Round 2
1. BOS- 6. CAR
Boston played a team made up of about 10 guys who had no commitment beyond this year. The Canadiens best players looked like they were more concerned with not getting hurt, than winning a game. It was very hard to judge Carey Price in this series because he got little help, but it should be safe to say that there is a world of difference between Price and Cam Ward. I’m not going to bother discussing the games these teams played in the regular season because at this point they are about as relevant to this series as MSNBC is the world of legitimate journalism. Here’s the breakdown as I see it.
Offense-
Boston was the deeper team in the regular season, but Carolina maybe the more dangerous team. Savard is a great setup man, but he can be cancelled on the other side by Ray Whitney. Ryder has a scorer’s touch but is streaky, and Kessel is unproven. Eric Staal is a proven playoff goal scorer, Tuomo Ruutu and Jussi Jokinen stepped up their performances in Game 7. It’s a tough call, but I’m going out and a limb and giving Carolina the edge offensively.
D-
Carolina’s Defense is a little more mobile than the B’s, but both teams can generate offense from the backside. The Canes don’t have a shut down guy like the B’s do in Big Z, but few teams do. Joni Pitkanen had great numbers through round 1 for the Canes, and Wideman was great for the B’s. I think the B’s have edge, and they’ll need it.
Goaltending-
Tim Thomas in all likelihood will end up winning the Vezina, but when he steps on to the ice Friday for game one, it will be the furthest he’s ever ventured into the playoffs. Cam Ward has only had 6 birthdays (leap day birthday), but he already has a Stanley Cup ring, and a Conn Smythe trophy. He’s also outdueled Marty Broduer in the playoffs twice. I think the edge has to go Ward.
Series-
Canes in 6. They won’t lose at home and they’ll take one away in Boston.
2. WSH- 4. PIT
The NHL/NBC/and VS’s marketing departments are still pinching themselves. Yes class it’s the tag-team-steel-cage we’ve all been waiting for; the MegaPowers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin squaring off against Alex Ovechkin and Alex Semin. If you know the history of these teams in the playoffs you know the Capitals are in for an uphill battle. The last time these two teams met in the playoffs Marty Straka ended the Caps season in the first round of the 2001 playoffs. Very few players are left on either side from that battle.
Offense-
The Pens are better down the middle, the Caps have the better wingers. In the regular season the Caps would have and edge because of the wings, in the playoffs it’s all about defense, and the Pens depth at center will provide the edge.
Defense
Mike Green is a wildcard here. Gonchar is good, but he’s predictable. Green is a rover. His roving could prove to be a double-edged sword. If the Pens exploit his forays down low, Malkin/Crosby/Staal could give Varlamov nightmares. If the Pens fail to keep taps on the Mohawked Menace, he’ll haunt Fleury’s dreams all summer. The Caps have great size on their blue line, but the Pens may have the better defensive players. Keep an eye on Brooks Orpik, especially if your name is Ovechkin, if AO tries to get to fancy with his head down Orpik will end his season.
Goaltending-
Varlamov has looked great, but if Nik Zherdev would have brought his hands to the playoffs the Pens would be hosting the Canes. Varlamov hasn’t looked like a rookie but he hasn’t been tested the way he will in this series. Fleury should be serving 25-Life for grand theft after stealing the series against Philly. Simply based on track record, the edge is Fleury’s.
Series-
The Pens know how to play playoff hockey, the Caps are still learning. Should still be an competitive series, Pens in 6.
West breakdown tomorrow.
Boston played a team made up of about 10 guys who had no commitment beyond this year. The Canadiens best players looked like they were more concerned with not getting hurt, than winning a game. It was very hard to judge Carey Price in this series because he got little help, but it should be safe to say that there is a world of difference between Price and Cam Ward. I’m not going to bother discussing the games these teams played in the regular season because at this point they are about as relevant to this series as MSNBC is the world of legitimate journalism. Here’s the breakdown as I see it.
Offense-
Boston was the deeper team in the regular season, but Carolina maybe the more dangerous team. Savard is a great setup man, but he can be cancelled on the other side by Ray Whitney. Ryder has a scorer’s touch but is streaky, and Kessel is unproven. Eric Staal is a proven playoff goal scorer, Tuomo Ruutu and Jussi Jokinen stepped up their performances in Game 7. It’s a tough call, but I’m going out and a limb and giving Carolina the edge offensively.
D-
Carolina’s Defense is a little more mobile than the B’s, but both teams can generate offense from the backside. The Canes don’t have a shut down guy like the B’s do in Big Z, but few teams do. Joni Pitkanen had great numbers through round 1 for the Canes, and Wideman was great for the B’s. I think the B’s have edge, and they’ll need it.
Goaltending-
Tim Thomas in all likelihood will end up winning the Vezina, but when he steps on to the ice Friday for game one, it will be the furthest he’s ever ventured into the playoffs. Cam Ward has only had 6 birthdays (leap day birthday), but he already has a Stanley Cup ring, and a Conn Smythe trophy. He’s also outdueled Marty Broduer in the playoffs twice. I think the edge has to go Ward.
Series-
Canes in 6. They won’t lose at home and they’ll take one away in Boston.
2. WSH- 4. PIT
The NHL/NBC/and VS’s marketing departments are still pinching themselves. Yes class it’s the tag-team-steel-cage we’ve all been waiting for; the MegaPowers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin squaring off against Alex Ovechkin and Alex Semin. If you know the history of these teams in the playoffs you know the Capitals are in for an uphill battle. The last time these two teams met in the playoffs Marty Straka ended the Caps season in the first round of the 2001 playoffs. Very few players are left on either side from that battle.
Offense-
The Pens are better down the middle, the Caps have the better wingers. In the regular season the Caps would have and edge because of the wings, in the playoffs it’s all about defense, and the Pens depth at center will provide the edge.
Defense
Mike Green is a wildcard here. Gonchar is good, but he’s predictable. Green is a rover. His roving could prove to be a double-edged sword. If the Pens exploit his forays down low, Malkin/Crosby/Staal could give Varlamov nightmares. If the Pens fail to keep taps on the Mohawked Menace, he’ll haunt Fleury’s dreams all summer. The Caps have great size on their blue line, but the Pens may have the better defensive players. Keep an eye on Brooks Orpik, especially if your name is Ovechkin, if AO tries to get to fancy with his head down Orpik will end his season.
Goaltending-
Varlamov has looked great, but if Nik Zherdev would have brought his hands to the playoffs the Pens would be hosting the Canes. Varlamov hasn’t looked like a rookie but he hasn’t been tested the way he will in this series. Fleury should be serving 25-Life for grand theft after stealing the series against Philly. Simply based on track record, the edge is Fleury’s.
Series-
The Pens know how to play playoff hockey, the Caps are still learning. Should still be an competitive series, Pens in 6.
West breakdown tomorrow.
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