Apr 6, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville watches his team play against the Nashville Predators during the third first at Bridgestone Arena. The Blackhawks beat the Predators 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

Joel Quenneville seems to be the favorite to win, since his team had an amazing run at the start of the season. They broke a record for consecutive games at the start of the season by getting at least a point a game in 24 games. Their record was 21-0-3. That put a jumpstart to their season for sure, but that wasn’t their only record. Quenneville paired two goaltenders who played so well, they were both considered to be starters. Ray Emery was the first goaltender in the NHL to go 10-0-0 in his first 10 games. They also won the Presidents’ Trophy earning them home ice advantage throughout the entirety of the playoffs. There is no question that Quenneville is a major part of this, and he played one hell of a hand with the players he had.

Mar 29, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Anaheim Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau reacts during the third period against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. Anaheim won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Bruce Boudreau led the Ducks to a season record of 30-12-6, which landed him safely behind the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2nd spot of the Western Conference. Boudreau, who joined the Ducks’ team mid-way through the season last year, has boosted his players t0 win more games. During the playoffs, where they lost in the first round to the 7th seeded Red Wings, they played three games where they came back and tied the game in the third period after being down by three or more goals. Two of those three games ended in an OT loss, but their push in the third period proved to be fatal to the Red Wings, and many regular season opponents. This is thanks to Boudreau, and he is a great choice for the Jack Adams Award.

Feb 16, 2013; Toronto, ON, Canada; Ottawa Senators head coach Paul MacLean motions from the bench during their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Paul MacLean, or as many of you know him as, the bug-eyed fat walrus, is the third finalist for this award. He led the Ottawa Senators to the 7th seed of the playoffs, who defeated the Montreal Canadiens in the first round. He had major issues to face, especially with injuries to stars Jason Spezza and Erik Karlsson. With Karlsson’s injury, it was almost certain that he would be out until next season. In the first round of the playoffs, he made a comeback, and now Spezza is looking for a return hopefully soon. MacLean has also used his secret weapon in net. Craig Anderson was 6-2-2 in his first 10 games and seen as a Vezina trophy favorite early on. An injury caused in February against the New York Rangers limited him and has dropped him out of the Vezina race, but it hasn’t taken him out of the playoffs yet.

All three coaches have played their teams to the best of their ability, and it has worked very well. Other coaches I would consider is Dan Bylsma (Pittsburgh Penguins-Had a few winning streaks this season), Mike Yeo (Minnesota Wild-Used Zach Parise and Ryan Suter to sneak into the playoffs above the red-hot Columbus Blue Jackets), and Adam Oates (Washington Capitals-Took a last place team to the third seed of the playoffs). It is time to vote, so who is going to win the Jack Adams Trophy? Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

May 12, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green (52) checks New York Rangers right wing Derek Dorsett (15) during the third period in game six of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Rangers won the game 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

As predicted, the Washington Capitals have let the New York Rangers tie up the series at home in game 6 to force a game 7 back in Washington. Both teams have been playing very well. All 6 games this series has come down to a wire, whichcould have gone both ways. As I said before, I think this is going to be a win-at-home series. That means I think Washington takes the Rangers by storm.

The Capitals lead the series with 12 goals for and 11 goals against, which indicates that game 7 is going to be a tight game. Derick Brassard scored the one and only goal in game 6 to put the series into the final game. It put the team more than just up by one. It put them up emotionally. Henrik Lundqvist made this statement after the win.

“It’s just a bounce and you win it, so we know we can do it,” Lundqvist said. “I feel like they always come a little harder in their home building, but we can build on this one.”

King Hank had 27 saves in the 1-0 shutout.

Game 7 should be a very close game. With that being said, it’s very important to not take bad penalties. Penalties such as the Mike Green penalty that Adam Oates didn’t like. Capitals’ coach Adam Oates had made a statement about the cross-checking penalty given to Mike Green in the sixth game.

“It looks like a slew foot to me. Obviously that’s why Mike reacted. Mike is not that type of player. You watch it and to me it looks like a slew foot. I realize Green is one of the guys they want to target. But that’s a very dangerous play.”

The Capitals’ injuries include Brooks Laich, Tom Poti, and Martin Erat, who injured his arm in game 4. The Rangers were without Ryane Clowe, Marc Staal, and Darroll Powe Sunday night, and are all questionable for Monday night. Big Washington players for game 7 are Braden Holtby, Mike Green, Joel Ward, and Troy Brouwer. Big New York players for game 7 are Dan Girardi, Chris Kreider, Ryan Callahan, and Henrik Lundqvist.

If you have any question, comments, or concerns, email us at tmmots@yahoo.ca and follow us on Twitter @TMMotS. Follow me @NardoneDylan too! Who do you think will win the series in Washington?Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Left behind in the wake of the Kings continued reign, were the shattered bones of a proud NHL franchise, the St. Louis Blues.

At first glance, it might seem as if the Blues were unceremoniously dismissed by his Majesty; but upon closer observation, for those who watched every heart-pounding, palm-sweating minute of hockey at its finest, it was so much more than the final outcome.  It was desire vs. confidence, it was sacrifice vs. power and in the end it was…strength of mind vs. Jonathan Quick and that final bulwark was unassailable for the Stanley Cup contenders, the men of Saint Lou.

No doubt, the Blues organization is licking its wounds.  A tough pill to swallow for all involved. Not with-standing the Blues fan base; which consists of a rag tag band of brothers who have traipsed through forty six years of “if only”.  If only in game six, the L.A. Kings clock was point three seconds faster than it actually was.  If only, fill in the blank with your own recent and or past Blues memory and add it to your elongated list of what ifs.

Moving on beyond the failed coup d’état, the Blues will muster again for next year’s campaign. But next year will be different. Why, you may ask?  For what sound reason do Blues fans have to believe that their history is not doomed to repeat itself?  The answer lies in the shattered bones.  For only in defeat can the Blues find the pieces that will strengthen their resolve for next year’s odyssey.

No longer covered in the shadow of their loss, but now, standing in the light of their accomplishments, their wounds slowly begin to heal.  Regret, disappointment and doubt all begin to fade. In the crucible of an epic playoff battle, the St. Louis Blues forged new qualities of humility and patience.

Therefore, in behalf of all true Blues fans, I say to our band of revolutionaries:  “Gentlemen, we patiently await your Coronation.  LET’S…GO…BLUES!”

My son just read what I wrote and his reaction was: “Dad, you need to dial it down a notch”.

-Amen Brother