It’s a fairly safe bet that most people have gone through some heavy musical tastes progressions in their lives. From the time you actually started really listening to your own music to whatever point you’re at in your life, chances are the styles and artists aren’t the same now as then.

I can remember the point in my life when I started to listen to my own music. It was no longer Eric Clapton, Elton John and Rick Astley (no, I’m not kidding), which was the music my parents listened to. It grew from what I heard my older sister, Kristin, listening to, most notably at that point in time it was The Smashing Pumpkins, right around when the single “Today” came out but before Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness was released, which would put me around 10 or 11 years old. I started watching a lot of Much Music and over the next few years bought the cassettes of Bush X, Smashing Pumpkins, The Presidents of the United States of America, and I believe at one time I purchased the Mortal Kombat soundtrack.
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Tim Thomas and Michael Ryder stunned by Scott Walker's OT goal in Game 7.

I’m at a total loss as to what happened last night in Beantown. Boston was clearly the better team on paper, but the Canes seem to play like a team possessed in the post-season. They made the Cup final in 2002, missed the playoffs in 2003 and 2004, then the lockout, the again made the Cup final (and won) in 2006, missed the playoffs in 2007 and 2008, and now they’re back to the Conference finals in 2009. Almost seems pre-destined.

I’d also like to point out how disappointed I am in Washington’s game 7 performance. Clearly the team that actually showed up to play was going to be the winner and that was the Penguins. I’m not, however, angry or disappointed that Pittsburgh still has a shot at the cup. My roommate, as I’m learning this post-season, is a complete bandwagon jumper. We’re both devout Oilers fans during the season, and yes, I do pick teams to cheer for in the playoffs when the Oilers are out, but I don’t go head over heels for one team or another. Most of the time you just naturally end up cheering for the team you pick to win a certain series, however he practically becomes that team’s #1 fan. During game 7 he was all up in Ovechkin’s face saying he didn’t want Washington to win because Ovechkin is cocky and Crosby is a true gentleman who never whines. I was beside myself at that statement. He was also Vancouver’s biggest fan during both first round series.

Regardless, I went 2-2 in the second round, winning the West and losing the East. So far this post-season I’m 7-5.

Eastern Conference Finals

#4 PITTSBURGH vs. #6 CAROLINA
PREDICTION: PITTSBURGH PENGUINS in 7 games.
I’ve mostly chosen Pittsburgh because I want to see a repeat of last year’s final with a different outcome and if the Penguins can get past a strong Carolina team in the Conference finals I think they have a great shot at beating Detroit in the Finals. I also have to think that Carolina has to lose a series eventually. In their last 6 series they’re 6-0 going back to the ’06 playoffs. I’m hoping the strain of back-to-back 7 game series will finally take its toll on Carolina. In the words of my roommate “I LOVE THE PENGUINS” but really I’d just prefer them over Carolina.

Western Conference Finals

#2 DETROIT vs. #4 CHICAGO
PREDICTION: DETROIT RED WINGS in 6 games.
Eventually, falling behind 2 goals in practically every game and clawing your way back to victory has to catch up to you, especially in the playoffs, and that’s exactly what’s going to happen in this series. Chicago won’t be able to squeak out victory in the dying seconds of every game against Detroit. I’m going to chalk this one up to youth. Chicago’s defense is too inexperienced, and the shutdown pair of Keith and Seabrook is no much for the likes of Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Hossa, Franzen, and Holmstrom. If Pronger, Neidermayer, Whitney and Beauchemin couldn’t do it, I can’t see the Blackhawks getting it done. This will, however, be the first time I cheer for the team I didn’t pick. Detroit’s got a dynasty going and I’d love to see Duncan Keith (with whom I graduated high school) make the Finals.

Stanley Cup Finals

DETROIT vs. PITTSBURGH

STANLEY CUP WINNER: PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
In the repeat of last year’s finals, Pittsburgh will hopefully come out on top. Marc-Andre Fleury will have to stand on his head, and Malkin can’t disappear like last year, but otherwise I like their chances.

Let me preface this by saying these picks have not been influenced whatsoever by the games that have been played thus far. I’m simply behind the 8-ball getting this posted.

Results from the First Round: 5-3

Not as strong as I would have liked obviously, but above .500.

Eastern Conference

#1 BOSTON vs. #6 CAROLINA
PREDICTION: BOSTON BRUINS in 6 games.
Again, Boston is just too strong a team for their opponent. They proved that in the regular season sweeping Carolina and now they’re going to prove that they’re the elite team in the playoffs. Eric Staal just doesn’t stand a chance up against Zdeno Chara.

#2 WASHINGTON vs #4 PITTSBURGH
PREDICTION: WASHINGTON CAPITALS in 7 games.
This one is a crapshoot. I can’t really say that one team is stronger than the other. I would just like to see Washington advance ahead of Pittsburgh since they had their shot last year.

Western Conference

#2 DETROIT vs #8 ANAHEIM
PREDICTION: DETROIT RED WINGS in 6 games.
Aside from the fact that Anaheim looks like they could easily become the next Edmonton in terms of a Cinderella run to the finals, Detroit is still just too strong of a team all-around. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see this go either way.

#3 VANCOUVER vs #4 CHICAGO
PREDICTION: CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS in 7 games.
Again, perhaps I just don’t like the Canucks that even if they are the only Canadian hope left I can’t bring myself to cheer for them. It would seem almost silly to bet against the Canucks after their easy first round win but I like the youth in Chicago and their never-quit attitude.

Stanley Cup Prediction

BOSTON vs DETROIT

STANLEY CUP WINNER: BOSTON BRUINS

With San Jose taking the early exit their spot is taken by the next most likely team, Detroit, in the finals. But Boston will prevail. They have more consistent goaltending, an offence that rivals Detroit’s for depth but they play a system that will wear down the Wings veterans.

I promise to try to get my Conference Finals predictions up before they start.