Of course, the big mystery here is who owned the ring in the first place. The listing goes to great length to establish that it belonged to a “former player,” but no where does it mention the player’s name. Even in the close up pictures, the name and position have been blacked out. Curiously, though, the seller notes at the bottom of the listing, “This is NOT the ring of a player who may have been dismissed from the team!!!” Exclamation mark abuse aside, this seems to eliminate Ramonce “Five Pound Bag O’Weed” Taylor from the list of possible suspects. But one would think that an athlete would not part with such an item except in a case of financial duress, such as a large legal bill or maybe a misunderstanding with a guy named Guido.

If you happen to know any more about this ring and where it came from, or if you happen to be the winning bidder, we’d love to get an e-mail from you.

In other playoff action:

Oilers 4, Red Wings 2
After taking Detroit to double overtime Friday night, Edmonton needed just 60 minutes to dispatch the President’s Cup winners and tie their playoff series. Henrik Zetterberg gave the Red Wings a 2-1 lead in the second period, but Fernando Pisani and Brad Winchester scored within a minute of each other to put the Oilers on top.

Lightning 4, Senators 3
Tampa Bay struck back after getting bitch slapped in Game 1, stealing a road win from Ottawa with the help of Martin St. Louis. The former MVP scored twice, including the game winner six minutes into the final period. Ottawa held a 3-2 lead in the final frame on a goal from Peter Schaefer, but then a breakdown allowed Dan Boyle and St. Louis to score within a minute of each other to put the “defending champions” in the lead.

Mighty Ducks 4, Flames 3
Calgary gave up two goals in the first period and never recovered as Anaheim rolled to series-tying victory. Chris Kunitz opened the scoring midway through the opening frame, but then defenseman Scott Niedermayer made the big play of the night when he stole the puck from a stunned Matthew Lombardi and scored a shorthanded goal on the breakaway.

On Tap Tonight
Canadiens at Hurricanes (Montreal leads series 1-0) 7:00 PM EDT
Flyers at Sabres (Buffalo leads series 1-0) 7:00 PM EDT
Rangers at Devils (New Jersey leads series 1-0) 7:00 PM EDT
Avalanche at Stars (Colorado leads series 1-0) 9:00 PM EDT

While the media is reporting on Vince Young and his otherworldly performance in the Rose Bowl, only oddsnark has the scoop on the true MVPs of the game.

Here’s to you, Upside-Down Ottoman and Upside-Down Wooden Table Thingy. While oddJosh had discovered during the Texas-OSU game that lifting Ottoman in the air and holding him upside down caused good things to happen for the Horns, it wasn’t until the 4th quarter of last night’s Rose Bowl game that the true upside-down power of inanimate objects was unleashed, with Wooden Table Thingy joining the fray.

The tandem proved unstoppable, with Texas immediately rallying and erasing a big deficit, pulling out the win.

Upside-Down Ottoman wouldn’t comment on reports that he might go pro after the game, but Wooden Table Thingy promised he’d be back for another year, playing his inanimate, upside-down heart out.

Senators 3, Capitals 1
In the penalty box: Matt Leinart, for not fully grasping the idea that your coach wanted to draw UT offsides and was trying to call time out when you attempted a quarterback sneak on fourth and one from 17-yard line. Or were you too busy thinking about that girl you met in NYC?

Thrashers 3, Hurricanes 4
In the penalty box: Pete Carroll for calling a screen pass while your team is holding a five-point lead and driving to run out the clock with under three minutes to play. Leinart’s throw falls to Brandon Hancock’s feet, clock stops, LanDale White (not Mr. Heisman Trophy winner) fails to pick up the first, Texas gets the ball, you lose, game over.

Predators 4, Blues 3
In the penalty box: Keith Jackson and Dan Fouts, for the scramjet-decibel level of the histrionics and hyperbole surrounding this game, these teams, the players, and the coaches. You’d have thought they never saw a football game before.

Canucks 1, Stars 3
In the penalty box: ABC Sports. Your BCS coverage had it all this year: AJ Hawk nailing the Irish (and their sisters), the Mountaineers and the Bulldogs combining for 73 points in the Defenseless Bowl, septuagenarians consternated by kickers for three overtimes, and now THE GREATEST FOOTBALL GAME THAT EVER WAS OR EVER WILL BE PLAYED. Too bad you walked away from a contract extension this past summer, though I’m sure FOX will enjoy trying to outdo your over-the-top coverage next season.

Seriously, though, congratulations to the University of Texas football team and all its fans for their national championship victory. Well played. Now, can we get on with hockey already? (After the Super Bowl, I mean.)

On Tap Tonight
Senators (28-7-3) at Bruins (14-19-6) 7:00 PM EST
Lightning (21-17-3) at Sabres (26-12-2) 7:00 PM EST
Flyers (25-8-6) at Rangers (22-12-6) 7:00 PM EST
Canadiens (18-14-6) at Devils (17-18-5) 7:30 PM EST
Blues (10-23-5) at Red Wings (26-10-3) 7:30 PM EST
Avalanche (21-17-3) at Wild (19-17-4) 8:00 PM EST
Canucks (21-14-5) at Blackhawks (13-22-4) 8:30 PM EST
Coyotes (20-18-2) at Kings (26-14-2) 10:30 PM EST
Blue Jackets (12-26-1) at Sharks (16-16-5) 10:30 PM EST

What a picture. Almost seems wrong to interrupt such a heartwarming moment. Oh, well.

HEY, BRISTOL — SUCK IT!

Judging by the expression on Laura Quinn’s face when her boyfriend leveled her brother, A. J. will be suffering himself for about a week.

The compliance issue is related to the actions of John Papadakis, a former USC linebacker, who owns the Greek restaurant in San Pedro called Papadakis Taverna. He reportedly has a recruiting speech he gives to prospective players that includes asking them to declare, “I want to be a Trojan.”

As a former player, Papadakis is prohibited from speaking to recruits about USC football.

According to the restaurant’s Web site, dining at Papadakis Taverna is a highly entertaining experience:

“You’ll be sent on a gastronomical adventure peppered with some of the countries most beautiful works of art, all throughout the dining room, then culminating with first-class entertainment comprised of Greek & Belly dancing as well as old-fashioned, American entertainment!”

John Papadakis runs the restaurant with his brother Tom.

“The Papadakis brothers, both former-star athletes translate this prowess into a nightly, exhilarating and dramatic Greek dancing extravaganza performed for the enjoyment of their guests.”

Just mind you don’t translate that prowess into a recruiting violation.