NHL Playoff Preview (Part 2)
Edited: I wrote this last night, but it never posted I guess? So I as I try again, I hope none of the games going on right now make me look foolish. :)
Western Conference:
2) Dallas vs. 7) Colorado
Dallas has to be the least hyped great team in the league. All year, they flew under the radar, quietly winning 53 games along the way. They are solid in every area: a gamebreaker in Mike Modano plus good scoring depth up front, a good defensive core, and great goaltending from Marty Turco. For some reason, their power play, despite having a solid quarterback in Sergei Zubov was only 20th in the league. Besides that, the really have no weaknesses. Colorado was supposed to suffer from the lack of high-priced stars Peter Forsberg (see below) and Adam Foote. Instead, they reloaded and are back again in the playoffs. Quiet star Joe Sakic is still their Mr. Everything, chipping in another point-per-game season in his Hall of Fame career. Their goaltending is uncertain to say the least, with newly acquired Jose Theodore (save percentage of only .882 in this nightmarish year) being expected to carry the load. Dallas is simply better than Colorado in every area, and the Avs are not feared as they once were- Stars in 6. What to watch for: Mike Modano carrying the puck in full flight- prettiest skater to watch in the league.
Eastern Conference:
4) Buffalo vs. 5) Philadelphia
I don't know how Buffalo won so many games this season. I look at the stats, marvel at how they have suceeded all season long with scoring by committee (an amazing 10 players have at least 15 goals) and good defense. Goaltender Ryan Miller has become a star, and wins some games by himself. This team is young, quick, and eager. In contrast, the Flyers have not quite come together, plagued by injuries and problems fitting in all the new players added over the course of the past year or so. The Flyers play a more bruising style of game, banging you up and down the wall. On both teams, the goaltending is good but without much playoff experience. The Flyers have been worse than the sum of their parts, the Sabres better. But the Flyers have better parts, and that should be enough to take this series in 7 games. What to watch for: Peter Forsberg may be the best all around player in hockey- pretty passes and huge hits.
3) New Jersey vs. 6) New York Rangers
Two teams going in totally opposite directions meet in this battle for New York. The Devils won their last 10 games, in skating past Philadelphia and New York (losers of 5 in a row) to win the Atlantic division. Brian Gionta scored a francise record 48 goals (half on the power play) and Patrick Elias was excellent following his return (45 points in just 38 games). The defense is good but not great, and their penalty killing is surprisingly bad at 16th overall. Martin Brodeur is still in goal, and that is enough said about the best, most clutch goalie of his generation. New York had a rennaisance season, making the playoffs for the first time in forever. As much as I despise him, I am a long time Caps fan, Jaromir Jagr should be the league's MVP this season. Although he lost the scoring title to San Jose's Joe Thornton in the last week of the season, he had 54 goals to Thornton's 29. The next highest scorer on the Rangers behind Jagr's 123 points is Michael Nylander with just 79. The defense is mediocre and soft, without much scoring punch- although adding Sandis Ozolinsh at the dealine helps that. In goal, rookie sensation Hendrik Lundquist is coming back from an injury, and gave up 5 to Ottawa in his only game back before the playoffs. The Rangers had lots of opportunities to play big games down the stretch and did not come up big in any of them. This team still needs character type players which New Jersey has in abundance. That, plus Broduer in goal, give the Devils a win in 6 games. What to watch for: How much passion will the Rangers bring against their cross-town rivals? My guess is, this European-dominated lineup does not have enough grit to stick it out.
2) Carolina vs. 7) Montreal
My first thought is...who cares? Carolina has suceeded beyond all expectations this year, and Eric Staal surprised everyone by putting up 100 points this year. Goaltender Martin Gerber finally got a shot at a number one job and played great, winning 38 games. But, they do not excite me, and I cannot see me watching much of this one. Montreal is a hard team to figure out- they traded for David Aebischer to be their number 1 goalie following his impressive Olympics, but watched Cristobal Huet be dynamite down the stretch, stopping almost 93 percent of the shots he faced. No one on this team had over 65 points, and only Michael Ryder scored 30 goals- exactly 30. They do not have enough firepower to comptete, and are relying on their goaltending to get it done. Carolina is better in every area, and while Montreal's goalies may steal a game or to, they should get it done in 6. What to watch for: The Canadiens wear the simplest, classiest, uniforms in hockey, the Hurricanes are simply unwatchable in their disgusting sweaters. Plus, the name maybe not the best this year (at least New Orlenas doesn't have a franchise).
Western Conference:
2) Dallas vs. 7) Colorado
Dallas has to be the least hyped great team in the league. All year, they flew under the radar, quietly winning 53 games along the way. They are solid in every area: a gamebreaker in Mike Modano plus good scoring depth up front, a good defensive core, and great goaltending from Marty Turco. For some reason, their power play, despite having a solid quarterback in Sergei Zubov was only 20th in the league. Besides that, the really have no weaknesses. Colorado was supposed to suffer from the lack of high-priced stars Peter Forsberg (see below) and Adam Foote. Instead, they reloaded and are back again in the playoffs. Quiet star Joe Sakic is still their Mr. Everything, chipping in another point-per-game season in his Hall of Fame career. Their goaltending is uncertain to say the least, with newly acquired Jose Theodore (save percentage of only .882 in this nightmarish year) being expected to carry the load. Dallas is simply better than Colorado in every area, and the Avs are not feared as they once were- Stars in 6. What to watch for: Mike Modano carrying the puck in full flight- prettiest skater to watch in the league.
Eastern Conference:
4) Buffalo vs. 5) Philadelphia
I don't know how Buffalo won so many games this season. I look at the stats, marvel at how they have suceeded all season long with scoring by committee (an amazing 10 players have at least 15 goals) and good defense. Goaltender Ryan Miller has become a star, and wins some games by himself. This team is young, quick, and eager. In contrast, the Flyers have not quite come together, plagued by injuries and problems fitting in all the new players added over the course of the past year or so. The Flyers play a more bruising style of game, banging you up and down the wall. On both teams, the goaltending is good but without much playoff experience. The Flyers have been worse than the sum of their parts, the Sabres better. But the Flyers have better parts, and that should be enough to take this series in 7 games. What to watch for: Peter Forsberg may be the best all around player in hockey- pretty passes and huge hits.
3) New Jersey vs. 6) New York Rangers
Two teams going in totally opposite directions meet in this battle for New York. The Devils won their last 10 games, in skating past Philadelphia and New York (losers of 5 in a row) to win the Atlantic division. Brian Gionta scored a francise record 48 goals (half on the power play) and Patrick Elias was excellent following his return (45 points in just 38 games). The defense is good but not great, and their penalty killing is surprisingly bad at 16th overall. Martin Brodeur is still in goal, and that is enough said about the best, most clutch goalie of his generation. New York had a rennaisance season, making the playoffs for the first time in forever. As much as I despise him, I am a long time Caps fan, Jaromir Jagr should be the league's MVP this season. Although he lost the scoring title to San Jose's Joe Thornton in the last week of the season, he had 54 goals to Thornton's 29. The next highest scorer on the Rangers behind Jagr's 123 points is Michael Nylander with just 79. The defense is mediocre and soft, without much scoring punch- although adding Sandis Ozolinsh at the dealine helps that. In goal, rookie sensation Hendrik Lundquist is coming back from an injury, and gave up 5 to Ottawa in his only game back before the playoffs. The Rangers had lots of opportunities to play big games down the stretch and did not come up big in any of them. This team still needs character type players which New Jersey has in abundance. That, plus Broduer in goal, give the Devils a win in 6 games. What to watch for: How much passion will the Rangers bring against their cross-town rivals? My guess is, this European-dominated lineup does not have enough grit to stick it out.
2) Carolina vs. 7) Montreal
My first thought is...who cares? Carolina has suceeded beyond all expectations this year, and Eric Staal surprised everyone by putting up 100 points this year. Goaltender Martin Gerber finally got a shot at a number one job and played great, winning 38 games. But, they do not excite me, and I cannot see me watching much of this one. Montreal is a hard team to figure out- they traded for David Aebischer to be their number 1 goalie following his impressive Olympics, but watched Cristobal Huet be dynamite down the stretch, stopping almost 93 percent of the shots he faced. No one on this team had over 65 points, and only Michael Ryder scored 30 goals- exactly 30. They do not have enough firepower to comptete, and are relying on their goaltending to get it done. Carolina is better in every area, and while Montreal's goalies may steal a game or to, they should get it done in 6. What to watch for: The Canadiens wear the simplest, classiest, uniforms in hockey, the Hurricanes are simply unwatchable in their disgusting sweaters. Plus, the name maybe not the best this year (at least New Orlenas doesn't have a franchise).
posted by Scott L. Stuart at
3:20 PM
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