After a strong performance in the first round, I stumbled in the second. I went 6/8 in the first round, incorrectly choosing the choke artists San Jose Sharks and surprisingly weak closers New Jersey Devils. However, I did pick every other series correctly and I had hoped to carry on my strong showing. Unfortunately, the Hurricanes once again thwarted my plan, beating the Bruins in 7. The Canucks also apparently did not want to follow my predictions and decided to let in 7 goals in the deciding game 6. Did I expect Roberto Luongo, maybe the best goalie in the league to let in 7 goals in the most important game of his career? I can honestly say I was shocked. Despite my less than passing grade of 50% in the last round, I think, nay, I know I will get back on my feet and go 2 for 2 in the upcoming series.
2) Detroit Red Wings vs. 4) Chicago Black Hawks
Before this season started, these two teams had two things in common, they are both Original 6 teams and they both play in the Central Division. Now they have one more, they are in the Western Conference Finals and that is it. These two classic teams could not be more opposite. One the one hand, you have Detroit who currently has the shortest Stanley Cup drought in the NHL, as they just won the Cup last spring. On the other hand, Chicago has the longest, having never won the championship since 1961. Detroit is captained by Swedish defensman Nicklas Lidstrom, the 38 year old veteran who has won four Stanley Cups. Chicago is captained by center Jonathan Toews, the 21-year old who was drafted three years ago. This matchup is the quintessential youth versus experience, speed versus knowledge, and Chicago versus Detroit. Much like the Bulls in the 1980s, the Black Hawks are coming in without any experience but a lot of firepower. Besides Toews, Chicago will rely on 20-year old and reigning Calder Cup Trophy (Best rookie) winner Patrick Kane, and 28-year old Martin Havlat for their scoring punch. In terms of keeping the puck out of their net, Chicago has a strong arsenal of young defenseman and if Detroit gets past them, they will have the get by goalie Nikolai "The Bulin Wall" Khabibulin, Chicago's lone Stanley Cup winner. Khabibulin led the Tampa Bay Lightning to the ultimate prize in 2004 and many believe he should have won the Conn Smythe Trophy (Most valuable player in the playoffs). He is proven and if he gets hot, he'll be hard to beat. Obviously Detroit has their own line up of deadly snipers and solid defenseman but they have yet to see a team with as much speed as the Black Hawks. The Blackhawks have already beaten two of the best goalies in the league in the past two rounds and Detroit's Chris Osgood is no Luongo or Mikka Kiprusoff. Osgood has led his team to the cup before but that was behind great defenses. If Chicago is able to use its speed and energy to get by and tire the Red Wings, this series could go either way. After doubting this young team last round, I will be expecting the upset.
Chicago in 6
Eastern Conference
4) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 6) Carolina Hurricanes
What I did not realize when I choose the Devils and then the Bruins over the Hurricanes was that Hurricane's goalie Cam Ward does not like to lose. Leading back to their Stanley Cup run in 2006, when he won the Smythe Trophy, Ward has yet to lose a playoff series in his career, going 6-0 thus far. Sidney Crosby and his fellow offensively talented Penguins hope to change this streak. After dismantling the Capitals in game 7 after a long and hard fought series, the Penguins are looking like an unstoppable offensive force, especially Crosby. Crosby, usually the set-up man, has scored 12 goals in 13 games so far in the playoffs and has had help. Evengi Malkin also began to contribute to the stat sheet after starting off the Washington series a little slow. However, the X-factor for the Penguins will be the play of third line center Jordan Staal. Staal will probably be matched up against his older brother and Carolina center Eric Staal, and their play may determine the series. If J. Staal is able to shut down his big brother and manage the put a few in the back of the net, the Penguins will be golden. If E. Staal runs all over his little brother and continues to be the goal scoring machine he has been so far, this series could go on longer than expected. While Jordan Staal and his line will take on much of the burden of stopping Carolina's first line, he will be helped by strong defensive play, especially out of veteran Rob Scuderi. Scuderi was the unsung hero of the Washington series, shutting down superstar Alexander Ovechkin more often than not. Although Ovechkin still put up his fair share of goals, and there were many, Scuderi held him in check with his shot blocking and strong checking ability. The Penguins may want to use a similar game plan by having Scuderi shadow E. Staal to prevent any openings. The Penguins are more talented and are better than Carolina at its own game. If the Penguins raise their play, as they have been doing, and do not allow the Hurricanes to feed of its momentum, a birth in the Finals should be in the bag. Sorry Ward, I still do not believe in you.
Penguins in 6
-A.S.
No comments:
Post a Comment