Rangers win update

The first series has ended, so it's time for our first look at the standings on the team side of things. Quite frankly it's not too exciting as not a single poolie predicted a Rangers sweep, so there's a massive tie at the top.

The Rangers quick win (or more accurately the Thrashers quick loss) will have a lasting impact on one poolie in particular. Yes, our defending champion likely won't be defending for much longer. Rob Shaw was the long poolie to have the Thrashers in the Stanley Cup final. Taking a surprise Southeast Division team has been a useful strategy in recent years, but it appears to have backfired this year.

I don't have many thoughts on this series, I didn't actually see much of it. I took the Thrashers expecting them to be pumped for their first playoff trip in franchise history, but that clearly wasn't the case. It should also be noted that Keith Tkachuk lost in the first round once again. I think there's been enough of a precedent set now that it's safe to pick against any team Tkachuk plays for in the first round.

This is usually the time of year where I give a breakdown on pool stats. That will have to wait a day or two, but check back soon. Also new this year, I will be posting all the entries online in the coming days. This will everyone to check my math and quiet the "Pete the Cheat" chants from the peanutgallery (by the way, if I was cheating, I think I would have a much better track record).

Without further ado, here are the standings:

Ali Hewitt 3 Not taking the Canucks to win the Cup? Blasphemous.
Arthur Casement 3 Boy, those Oilers sure suck, eh.
Colleen Turnbull 3 Is this the year the Sens finally figure out the playoffs?
Colleen Racine 3 Nice to still have a Carleton employee in the pool.
Jack James 3 Playfair must have listened to you, no McCarty
Janet Chapman 3 I can't find an entry from Chris this year, did he send one in?
James Gordon 3 That Islanders pick, while gutsy, is likely wrong
James Peters 3 You've got the early Peters, but this a marathon not a sprint
Jeff Sandelli 3 You've been silent in the trade Iginla debate
Jenn Hosfield 3 You need the Penguins to turn things around
Julianna Nowaczek 3 The Buffalo/Ottawa conference final is a popular pick
Kim Landon 3 How'd the painting turn out?
Lloyd Mack 3 If I gave bonus points for blog comments, you'd be winning
Mary James 3 You took a lot of sweeps, but not in this series
Mike McGuire 3 Don't underestimate your hockey knowledge
Mike James 3 You may have overestimated yours
Mike Macaraeg 3 And it's unanimous, the Mikes like the Rangers
Natalie James 3 Soon to be our only Saskatchewan poolie (I think)
Neil McKinnon 3 Tops on the player side and tied for the lead here
Ryan Plesko 3 Your sister should enter this thing, she is married to a poolmaster
Terry James 3 Apparently the Innisfail biodiesel plant still has some hurdles
Sean Hutchinson 0 Thrashers loss hurts, Sharks win was good news for you
Rob Shaw 0 It's all downhill from here for you
Peter James 0 I'm still gunning for a Top 30 finish
Peter Field 0 Battle of the Peters will be intense
Mary Kay Hosfield 0 Welcome to the basement
Marlow Weldon 0 Thanks for coming back for a second year
Jordan Stein 0 Brodeur will have to settle down for you to have a chance
Jason Trout 0 Taking the Thrashers a rookie mistake
Jason Anthony 0 Mikes are smarter than Jasons so far
Debb Coghlin 0 So the Avs FINALLY missed the playoffs.
Brenden Hope 0 Only one way to go from here...