btsh.org

The BTSH Media has never missed an opportunity to congratulate itself. For example:

What has been missing amid this masturbatory vainglorious narcissism, however, is a fresh batch of new voices ready to throw their hardworked pages upon the smoldering inferno that is the BTSH website.
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Hey BTSH,

The first round of the 2016 NHL Playoffs is history and the quest for Lord Stanley’s Cup has moved on to the second round.  Let’s review those first round predictions that the league brass and other misfits made in an earlier piece to figure out who our Big Winner is.  

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Pittsburgh Penguins quickly dispatched their rival New York Rangers in only 5 games and proved that their second half season success is for real.  Interesting off-season looming ahead for Little Blue as there are more questions than answers about the future of some franchise players.  
Result: PIT 4-1.
Correct Prediction: Sam, Rich, Ann, and Cherie

The PhiladelphTia Flyers gave the Washington Chadapitals a bit of a scare with their ferocious forechecking and pulling a goalie ace out of their sleeve.  The Caps better pull it together and find their scoring touch again in a hurry or else they’ll be beginning vacation during a familiar time of the year.
Note: It appears that the former Capitals netminder may have found a permanent home in the city of Brotherly Love.
Result: WAS 4-2.
Correct Prediction: Sam, Ben, Rich, Ann, Eli, Jeff, and Diane & Zach

How about them New York Norrislanders!  They went from being the team everyone wanted to face in the first round to being the team you don’t want to see next.  Big ups to Griese for holding it down in place of No. 41.  Poor Jagr is off to an early vacation and possibly another league.
Result: NYI 4-2.
Correct Prediction: Sam, Ann, and Diane & Zach

Tampa Roxy Lightning may have been a little wounded, but they were still strong enough to brush aside the Graham-Workman Red Wings.  Was it really worth if for the Wings to keep their playoff streak alive only to have a worse draft position and weaker prospects to pick from?  Mortgaging a future for tradition has worked out so far them.
Result: TB 4-1.
Correct Prediction: Sam, Rich, Eli, Jeff, and Cherie

WESTERN CONFERENCE

To the delight of Cherie S. and Ann M., the San Jose Sharks exercised their playoff demons and embarrassed the Los Angeles Kings.  These are not your Sharks of playoff past.  Key acquisition of Joel Ward has brought some playoff grit.  (Are we sure he’s not from Sullivan’s neighborhood?)
Result: SJ 4-1.
Correct Prediction: Sam, Ann, and Cherie

What a treat the series between the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues was for us!  Not so much them.  A brutal match-up that could have been a Conference Final took a toll on both teams.  We’ll find out quick what kind of shape the Blues will be in against their second round opponent.
Result: STL 4-3.
Correct Prediction: Just Ann (more on that later)

Patiently waiting for the Blues in the second round are the Dallas Stars.  As predicted, the Stars were able to tame the Wild and did so without the scoring threat of Seguin.  The question isn’t who will be in net for them, it is if you can keep pace with them.  
Result: DAL 4-2.
Correct Prediction: Sam, Rich, Ann, Eli, Jeff, and Cherie

As of this writing, Cherie S. was yelling and throwing blunt objects at whatever television she was watching Game 7 on.  So let’s throw out a little prediction here.  Historically the Anaheim Ducks wobble in the first round as they get their playoff legs beneath them.  And the Nashville Predators have never made it out of the second round.  Therefore, this one will end with a goalie pulled, possibly a new controversy, and a Predator sucker punching Perry in the handshake line.  
Updated Result: NSH 4-3.
Correct Prediction: Nobody.  Not even Vince Gill.

As for our first round predictors…

CONGRATULATIONS to Ann M. of Filthier for making the bold choice of going against the advice of James P. and predicting that St. Louis, Pittsburgh, and San Jose would finally get past their playoff nemesis.  Please proceed to collect your one wish from Glanzer.

Summary of the conversation between Ann and James:
Ann, ‘hey, James.  What do you think of my playoff predictions for the league site contest?’
James, ‘St. Louis?  San Jose?  Hahahaha.  Wrong!  Jeez, I thought you followed hockey.’
The side of James’ neck:, ‘girls..’
Ann, ‘well hold on.  St. Louis’ goalie has been on fire lately and I think San Jose is in need of redemption after their epic 2014 meltdown.  Wake up, James.  Its 2016, the year of the BTSH Lady!’

Take that, James!  Take that, Flanders!  Take that, Naysayers!  

RUNNER-UPS: Sam N. of Math and Cherie S. of Matthematics for their loyalty to the New York Islanders, love for California, and hatred for their rivals.

Best of luck to everyone in the league who still has a dog in the NHL Playoff race!  Except Brian C. of the Hookers and West Coast-Deck League Dan H.  We all hope that the Penguins suck.  Wait, reverse jinx!  We all hope that they pound out their way to the Stanley Cup Finals!