Phil Mickelson and Rafa Nadal - Nice Pipes and other Random Thoughts

Some random thoughts after watching sports over the last week:

• It’s hard to believe the Canadiens team playing the Capitals this week is the same one that limped into the playoffs. After a nervous first period on Thursday night, they have consistently looked like the better team in the first two games. For the Caps, it’s deja vu as they lost the first two games to the NY Rangers in the first round of the 2009 playoffs (they prevailed in 7).
• Rafael Nadal looks as impressive as ever on the clay in Monte Carlo, and perhaps it’s the shape of his shirt, but he’s looking pretty pumped up too. I don’t think anyone would want to mess with this guy in a dark alley.
• I love Jim Hughson’s voice on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada. I’ll watch a game that I have zero interest in just to listen to him. Looking forward to Kings - Canucks later tonight.
• On the flip side, I’m not a fan of Jack Edwards, the Bruins television play-by-play announcer. He’s a completely irrational homer who says some very strange things. It’s kind of a shame since his partner, Andy Brickley, is really good.
• Another point on Jack Edwards. I actually met him while I was in high school. He was working at WJAR-TV in Providence and he was covering our High School Tennis State Final. Clearly, he’s done pretty well to rise to work for NESN on Bruins’ broadcasts.
• One of my favorite blogs on hockey, sports and other topics - Orland Kurtenblog. Jason Brough and Mike Halford do a great job and the blog was absolute must reading during the Vancouver Olympics (they’re based in Vancouver). Check them out on Facebook and Twitter too.
• My original plan today was to write a blog post with my seven year-old nephew whom I’ve brainwashed to be a Yankees fan and a Canadiens fan. However, he woke up with a 103 degree fever and is out of commission. I can’t believe how unreliable kids are today.
• I know it’s fashionable to be a Sidney Crosby hater, but I like the kid. He’s a clutch player and he showed it again on Friday night against the Ottawa Senators in a must win game.
  
• While the NHL Playoffs are going on, I’m just not ready for baseball.
• I really enjoyed watching The Masters last weekend. It was great to see some final round drama and I didn’t mind the fact that Phil Mickelson won the green jacket. Speaking of Mickelson, did he spend the winter lifting weights and working out? He looked like a completely different guy, but I didn’t hear anyone on ESPN or CBS say anything about his new physique.
• Are Yankee fans really surprised that Javier Vazquez is struggling in his second tour of duty with the pinstripes? Pitching reasonably well in the National League means nothing in the American League East.
• Speaking of another questionable signing by the Yankees in the off-season, what was the thought process on Nick Johnson? I just don’t get it. He’s injury prone and I’ll be surprised if he has much of an impact.
• I'm amazed at the number of series in the NHL Playoffs that stand at 1-1 in games. That's going to make for some very exciting third games. Even if the Canadiens lose in Washington tonight, can you imagine the atmosphere in the Bell Center on Monday night? I'd love to be there, especially since it doesn't appear that it will be broadcast in the Boston area. :(