Thursday, May 18, 2006
Conference Finals Preview
The Eastern and Western Conference finals are about to begin, with Edmonton and Anaheim dropping the puck on Friday, while Buffalo and Carolina get together on Saturday. Nobody could have predicted that these four teams, who all missed the playoffs in 2003-04, would be meeting for the right to play for the Stanley Cup. This is a strong sign that the league is perhaps as competitive as it has ever been and that any club has a chance to win it all in any given year.
Carolina vs Buffalo
Past history: These old Adams division rivals (going back to Carolina's days as the Hartford Whalers) have surprisingly never met each other in the playoffs. The Hurricanes have only made it as far as round three once in thier 26 seasons in the NHL, in 2002 when they defeated Toronto four games to two before losing the Detroit in the final. Buffalo has made it to the semi-final/conference final four times, winning twice. The most recent was a victory in 1999, also over the Maple Leafs. They would lose to Dallas in the final on Brett Hull's infamous "foot in the crease" goal.
Up front: The Sabres have gotten this far based on their ability to roll four lines consistently. Buffalo has gotten big goals from many different forwards all through the playoffs. All four of Buffalo's centermen have at least ten points, so it will be difficult for the Hurricanes checkers to key on one line. Carolina is also deep at the forward position, but have rellied a little more heavily on Eric Staal and Rod Brind'Amour (who also doubles as a superb checking center) to carry the offensive load.
Defensively: Two unheralded defense corps, who some beleived would be these two teams' undoings, go up against each other. As they have in the past, Carolina may elect to dress seven d-men, Oleg Tverdovsky being the seventh, in an effort to spread minutes around. There is no single stud defenseman, but rather a dependable group of veterns. Buffalo's blueline is also devoid of any stars, but like the Hurricanes, depends on consistent play from all six members. The Sabres do boast a little more offensive punch in the form of Henrik Tallinder, and Brian Campbell, though the latter has been a little quiet on the scoresheet to this point.
In net: Cam Ward rescued the 'Canes in round one, and aside from one bad outing against the Devils, has performed soundly, as his 8-1 record as a starter would suggest. Ryan Miller shut down Ottawa's big guns and comes into the series playing his best hockey yet.
Prediction: An extremely close call, but Carolina's game-breaker (Staal) and veteran savvy might just be enough for them to squeek past a determined Sabres squad. Hurricanes in 7. (Interesting fact: The Hurricanes/Whalers franchise has never won a game 7. They are 0-3 all-time is such contests, the last being a loss to Montreal in 1992)
Anaheim vs Edmonton
Past history: These two clubs are meeting for the first time in post-season play. The Ducks' only appearance in the conference final was in 2003 when they swept Minnesota before losing to New Jersey in a seven game final. Edmonton has ventured this deep into the playoffs eight times, but not since 1992, when they lost to Chicago.
Up front: In what is becoming a theme in these playoffs, both teams can comfortably play four lines. Youngsters Joffrey Lupul, Chris Kunitz, and Dustin Penner have performed admirably in their first playoff run, while Teemu Selanne has continued his resurgent play, and shut-down pivot Todd Marchant is a +10 while chipping in eight points. On the Edmonton side, Shawn Horcoff and Ryan Smyth are averaging over a point per game, but like the Ducks, the Oilers have been able to score by commitee, including a seven goal output by unsung Fernando Pisani.
Defensively: A head-to-head battle between Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer looms. Both reargaurds have anchored thier teams' bluelines both in their own end and offensively. The Oiler's have gotten more offence from their defense as a whole, while also keeping the puck out of thier own net. They are also tremendous shot blockers. While Anaheim's sturdy defenders are certainly no slouches, this may be the lone area where one team has a noticeable advantage.
Goaltending: Ilya Bryzgalov took over for the injured J.S. Giguere in round one and only proceded to post three consecutive shutouts. He is on fire, playing very similar to the way Giguere did in Anaheim's '03 run. If he should suddenly falter, he has a Conn Smythe winner backing him up as insurance. In the Oilers cage, Dwayne Roloson is playing the best hockey of his career at precisely the right time, giving his team the goaltending they lacked all year until his mid-March arrival.
Prediction: The Oilers come in with momentum, and while the Ducks have won six straight contests, they have not played for a week and may show rust. The Oilers are in the unfamiliar position of having more key veteran leaders than their opponent, plus the Stanley Cup rings possesed by their coaching staff. That, along with a more well rounded defense will give them the advantage. Oilers in 5. (Interesting fact: The Oilers swept the Ducks 4-0 in the season series, and you have to go back to 1998 to find the last time Anaheim won in Edmonton)
Carolina vs Buffalo
Past history: These old Adams division rivals (going back to Carolina's days as the Hartford Whalers) have surprisingly never met each other in the playoffs. The Hurricanes have only made it as far as round three once in thier 26 seasons in the NHL, in 2002 when they defeated Toronto four games to two before losing the Detroit in the final. Buffalo has made it to the semi-final/conference final four times, winning twice. The most recent was a victory in 1999, also over the Maple Leafs. They would lose to Dallas in the final on Brett Hull's infamous "foot in the crease" goal.
Up front: The Sabres have gotten this far based on their ability to roll four lines consistently. Buffalo has gotten big goals from many different forwards all through the playoffs. All four of Buffalo's centermen have at least ten points, so it will be difficult for the Hurricanes checkers to key on one line. Carolina is also deep at the forward position, but have rellied a little more heavily on Eric Staal and Rod Brind'Amour (who also doubles as a superb checking center) to carry the offensive load.
Defensively: Two unheralded defense corps, who some beleived would be these two teams' undoings, go up against each other. As they have in the past, Carolina may elect to dress seven d-men, Oleg Tverdovsky being the seventh, in an effort to spread minutes around. There is no single stud defenseman, but rather a dependable group of veterns. Buffalo's blueline is also devoid of any stars, but like the Hurricanes, depends on consistent play from all six members. The Sabres do boast a little more offensive punch in the form of Henrik Tallinder, and Brian Campbell, though the latter has been a little quiet on the scoresheet to this point.
In net: Cam Ward rescued the 'Canes in round one, and aside from one bad outing against the Devils, has performed soundly, as his 8-1 record as a starter would suggest. Ryan Miller shut down Ottawa's big guns and comes into the series playing his best hockey yet.
Prediction: An extremely close call, but Carolina's game-breaker (Staal) and veteran savvy might just be enough for them to squeek past a determined Sabres squad. Hurricanes in 7. (Interesting fact: The Hurricanes/Whalers franchise has never won a game 7. They are 0-3 all-time is such contests, the last being a loss to Montreal in 1992)
Anaheim vs Edmonton
Past history: These two clubs are meeting for the first time in post-season play. The Ducks' only appearance in the conference final was in 2003 when they swept Minnesota before losing to New Jersey in a seven game final. Edmonton has ventured this deep into the playoffs eight times, but not since 1992, when they lost to Chicago.
Up front: In what is becoming a theme in these playoffs, both teams can comfortably play four lines. Youngsters Joffrey Lupul, Chris Kunitz, and Dustin Penner have performed admirably in their first playoff run, while Teemu Selanne has continued his resurgent play, and shut-down pivot Todd Marchant is a +10 while chipping in eight points. On the Edmonton side, Shawn Horcoff and Ryan Smyth are averaging over a point per game, but like the Ducks, the Oilers have been able to score by commitee, including a seven goal output by unsung Fernando Pisani.
Defensively: A head-to-head battle between Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer looms. Both reargaurds have anchored thier teams' bluelines both in their own end and offensively. The Oiler's have gotten more offence from their defense as a whole, while also keeping the puck out of thier own net. They are also tremendous shot blockers. While Anaheim's sturdy defenders are certainly no slouches, this may be the lone area where one team has a noticeable advantage.
Goaltending: Ilya Bryzgalov took over for the injured J.S. Giguere in round one and only proceded to post three consecutive shutouts. He is on fire, playing very similar to the way Giguere did in Anaheim's '03 run. If he should suddenly falter, he has a Conn Smythe winner backing him up as insurance. In the Oilers cage, Dwayne Roloson is playing the best hockey of his career at precisely the right time, giving his team the goaltending they lacked all year until his mid-March arrival.
Prediction: The Oilers come in with momentum, and while the Ducks have won six straight contests, they have not played for a week and may show rust. The Oilers are in the unfamiliar position of having more key veteran leaders than their opponent, plus the Stanley Cup rings possesed by their coaching staff. That, along with a more well rounded defense will give them the advantage. Oilers in 5. (Interesting fact: The Oilers swept the Ducks 4-0 in the season series, and you have to go back to 1998 to find the last time Anaheim won in Edmonton)
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