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After 1,230 warmup games and a sexy little Olympic tournament in between, we can finally focus on what really matters -- the Stanley Cup playoffs. In the NHL postseason, only the hottest survive, so Page 2 presents all the information you need to know about who's heating up at the right time and who'll soon be on ice.
WHAT'S HOT FOR NHL PLAYOFFS




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What do the new "Bull Durham" DVD, a new book on poker and a magazine article on NBA posses have in common? They are all grist for Critical Mass, Eric Neel's new column for Page 2, which will advise you every Wednesday on what you need to know about the strange and wonderful places where sports and pop culture intersect.

10 Burning Questions Slapped Silly
Moochie Norris is more famous for his 'do than his game, though that might be changing after some late-season heroics. Page 2 found itself wondering about the Rockets guard's odd moniker and what it's like to jump while weighted down by all that hair. So we challenged him to go one-on-one with our 10 Burning Questions.
 What happens when you replace Paul Newman with Stephen Baldwin and bring the Hanson Brothers out of mothballs? You get the dreadful movie known as "Slap Shot 2: Breaking the Ice." Page 2's Jim Caple says this remake of a classic sports film is just another in the long line of sequels that should've never been made.

MYSTERY PHOTO
Even though Philadelphia has fallen from Eastern Conference champs to the middle of the pack, a couple of 76ers are feeling pretty relaxed just before the playoffs. Check out Page 2's Mystery Photo, then send us a note with an explanation about what's going on or being said. We'll run the best captions later this week.


Page 2 lists the 10 most overpaid players in the NBA. After checking out our choices, send us a note with your pick and later this week we'll run a poll to crown the No. 1 overpaid NBA player.

10]  Zydrunas Illgauskas, Cavaliers
The 7-foot-3, 260-pound Lithuanian has played just 87 games over the past three seasons.
9]  Tom Gugliotta, Suns
Thanks to injuries, he's now a shadow of his former self.
8]   Austin Croshere, Pacers
As Chad Ford wrote: "A major disappointment, Croshere seems to get time only in garbage minutes, despite the fact some of the Pacers' key frontcourt players have been down with injuries."
7]   Scottie Pippen, Blazers
His 10.7 ppg. average this season is way down from his career average of 16-plus.
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NHL futures: Odds to win Stanley Cup (4/15)
Red Wings 5-2 Senators 12-1
Avalanche 6-1 Blackhawks 12-1
Bruins 6-1 Kings 15-1
Flyers 8-1 Hurricanes 18-1
Maple Leafs 8-1 Islanders 20-1
Sharks 8-1 Canucks 22-1
Devils 10-1 Canadiens 25-1
Blues 10-1 Coyotes 30-1
Complete Line


 
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THE SPORTS GUY
Shaquille O'Neal's Celebrity Birthday Roast was a waste of time and $9.95, but Bill Simmons says at least it wasn't as bad as "Kazaam."

MOCKING BIRD
In his first Tuesday Morning Quarterback column for Page 2, Gregg Easterbrook makes a mockery of mock drafts.

TOYS IN THE ATTIC
Bob Halloran collects memories the way sports fans collect memorabilia, but with one difference -- his collection is priceless.

TAX MAN
Don't bother filing an extension, Jim Caple gives you some last-minute tax advice with some assistance from pro athletes' accountants.

THE SPORTS GUY
Page 2's Bill Simmons rolls on with part 2 of his NBA awards -- with help from the movie "Rounders."
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


If the Red Wings' Steve Yzerman, left, were to grow his hair out, he might be a dead ringer for actor Johnny Depp, the star of "Blow" and "Chocolat." Page 2 has received 36 requests for this match. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.

Canucks at Red Wings
7 p.m. ET, ESPN (regional)
NHL's highest-scoring teams clash in Game 1 (or Devils at Hurricanes).
 
Kings at Lakers
10:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Sacramento and L.A. send each other messages before playoffs.
 
Coyotes at Sharks
10 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Game 1 between these Pacific Division rivals.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Tues., April 16: Tuesday Morning QB
• Mon., April 15: The Master
• Fri., April 12: Just say YES!
• Thurs., April 11: Uppin' the Ante

Other featured content:
• Bizarre & Bogus
• What the Heck Are They Thinking?
• 10 Burning Questions for Samuel L. Jackson
• Mystery Photo: Broderick in the swing
• Anna Kournikova vs. Marilyn Monroe
• Makin' it Better: Seahawks uniforms
• 10 Burning Questions for Dennis Quaid
Wednesday, April 17, 2002
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