings and N.J. Devils. It’s pretty amazing that the Kings are undefeated on the road and have gone 2-0 up on the three top-seeded teams in the Western Conference. While they only finished two points behind the Phoenix Coyotes, they were 16 points behind the Vancouver Canucks and 14 points behind the St. Louis Blues — the two teams they’ve already eliminated. Meanwhile, the Devils made sure that their series with the rival New York Rangers was 1-1 heading into Saturday’s home game. Their path hasn’t been as glamorous as the Kings’, but then again, Newark, N.J., isn’t anywhere is nice as L.A.

JOHN MANUEL:

LA for sure, they are rolling too easily through everyone.  As for the East, before the playoffs I felt the Rangers were the team to beat after 2 seven game series and what looks to be a third I think the Devils take them.  It has to take a toll contrary to Tortarella’s beliefs.  If it does go 7, that seventh game is going to be intense in the Garden.

PARKS SMITH:

Ugh… I don’t even want to think about this, but I think the Rangers and Kings pull it out. The Kings are cruising and I think the Rangers goaltending and defense will be the difference in the Eastern Finals.

2.  What percent chance do you think there will be an LA vs. LA Western Conference Finals?

NOLAN MUCCIARONE:

Zero. Both LA teams will probably lose. The Lakers will probably get swept.

ROB YUNICH:

No… San Antonio is too good, and the Lakers are in a world of trouble. So not only do I think it won’t be L.A. vs. L.A., I venture to say that neither NBA team that plays its home games in the Staples Center will be participating in the Western Conference Finals.

JOHN MANUEL:

.000000001 and only because I can’t say 0 with Kobe.  I think the Lakers can at least rally to make it a series with OKC but I can’t see the Clippers doing much with the Spurs.  Even though the Spurs choked last season vs. the Grizz I think they handle the Clippers in 5.  Clippers get an education from a coach and player like Pop and Duncan.

PARKS SMITH:

20%, both teams are underdogs and I think its very a very slim chance that LA will become LALA-land for the Western Conference Finals. The Thunder and Spurs will both be tough to beat.

3.  What is there a better chance of happening — Josh Hamilton hitting 60 HRs OR any full-time starting pitcher having a sub 2.0 ERA for the season?

NOLAN MUCCIARONE:

Josh Hamilton hitting 60 home runs probably won’t happen, but a full-time starting pitcher having an ERA under 2.00 definitely will not. But I’ve been wrong before. Great question.

ROB YUNICH:

I’m going with the starting pitcher. As of this writing, there are six pitchers with a sub-2.00 ERA for the season and five pitchers finished with a sub-2.50 ERA last season.

JOHN MANUEL:

I say neither happens.  I think there is a 50% Hamilton cools off and hits 50-55 and a 50% chance he goes on the DL for a month like usual.  As for the pitchers its too tough to hold your ERA that low consistantly through a whole season.  Strasburg’s been great but one bad outing and he skyrocketed to 2.25.  None of the guys currently under I think can hold it up especially Dempster in Wrigley and Big Z.

PARKS SMITH:

I want to say a pitcher with really electrifying stuff could get it done, but the MLB season is such a grind full of ebbs and flows. Hamilton has a better shot right now, although the injury bug always seems to hit him.

4.  With Chris Bosh out indefinitely, will that mean the NBA’s “Dream Team” be without a championship 2 years in a row?

NOLAN MUCCIARONE:

I sure as heck hope so.

ROB YUNICH:

Firstly, the Heat aren’t a dream team. They’ve got a big collective mouth, but they haven’t yet backed it up. Furthermore, we’ve already seen the Chicago Bulls eliminated once Derrick Rose was hurt and now the Heat have their hands full with the Indiana Pacers. And, even if the Heat defeat Indiana, they’ll still have to play (presumably) the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals and then (most likely) the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals. The Heat would have trouble winning the title with Bosh, but without him, they’ve got no shot. And I couldn’t be happier!

JOHN MANUEL:

Confused by the question at first, I was thinking Olympic Dream Team, which Bosh may not make anyway.  Its gonna be tough but I still think they can win the title.  If you made me bet everything I have though I would say not this year.  With or without Bosh I think they will get by Indiana probably now in 7.  If Bosh is back for the conference finals, the will beat either the Celtics or Sixers.  Without Bosh, the Celtics can beat them.  Bosh back for the finals, I think San Antonio beats them either way or OKC is Bosh is out.

PARKS SMITH:

I hope so. I think the Heat get too much into their own heads during these series. A scrappy, motivated team like Indy, OKC, or San Antonio could really give them trouble.

5.  Who would you rather have in the middle o your order — Roy Hobbs from “The Natural” or Josh Hamilton?

NOLAN MUCCIARONE:

Well, to be honest: I have never seen the “The Natural.” Why you ask? No idea. Because it’s probably the only baseball movie I haven’t seen yet. And I’ve seen them all. From “Bang The Drum Slowly” and “Pride of the Yankees” to “Tiger Town” and “Eight Men Out.” So yeah, I’d go with Hamilton.

ROB YUNICH:

Hobbs. He’s a better story and a much better person.

JOHN MANUEL:

Can I take President Palmer from “Major League” aka Pedro Cerrano?  If not, I take Hobbs.  Not a big fan of Josh Hamilton.  He is a great talent and is having a great season but just not a fan.  Then again, if he ends up with the Orioles in December I will buy a jersey (home and away), batting helmet with number on it and write State Senator Clay Davis everyday to close all bars in Maryland so he can’t slip up again.  No shhhhhhhhhhiitt!

PARKS SMITH:

Roy Hobbs… Hamilton is a free agent

After the first two games most people were writing off the Lakers but last night they had an impressive win. Can LA keep it up, or are the Thunder too deep and talented to lose?

Fanspeak.com introduces its City pages starting with Washington DC!  We will have full Washington DC sports coverage HERE!

Not only will we cover each team but we’ll have polls, trivia, debates and more!  We hope other big sports cities aren’t too far behind!  If there’s a city you would like to see Fanspeak.com cover sooner rather than later, email megan@fanspeak.com.

Check out Fanspeak’s DC Sports Coverage HERE!

The comish suspended Hamels for 5 games for his intentional beaning of Bryce Harper, which really boils down to one start. Is that a fair punishment and did Hamels deserve to get punished at all?

The playoffs are heating up in both the NBA and NHL playoffs with some big games tomorrow. What games will you be watching and what predictions do you have?

1.  Which team had the best NFL Draft? Which had the worst Draft?

ROB YUNICH:

Steve’s the expert in this area, but here’s my attempt: I say the Minnesota Vikings get huge credit for picking Matt Kalil and also bolstering their secondary. As for the worst, I’m going with New Orleans. They’re in a world of trouble already, and their disorganization showed at the draft.

HOWARD TICKER:

I think the Bengals had the best draft and the Seahawks had the worst draft.

JOHN MANUEL:

I think Pittsburgh unfortunately did the best.  To get two impact O-lineman early was huge.  Maybe Mike Adams pulls a Trent Williams and its not so good but for now I say them.  Worst- I think Tampa made a mistake by moving back and not taking Claiborne.  But the worst I would give to Denver.  Moving back when there were playmakers in the 1st shocked me.  Don’t really like what they did.

STEVEOSPEAK:

I think the Bengals edged out the Steelers in terms of having a great draft. Cincinnati had some extra picks and just hit homeruns with every draft pick. I think that not only they will get some immediate impact players from this class, but 2-4 years from now we will see some of their late round picks develop into starters.

2.  How far can the Chicago Bulls make it without Derek Rose?

ROB YUNICH:

The Bulls weren’t the best team in the Eastern Conference for nothing. That being said, Rose is a huge part of their team and they will be missing a lot. If they can play solid defense and partially fill the void on offense, they might be able to get to the NBA Finals — if the Miami Heat lose to somebody else. More likely, though, they’ll lose in the conference finals to the aforementioned LeBrons.

HOWARD TICKER:

They can make it out of the first round against the Sixers, maybe even the next round depending on who they play. They can play much better without him than they did last night. They have showed it many times this year.

JOHN MANUEL:

Even though the only reliable team in the East now is Miami, I don’t think they will go far.  And after game 2, it really looks that way.  Loss of D Rose is devastating even though I thought Miami would shut them down again in the conference finals.  Maybe they rally to beat Philly but thats’ it.

STEVEOSPEAK:

I see the Bulls recovering enough to make it to the conference finals given their depth, but it won’t be easy. Unfortunately I don’t think they have any chance to go any farther than that.

3.  How far will the LA Kings go in the Stanley Cup Playoffs?

ROB YUNICH:

The Kings are looking scary-good. Before the season, there were high expectations, which didn’t quite come to fruition during the regular season. But they’re undefeated on the road so far this postseason (against the top two teams in the conference) and their goalie, Jonathan Quick, is amazing — and a finalist for the Vezina Trophy for best goalie. I think they have a great shot at reaching the Stanley Cup finals, where anything could happen.

HOWARD TICKER:

I think the Blues will beat them this round.

JOHN MANUEL:

To the finals.  Their goalie is as good as anyone left.  Like the Capitals maybe the regular season was a fluke and now they have shown up.  Too many stars not to be the favorite in the West now.  Doughty, Richards, Kopitar, Carter, Brown…pretty loaded lineup.  And added confidence waxing the Canucks

STEVEOSPEAK:

I didn’t the Kings had much of a chance heading into the playoffs since they under performed all year, but now I think they will end up making it to the Stanley Cup Finals.

4.  Which top prospect will have a better rookie year?  Bryce Harper or Mike Trout?

ROB YUNICH:

I’m going with Harper. The Nats might have recalled him from Syracuse a bit earlier than expected, but it looks like the sky’s the limit with him.

HOWARD TICKER:

Mike Trout, but Harper will be better in the long run.

JOHN MANUEL:

Tough call.  Right now, Harper needs to be with the abysmal Nats offense mainly caused by injuries.  The Angels can be more patient with Trout in the lineup.  

STEVEOSPEAK:

I think both will have good rookie years and great careers, but I’m going to go against the family here and say Mike Trout. Trout is in a better line-up, and can be used on a D.H. some to rest him more. I also think the fact that Harper is going to struggle a bit more as he continues to learn the outfield.

5.  In the calendar year of 2012, will any US city have multiple championships & parades (for the big 4 sports that is)?

ROB YUNICH:

If anybody can do it, it’ll be New York. The Giants already won the Super Bowl in early February and the Yankees are pre-ordained to win the World Series because Kentucky won the NCAA title. (Yes, I know I’m a broken record.) I’m betting the Knicks won’t win the NBA title and who knows what the Rangers will do. (Caps fans won’t be rooting for this one, of course.)

HOWARD TICKER:

I think Philly has the best chance with the Flyers and Phillies.

JOHN MANUEL:

My guess is none.  I think Miami will win the NBA title but the Marlins or Dolphins won’t win.  MLB is wide open which makes this question tough.  Just hopefully not Philly or New York but then again I think the Phillies and Yankees are overrated this season.

STEVEOSPEAK:

This year I don’t see much of a chance of this happening. The Rangers have a shot and I guess the Yankees do as well to match the Giants, but neither one I feel is very likely at this point in time.

Of all the individual game milestones a player can accomplish (in all sports), where does throwing a perfect game rank?

The Vikings finally got their stadium deal crossing off one team off the wish list for Los Angeles to get a team. Do you think that LA will get a team in the next 4 years, and will it be a current franchise on the move?

Thanks to John, Nolan & Rob for joining the Blogger Debate!  Answer the questions below…

1.  Will both the Red Sox and Bobby Valentine move on to have success or will this damper their season?

NOLAN MUCCIARONE:

I’m all for the Boston Red Sox struggling for years and years. They’ll probably be fine.

ROB YUNICH:

As we’ve learned in the past, the Red Sox always seem to have controversy surrounding them. I don’t think any of these April shenanigans will be a huge factor, but they’ve still got to worry about their own pitching issues and of course the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays.

JOHN MANUEL:

Each passing day I more closer to No.  Lester just got shelled.  Crawford has been a disaster.  Division is too tough to get behind early.  Would like have to pass two of the three between the Rays, Jays and Yankees and even the O’s look like a more solid team now.  As an O’s fan, Thank you Bobby V for passing on our managers job and letting Buck take it.

2.  Not based on opponent winning percentage alone, Which team in your mind has the hardest schedule this season?  Which team has the easiest schedule?

NOLAN MUCCIARONE:

The only schedule I really pay all that much attention to is the Redskins’. But I heard someone the other day say the Arizona Cardinals have a difficult schedule.

ROB YUNICH:

I’m not going to say they have the hardest schedule, but the Houston Texans certainly do not have a walk in the park to defend their AFC South title. In October and November, they face (in order) the New York Jets, Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens, (bye week), Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Detroit Lions. Ouch. All are playoff teams (except the Bills and Jags) and it’s entirely possible their season could be lost during that stretch.

On the other side of the spectrum, the Cincinnati Bengals could be helped by their schedule. They open at the Ravens, but then face the Cleveland Browns, Washington Redskins, Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, Browns again, and Pittsburgh Steelers before their bye week. That’s 6-2 easy and maybe 7-1. Even if they’re 5-3, that’s more than halfway to their 9-7 record from last year (when the clinched the wild card). In the second half of the season, their schedule gets a bit tougher with the Broncos, Giants, Chiefs, Raiders, Chargers, Cowboys, Eagles, Steelers, and Ravens, but they certainly could have 10 or 11 wins heading into the last two games of the year.

JOHN MANUEL:

Really tough question since its still early.  Unfortunately it looks like New England to me based on how bad some of the teams on the schedule were last year has the easiest.  As for the hardest, not sure so I am going to say whoever Peter King said has the easiest schedule and go with that.  Because he is an idiot.

3.  Did the refs blow the call on Nikolas Backstrom, or is this another excuse for Caps fans?

NOLAN MUCCIARONE:

It’s hockey. There should never be any excuses. But teams like Washington, whose dependance is entirely is on Ovechkin, won’t win it all anyway. So it doesn’t even matter.

ROB YUNICH:

I’m not going question the refs’ call because I don’t want to be fined. Seriously, this is yet another excuse the Caps can add to their whining list. Whether Backstrom deserved the suspension or not, he got it and the Caps had to play without him in game four, which they won. The bottom line is that, with or without Backstrom, they needed to play a smart game to beat the Bruins and they did that. For games five and six this weekend, they need to keep doing that — and Backstrom will only help that cause.

JOHN MANUEL:

Even though I get have been annoyed in the past injury excuses after Caps playoff losses.  And that by rule it was probably the right call.  I don’t think the ref blew this one, I think Brendan Shanahan did.  He was so inconsistent with suspensions the first week that he is trying to make up for it now.  I do feel the Caps are right to bring up the “head play” of the Bruins and what makes me mad is that the Bruins are the last team that should be going at an opponents head.  How is Marc Savard doing?

4.  What’s the biggest surprise in the NHL Playoffs thus far (either a player, a team or situation)?

NOLAN MUCCIARONE:

The physical play (read: fighting) that is going on. I love it. Go Blues!

ROB YUNICH:

It’s hard not to say the Penguins-Flyers series. Not only are the scores and penalties off the board, but the feel of the entire series is out of control. It’s a nightmare for the referees and a joy for some fans.

JOHN MANUEL:

The unreal amount of goals in the Pens/ Flyers series.  May have been the Canucks being down 3-0 but they come back now with both Sedins.  If the Pens take it seven games that series will have to go down as one of the most entertaining.  Its almost like the 80s Oilers playing in the finals again.

5.  Nats & O’s are both in 1st place right now, due in large part to the success of their leadoff hitter, Ian Desmond and Nolan Reimold.  Which hitter will have the better season?

NOLAN MUCCIARONE:

Nolan Reimold. He’s got the best first name in the world.

ROB YUNICH:

Reimold. He’s been due for a breakout year and, so far, it seems he’s heading for now. After taking three of four from the Chicago White Sox, Reimold is batting .341 with four home runs and eight RBIs in just 41 at bats. Last year, in 87 games, he had just 13 home runs while batting an awful .247. So he clearly feels more comfortable and that’s starting to show in his stats.

JOHN MANUEL:

Tough question since both have histories of fading.  Gonna go with Reimold just because he has shown more power so far.  And with the way the Nats get starting pitching, Desmond just needs to be consistent at the top of the order.

The first half of the 3rd games of the NHL playoffs are today and two teams (Pittsburgh and Vancouver) are already down 0-2. What are your expectations for today’s games?