The cat from Medicine Hat

Trevor Linden is the main reason not named Luongo that the Vancouver Canucks are still in the playoffs and not out on the golf course. He currently leads the team with 6 points, 1 ahead of Taylor Pyatt and 3 ahead of such luminaries as Markus Naslund and Daniel Sedin. However, what's even more impressive is the clutch timing of his points. Both of his goals were game-winners in the Dallas series, coming in Games 4 and 7. He also added an assist in Game 7, and set up the winning goals in Game 3 of the Dallas series and Game 2 of the current Anaheim series. Linden had a solid regular season with 12 goals and 25 points, a considerable improvement over last year's 7 goals and 16 points. In the playoffs though, he has taken his game to another level, as he usually does: there's a good reason that he has an impressive 98 points in 121 career playoff games. Linden has always led by example, and will play a major role in any further success the Canucks may have this post-season.

By the way, if you don't understand the title reference, check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqSMftSKnIg: you'll be glad you did!

Triple showdown in England

The end of this year's soccer season should be incredibly interesting. Manchester United and Chelsea are still only separated by 3 points in the Premiership, will face each other in the F.A. Cup Final, and have a good chance of meeting in the Champions League final as well (United will have to get past A.C. Milan in a home-and-home, while Chelsea must face Liverpool, who are perennially excellent in Europe). United have a terrific shot at repeating their famed Treble success from 1999, while Chelsea could walk away with all four major trophies available to them, due to their League (Carling) Cup victory earlier this year. Both teams have been terrific this year, and have made the Premiership title race one to remember. This weekend, United will host Middlesbrough, while Chelsea travel to St. James' Park to take on Newcastle. Both should be superb games. However, I think the Premiership title is likely to come down to the May 9 meeting between United and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. It should be a fascinating game, as well as a good preview of the F.A. Cup final and a possible Champions League matchup.