Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2008 12:12:23 GMT -5
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Calgary Flames vs (8) Columbus Blue Jackets
The Flames are designed to score, plain and simple. Calgary, being the only team to score more than 300 goals this season, as well as receiving scoring from 7 different forwards proves that they are without a doubt a balanced attack. “We just try to aim for the net, and make things hard for the other team. We’re going to try to do the same to Columbus,” smiled Dany Heatley The Flames also boast a lineup of young and talented offensive weapons including the likes of Alexander Frolov and Evgeni Malkin.
Columbus will have to rely on their balanced attack of the bump and grind style they play. The feisty group of Whitney, Langkow and Tkachuk will have to prove that they will be able to hold their own on the offensive score board, through their playoff experience and leadership. Although these experienced veterans will be called upon to show the way, Don Cherry stresses the point that it isn’t just the veterans that have to be called upon. “Guys like Carter, Koivu, Cleary and Stajan gotta be held responsible too, they have a role to play.”
Many are concerned that the Blue Jackets would have been just happy to make the playoffs, but as Tkachuk states “We’re glad to have made the big dance, we just gotta show that we deserve to be here now.” Look for the Flames balanced attack to take it to the Jackets and with this, they will be too much for the underdogs to handle.
Prediction: Flames sweep in 4
(2) San Jose Sharks vs (7) Pheonix Coyotes
The San Jose Sharks are well too familiar with the JGHL Playoffs and they don’t have a short memory. Coming off of what they feel was an early exit to the hands of the Chicago Blackhawks in the semi-finals last season, they feel they have a lot to prove. “I think the difference between last season, and this season is that this season our best players have been our best players,” added coach Yzerman. Although Joe Thornton finished the playoffs with 17 points in 14 playoff games, often within the season and playoffs he was criticized for not stepping up when it counted. The Sharks will rely on their experienced first line to lead the way through their offensive savy, while the second line of Staal, Tanguay and Vyborny will be looked upon to provide the secondary scoring. Aside from the front scoring, the Sharks have proved that their defensive unit is also deadly. Their top four defenseman are among the team leaders in scoring and also add to the second ranked power play in the league. Aside from their balanced group, the Sharks will also look to answer all controversy between the pipes, as we saw Rick Dipietro pulled quickly in the beginning of the playoffs to make way for Chris Osgood. “I’m going to try to re-deem myself. The past is the past. We have a new team, and new energy. It’s not going to be a worry.”
The Phoenix Coyotes however, boast a young, talented and confident variety of stars. Led by Chris Drury, the Coyotes have proven that they have the potential to put the puck in the net with the likes of Anze Kopitar, Andrew Brunette and Dustin Brown, but averaged a little less than 3 goals per game all season. If the Coyotes wish to upset the Sharks in this quarterfinal series, they will definitely rely on Goaltender Mathieu Biron who has been stellar down the stretch to push the Coyotes into the post season. The experienced blue line in Chelios, Norstrom, White and Boucher will be expected to shut down the attack of the San Jose as this will be an interesting battle in its own.
Prediction: Sharks in 5
(3) Colorado Avalanche vs. (6) Nashville Predators
This encounter of the Avalanche and the Predators proves to display two teams that are quite different. The Avalanche, who have just about had it with many writing them off as “just a playoff team” are bound to prove that they can still contend with the big boys. However, the key for this team is strictly special teams. The Avalanche ice the ninth best power play in the JGHL, but more impressively are home to the best penalty kill in the league, but the Predators’ Ryan Getzlaf isn’t too impressed. “Could it be because they only take about a penalty or two a game?” Despite the penalty minutes, the Avalanche believe they have the ability to reduce the effectiveness of the fourth best power play in the league. “We truly believe that we can stop any team in the league, and that doesn’t excuse Predators,” a determined Joe Sakic explained They’re going to be a challenge, but we’re up for it. This team has the ability to do some damage this year.”
The Predators differ from the Avalanche in the sense that they are in the midst of finding an identity for a team that has been up and down all season. It had seemed the Predators would have been in trouble of making the playoffs, until they had went on a 7 game winning streak. The Preds will have to have Iginla lead the way, alongside Markus Naslund, Mike Cammelleri, Thomas Vanek and Ryan Getzlaf in order to upset the Avalanche. The power play will also have to come up huge, as Scott Neidermeyer, Dan Boyle and Pavel Kubina will have to play a huge role. Also, expect that if this does indeed come down to goaltending, Huet will have the edge as per experience.
Prediction: Predators in 7
(4) Anaheim Ducks vs. (5) Minnesota Wild
If there ever was a match-up to keep your eyes glued to, this would be the series. The Ducks and Wild boast two of the most entertaining teams in the league. Both teams have proven they can put the puck in the net, and have great goaltending. Although the Ducks have won the season series, they acknowledge that the post season can in the most cases prove this as a useless stat. “The regular season is over, the game is totally different in the playoffs. Mistakes are magnified, and great plays are remembered as moments. We want to pay attention to every detail,” Gretzky added in the early press conference. Coach Gretzky will lead the likes of Lecavalier, St. Louis and Horton into battle against the Wild’s feisty group led by Zubrus, Gagne and Comrie. The Wild have speed, aggression and a bit of an experimental element that has seen proven playmaker Sergei Fedorov move to the blue line to give a more offensive touch. This Wild team has been known to fire many shots on net, and allow just as many on goaltender Vokoun. This should be of some indication that this series will come down to great goaltending, and may showcase one of the best goaltending duels of the first round in Kolzig vs Vokoun. If this is the case, look for Kolzig to get the best of Vokoun.
Prediction: Wild in 6
(1) Calgary Flames vs (8) Columbus Blue Jackets
The Flames are designed to score, plain and simple. Calgary, being the only team to score more than 300 goals this season, as well as receiving scoring from 7 different forwards proves that they are without a doubt a balanced attack. “We just try to aim for the net, and make things hard for the other team. We’re going to try to do the same to Columbus,” smiled Dany Heatley The Flames also boast a lineup of young and talented offensive weapons including the likes of Alexander Frolov and Evgeni Malkin.
Columbus will have to rely on their balanced attack of the bump and grind style they play. The feisty group of Whitney, Langkow and Tkachuk will have to prove that they will be able to hold their own on the offensive score board, through their playoff experience and leadership. Although these experienced veterans will be called upon to show the way, Don Cherry stresses the point that it isn’t just the veterans that have to be called upon. “Guys like Carter, Koivu, Cleary and Stajan gotta be held responsible too, they have a role to play.”
Many are concerned that the Blue Jackets would have been just happy to make the playoffs, but as Tkachuk states “We’re glad to have made the big dance, we just gotta show that we deserve to be here now.” Look for the Flames balanced attack to take it to the Jackets and with this, they will be too much for the underdogs to handle.
Prediction: Flames sweep in 4
(2) San Jose Sharks vs (7) Pheonix Coyotes
The San Jose Sharks are well too familiar with the JGHL Playoffs and they don’t have a short memory. Coming off of what they feel was an early exit to the hands of the Chicago Blackhawks in the semi-finals last season, they feel they have a lot to prove. “I think the difference between last season, and this season is that this season our best players have been our best players,” added coach Yzerman. Although Joe Thornton finished the playoffs with 17 points in 14 playoff games, often within the season and playoffs he was criticized for not stepping up when it counted. The Sharks will rely on their experienced first line to lead the way through their offensive savy, while the second line of Staal, Tanguay and Vyborny will be looked upon to provide the secondary scoring. Aside from the front scoring, the Sharks have proved that their defensive unit is also deadly. Their top four defenseman are among the team leaders in scoring and also add to the second ranked power play in the league. Aside from their balanced group, the Sharks will also look to answer all controversy between the pipes, as we saw Rick Dipietro pulled quickly in the beginning of the playoffs to make way for Chris Osgood. “I’m going to try to re-deem myself. The past is the past. We have a new team, and new energy. It’s not going to be a worry.”
The Phoenix Coyotes however, boast a young, talented and confident variety of stars. Led by Chris Drury, the Coyotes have proven that they have the potential to put the puck in the net with the likes of Anze Kopitar, Andrew Brunette and Dustin Brown, but averaged a little less than 3 goals per game all season. If the Coyotes wish to upset the Sharks in this quarterfinal series, they will definitely rely on Goaltender Mathieu Biron who has been stellar down the stretch to push the Coyotes into the post season. The experienced blue line in Chelios, Norstrom, White and Boucher will be expected to shut down the attack of the San Jose as this will be an interesting battle in its own.
Prediction: Sharks in 5
(3) Colorado Avalanche vs. (6) Nashville Predators
This encounter of the Avalanche and the Predators proves to display two teams that are quite different. The Avalanche, who have just about had it with many writing them off as “just a playoff team” are bound to prove that they can still contend with the big boys. However, the key for this team is strictly special teams. The Avalanche ice the ninth best power play in the JGHL, but more impressively are home to the best penalty kill in the league, but the Predators’ Ryan Getzlaf isn’t too impressed. “Could it be because they only take about a penalty or two a game?” Despite the penalty minutes, the Avalanche believe they have the ability to reduce the effectiveness of the fourth best power play in the league. “We truly believe that we can stop any team in the league, and that doesn’t excuse Predators,” a determined Joe Sakic explained They’re going to be a challenge, but we’re up for it. This team has the ability to do some damage this year.”
The Predators differ from the Avalanche in the sense that they are in the midst of finding an identity for a team that has been up and down all season. It had seemed the Predators would have been in trouble of making the playoffs, until they had went on a 7 game winning streak. The Preds will have to have Iginla lead the way, alongside Markus Naslund, Mike Cammelleri, Thomas Vanek and Ryan Getzlaf in order to upset the Avalanche. The power play will also have to come up huge, as Scott Neidermeyer, Dan Boyle and Pavel Kubina will have to play a huge role. Also, expect that if this does indeed come down to goaltending, Huet will have the edge as per experience.
Prediction: Predators in 7
(4) Anaheim Ducks vs. (5) Minnesota Wild
If there ever was a match-up to keep your eyes glued to, this would be the series. The Ducks and Wild boast two of the most entertaining teams in the league. Both teams have proven they can put the puck in the net, and have great goaltending. Although the Ducks have won the season series, they acknowledge that the post season can in the most cases prove this as a useless stat. “The regular season is over, the game is totally different in the playoffs. Mistakes are magnified, and great plays are remembered as moments. We want to pay attention to every detail,” Gretzky added in the early press conference. Coach Gretzky will lead the likes of Lecavalier, St. Louis and Horton into battle against the Wild’s feisty group led by Zubrus, Gagne and Comrie. The Wild have speed, aggression and a bit of an experimental element that has seen proven playmaker Sergei Fedorov move to the blue line to give a more offensive touch. This Wild team has been known to fire many shots on net, and allow just as many on goaltender Vokoun. This should be of some indication that this series will come down to great goaltending, and may showcase one of the best goaltending duels of the first round in Kolzig vs Vokoun. If this is the case, look for Kolzig to get the best of Vokoun.
Prediction: Wild in 6