Let's start with the West:
(1) Detroit Red Wings VS (6) Colorado Avalanche:Key Match-up:
Niklas Lidstrom VS Joe Sakic
The best defensman in the NHL against one of the best offensive players this era. This should be a great match-up to see if Lidstrom can shut down Sakic.
Offense:
Detroit's top two lines are pretty damn good (Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Draper, Holmstrom) So many Swedes! They were top 3 in the NHL in the regular season in goals/game, compared to Colorado's #15 ranking. However both teams have been fairly even in the post-season in scoring. Colorado also has an impressive line-up featuring Joe Sakic, Ryan Smyth, Marek Svatos, and lets not forget Peter Forsberg. I believe Colorado has underachieved this year when it comes to their offense considering all the fire-power they have. Detroit is too deep down the middle.
Edge: Detroit
Defense:
Detroit had the lowest goals against average in the regular season, while Colorado has been stalwart in the playoffs. Anytime your defensive depth chart reads: Niklas Lidstrom, you can't go against him or his team.
Edge: Detroit
Special Teams:
Detroit's powerplay wasn't very good against Nashville, but there's no reason to believe that they can't rebound considering their history of consistency. Colorado got clutch power-play goals at key times against Minnesota, and has a penalty kill in the post season that kills off 85% of power-plays. Too bad Detroit kills off 91%.
Edge: EVEN
Goaltending:
It's still uncertain as to who will start for the Red Wings in the second round, after Hasek struggled against the Predators. Osgood mopped up, and got the series win. On the Avalanche side, Theodore has been great, and is out to prove his Vezina status. It's a battle of has-beens, for two teams that have always enjoyed good goaltending. Detroit's uncertain situation in goal is the final straw.
Edge: Colorado
X- Factor:
Jose Theodore will have to prove he's no fluke if Colorado has any designs on beating the mighty red machine
Verdict:
This is a great rivalry between two perennial Stanley Cup contenders, and a match-up we usually don't see until the West finals. However, Colorado was lucky to make it to the playoffs, and even luckier to make it past the Wild. The Swedes will pick apart the Avs.
Detroit wins in five games
(2) San Jose Sharks VS (5) Dallas Stars
Key Match-Up:
Evgeni Nabokov VS Marty Turco
Both of these goalies are trying to stare down playoff demons, and prove they can win.
Offense:
Dallas beat Anaheim because they were able to roll four lines, and get contributions from unexpected places. Eriksson and Lundqvist were both revelations in the first round series, and will be expected to contribute against the Sharks. San Jose has size, and more skill in their line-up. This should help them to win puck-battles along the boards (which is HUGE in playoff hockey), and get scoring chances. Joe Thorntons line will have to be huge against Dallas.
Edge: San Jose
Defense:
I keep waiting for the young Dallas defensemen to dissapoint me, but they don't. Niskanen, Fistric, and Grossman outplayed a GREAT Anaheim d-corp, and Robidas is easily the MVP for the Stars this post season. It looks like Zubov will play, which is an elephantine addition for the Stars. San Jose has one good puck moving defenseman in Brian Cambell, but Dallas has many.
Edge: Dallas
Special Teams:
The power-play has been huge for the Stars this entire year. The efficiency has helped them to win games they probably shouldn't. Of the remaining teams in the playoffs, Dallas has the best power-play, which offsets their mediocre penalty kill. San Jose had an average power-play against Calgary, and an absolutely atrocious penalty kill (worst in the post season at 72%) On paper, Dallas should pick apart the San Jose penalty kill.
Edge: Dallas (in a big way)
Goaltending:
Both of these goalies have so much pressure to garner post-season success, it should be interesting to see if the pressure gets to any of them. The real question is... after playing over 80 games so far this season, is Nabokov too tired?
Edge: Even
X-Factor:
Steve Ott was able to get Thronton off his game several times during the regular season. Can he do it again when it matters most?
Verdict:
Dallas was able to beat Anaheim in part because the Ducks were so arrogant, and had problems on offense. San Jose knows Dallas can beat them, so I don't anticipate the Sharks to be caught off guard like the Ducks. However, San Jose might be fatigued after playing a grueling seven game series against the Calgary Flames. Dallas will be well rested and ready to go. Like any other series, game one will be crucial, and will probably decide the winner. Dallas had the edge in the regular season, winning the season series. They don't get intimidated at the Shark Tank, which is important. However, I'm going against my better judgement, and my intuition in part because it worked in round one. Sorry Stars, I just don't believe.
San Jose wins in six
East preview comes tommorow
Discuss...
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