Every weekend, from here on in, the Gasman will provide insight and predictions of the key weekend matchups. I’ll be keeping score. So, without further a due:
Friday
NHL: The first round of the playoffs are almost as exciting as watching Project Runway. But one can’t discount the emotion and suspense of playoff hockey. So I’m taking the Rangers to beat the Devils. Yes, Martin Brodeur looked like one of the Oceanic Six during Wednesday’s 4-1 loss. But through the trap defense and Brodeur’s impeccable consistency, the Devils should make it a game. Rangers, though, have the emotional high in Newark. The pick: Rangers, 3-2.
NBA: Hornets and Lakers, my, my, my.With only a week left in the regular season, the top spot is still up for grabs and watch for Chris Paul to display why he is the real MVP. Everyone is picking the Lakers to win it all. But, my friends, the Hornets are definitely a hurdle. NO has something to finally cheer about. And Paul is the reason, averaging 21.2 points and a NBA-high 11.5 assists per game. The pick: Kobe goes home disappointed, 98-86.
Saturday
MLB: What else? Yanks and Sawx! The second installment of the 2008 rivalry brings a ton of intrigue. Mike Mussina, who some left for dead, rebounded nicely during his second start against the Rays last week. However, he won’t have the offense he did that night due to Josh Beckett hurling for Boston. Yes, the same Texas-sized Josh Beckett that dominates NY every year. The skinny: Yanks aren’t hitting and Beckett is too powerful, especially against an aging Mussina. Boston, 6-2 (see, I’m not a homer, I’m a realist).
NASCAR: The Hendrick Motorsports drought will end in the first Saturday night race of the season. The team enjoyed dominance of almost every Car of Tomorrow event during its inception last year. And this year, they haven’t been able to figure it out. Hendrick, through four-time series champ Jeff Gordon and 2007 series winner Jimmie Johnson, swept Phoenix last year. So, Gordo and his rainbow warriors are the pick (much to the chagrin of the Gasman).
Sunday
Masters: No, it won’t be Tiger, Phil or even Vijay. It’ll be Jim Furyk wearing his first green jacket. The 37-year old is due and is a two-time runner-up of the U.S. Open. As of Thursday’s first round, Furyk sat tied for sixth, shooting a 2-under 70 for the day. For those Woods watchers, Tiger was tied for 19th after the first day.
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