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NHL Round 2 Preview
Posted on 4/28/11 at 10:33 am
Posted on 4/28/11 at 10:33 am
My off-the-cuff previews of the second round series:
CAPS v BOLTS
I spent the last three weeks of the season watching the standings, hoping the Caps didn’t play the Rangers, and still got our nightmare matchup. The Caps won in 5. Now, the Caps get their dream matchup. The Lightning are essentially a less talented version of the Caps, It’s not a huge gap, though, and if the Caps think they’ll breeze by, they’ll lose. But if these teams both play their games, the Caps are going to win. It’ll come down to which team can stick with their system when times get tough. CAPS in 5.
FLYERS v BRUINS
I know it went seven, but that was the Flyers team we saw earlier this season. Don’t let the series length fool you, the Flyers absolutely dominated the Sabres, and only a Hasek-like performance by Miller kept it from being a rout. So now they play a team with a goalie almost as good as Miller, but with an actual team in front of him. It’s impossible to get any read from the Habs series, as that was nothing but good old fashioned hate. This should be an epic series between two really good teams. In the end, depth wins out. FLYERS in 7.
NUCKS v PREDS
Speaking of nightmare matchups, if there is one team the Canucks didn’t want to face, it was the Preds. The Preds have the best defensive pairing in the league, who will of course be assigned to the Sedin line. The Sedins are immensely talented, but the Canucks are not particularly deep, they rely on their top line more than most teams. If the Preds can shut it down, then their 2nd-4th lines are even, maybe even better. The talent advantage flips. Also, both teams have a Vezina finalist in net, but Rinne is not a headcase. I really, really want to pick the Preds. But I’m sticking by my pre-playoff pick of a Caps-Nucks “Someone’s Gotta Win” Finals. Ryan Kesler is the difference. NUCKS in 7.
WINGS v SHARKS
The Sharks looked like they finally reversed their jinx, by dispatching a really solid Kings squad. Hell, Joe Thornton even scored an OT winner. But the Kings, by series end, were down their top two centers. And no offense to LA, they aren’t Detroit. The Wings sleepwalked through the regular season and then flipped the switch last week. It’s not that the Wings are immensely talented, they are. It’s that they work harder than any other team. Their forecheck is devastating, and that Lidstrom guy is a force of nature. The Sharks have won first round series before. The Wings, right now, look awesome. WINGS in 6.
CAPS v BOLTS
I spent the last three weeks of the season watching the standings, hoping the Caps didn’t play the Rangers, and still got our nightmare matchup. The Caps won in 5. Now, the Caps get their dream matchup. The Lightning are essentially a less talented version of the Caps, It’s not a huge gap, though, and if the Caps think they’ll breeze by, they’ll lose. But if these teams both play their games, the Caps are going to win. It’ll come down to which team can stick with their system when times get tough. CAPS in 5.
FLYERS v BRUINS
I know it went seven, but that was the Flyers team we saw earlier this season. Don’t let the series length fool you, the Flyers absolutely dominated the Sabres, and only a Hasek-like performance by Miller kept it from being a rout. So now they play a team with a goalie almost as good as Miller, but with an actual team in front of him. It’s impossible to get any read from the Habs series, as that was nothing but good old fashioned hate. This should be an epic series between two really good teams. In the end, depth wins out. FLYERS in 7.
NUCKS v PREDS
Speaking of nightmare matchups, if there is one team the Canucks didn’t want to face, it was the Preds. The Preds have the best defensive pairing in the league, who will of course be assigned to the Sedin line. The Sedins are immensely talented, but the Canucks are not particularly deep, they rely on their top line more than most teams. If the Preds can shut it down, then their 2nd-4th lines are even, maybe even better. The talent advantage flips. Also, both teams have a Vezina finalist in net, but Rinne is not a headcase. I really, really want to pick the Preds. But I’m sticking by my pre-playoff pick of a Caps-Nucks “Someone’s Gotta Win” Finals. Ryan Kesler is the difference. NUCKS in 7.
WINGS v SHARKS
The Sharks looked like they finally reversed their jinx, by dispatching a really solid Kings squad. Hell, Joe Thornton even scored an OT winner. But the Kings, by series end, were down their top two centers. And no offense to LA, they aren’t Detroit. The Wings sleepwalked through the regular season and then flipped the switch last week. It’s not that the Wings are immensely talented, they are. It’s that they work harder than any other team. Their forecheck is devastating, and that Lidstrom guy is a force of nature. The Sharks have won first round series before. The Wings, right now, look awesome. WINGS in 6.
4
Posted on 4/28/11 at 10:44 am to Baloo
quote:
NUCKS v PREDS
Speaking of nightmare matchups, if there is one team the Canucks didn’t want to face, it was the Preds. The Preds have the best defensive pairing in the league, who will of course be assigned to the Sedin line. The Sedins are immensely talented, but the Canucks are not particularly deep, they rely on their top line more than most teams. If the Preds can shut it down, then their 2nd-4th lines are even, maybe even better. The talent advantage flips. Also, both teams have a Vezina finalist in net, but Rinne is not a headcase. I really, really want to pick the Preds. But I’m sticking by my pre-playoff pick of a Caps-Nucks “Someone’s Gotta Win” Finals. Ryan Kesler is the difference. NUCKS in 7.
Everyone said the Hawks were the team the Canucks didn't want to face. I agree with you on the defensive side, but I think Vancouver faced a team that prepared them well for this round. Luongo is head case, but alot of that is involved with Chicago in particular.
I also think Vancouver is deeper than you think. Their offense goes beyond line 1. If their defense can get a little bit healthier, I think they are in good shape matchup-wise.
My biggest concern is how much that first round took out of them. Nashville is ecstatic over winning a series, do they have more left in them? Can Rinne hold up?
Alot of questions for Nashville, not so many for Vancouver.
Posted on 4/28/11 at 11:16 am to Baloo
quote:
NUCKS v PREDS
Speaking of nightmare matchups, if there is one team the Canucks didn’t want to face, it was the Preds.
Chicago was the nightmare matchup without a doubt IMO.
quote:
The Sedins are immensely talented, but the Canucks are not particularly deep, they rely on their top line more than most teams.
We have two players on our current second line that have scored 41 and 26 goals respectively. 6 players have 15 goals or more and 9 have 10 goals or more. These are factors in why we led the league in scoring so I am not as concerned as you are with this.
quote:
If the Preds can shut it down, then their 2nd-4th lines are even, maybe even better. The talent advantage flips.
I dont want to underesimate Nashville, but a Kesler-Burrows second line provides us 2 lines that are more offensive then their best. Our 3rd and 4th tend to do their job too.
Nucks in 5
Posted on 4/28/11 at 11:25 am to igoringa
See, and I thought the Nucks were gonna kill the Hawks. History caught up to them, but I thought the Nucks were gonna win that in 5, mainly because the Hawks might be the most top heavy team in the league and their top line is not the Sedin line, which is beyond awesome. Obviously, the Canucks other lines don't suck, they won the President's Trophy for a reason, but the Sedin line is just such a huge edge -- and the Preds are one of the few teams capable of shutting it down (or at least limiting it). And the Nucks aren't like the Flyers, who seem to have one or two 20 goal scorers on every line.
This is the nightmare matchup. A team that comes at you in waves, has a terrific goaltending, and the best shutdown defensive pair in the league. I do think Kesler will be the difference in this series, but this would be the team that scared me. then again, like I said, I was terrified of the Rangers-Caps matchup, and that was a blowout.
This is the nightmare matchup. A team that comes at you in waves, has a terrific goaltending, and the best shutdown defensive pair in the league. I do think Kesler will be the difference in this series, but this would be the team that scared me. then again, like I said, I was terrified of the Rangers-Caps matchup, and that was a blowout.
Posted on 4/28/11 at 11:31 am to Baloo
quote:
See, and I thought the Nucks were gonna kill the Hawks.
On paper, yes and you were almost dead one... I just got the vibe the psychology risk was there.
quote:
Obviously, the Canucks other lines don't suck, they won the President's Trophy for a reason, but the Sedin line is just such a huge edge -- and the Preds are one of the few teams capable of shutting it down (or at least limiting it).
I agree with that.
Posted on 4/28/11 at 11:34 am to Baloo
Lightning in 6 
Posted on 4/28/11 at 11:35 am to igoringa
Yes, there is no psychology edge in this series. It's all about the matchup. Hopefully, for the Nucks, the monkey has left the building.
Posted on 4/28/11 at 12:47 pm to Baloo
quote:
FLYERS v BRUINS I know it went seven, but that was the Flyers team we saw earlier this season. Don’t let the series length fool you, the Flyers absolutely dominated the Sabres, and only a Hasek-like performance by Miller kept it from being a rout. So now they play a team with a goalie almost as good as Miller, but with an actual team in front of him. It’s impossible to get any read from the Habs series, as that was nothing but good old fashioned hate. This should be an epic series between two really good teams. In the end, depth wins out. FLYERS in 7.
Disagree. Boston won the regular season series 3-0-1 for a reason, Philly's offense was stopped cold by Timmy for three of those games. Defense wins championships, and the Bruins have plenty of that plus a chip on their shoulder from what happened last year in this exact same round. Only difference is that Philly gets home ice this go round.
Long series, Bruins win in 6.
Posted on 4/28/11 at 1:12 pm to Zantrix
Should be another great series this year. I also think the regular season stats mean nothing! And no way the bruins blueline or forwards are as deep as the Flyers. We are even deeper at goalie! The Flyers started 3 different goalies in last round and still won! Now it's down to Boucher & Bobrovsky to see which one wants to bring Philly the Cup! Flyers also had a better road record than home record this year. Everything favors the Flyers except goaltending. It may come down to who can execute a PP, since both teams have been terrible.
Flyers in 6
Caps in 7
Detroit in 6
Predators in 6
Flyers in 6
Caps in 7
Detroit in 6
Predators in 6
Posted on 4/28/11 at 1:25 pm to fabtigers
I think that the people on this board are discounting the Lightning way to early. With Cup winners and new stars they have the ability to go a long way, including winning the whole thing. The key, as in every series when it comes to Tampa is the net. Right now Rollie the Goalie looks like his Edmonton form, which should be worrisome for Cap fans.
The Bruins and Flyers are a wash, just depends on if Bouch/Bob/Leighton want to leave early or late. Pronger coming back is a positive. The hidden key is behind the bench, is Julien really a Cup coach?
Vancouver, easily most talented team left, but they suffer from same thing Boston does, not having a Cup level coach. Nashville will be pushed away, as they are starting to learn.
The best series left is the Red Army against the Olympic Heroes. I think that this series will be one that people talk about for years. I like how San Jose has stepped up lately and just blasted people when needed, yes they looked squirrely at times but when it came time to win they did. Detroit, simple as the system. They win, they know how to win, they expect to win. Babcock is a new age Scotty Bowman, IMO.
I think this years playoffs has been very enjoyable and the next round should be just epic hockey.
The Bruins and Flyers are a wash, just depends on if Bouch/Bob/Leighton want to leave early or late. Pronger coming back is a positive. The hidden key is behind the bench, is Julien really a Cup coach?
Vancouver, easily most talented team left, but they suffer from same thing Boston does, not having a Cup level coach. Nashville will be pushed away, as they are starting to learn.
The best series left is the Red Army against the Olympic Heroes. I think that this series will be one that people talk about for years. I like how San Jose has stepped up lately and just blasted people when needed, yes they looked squirrely at times but when it came time to win they did. Detroit, simple as the system. They win, they know how to win, they expect to win. Babcock is a new age Scotty Bowman, IMO.
I think this years playoffs has been very enjoyable and the next round should be just epic hockey.
This post was edited on 4/28/11 at 1:25 pm
Posted on 4/28/11 at 1:29 pm to sms151t
I actually like the Lightning, but they are playing their mirror image, only the Caps are better. With a reliable goalie. It's an awful matchup for them. However, if they can get the Caps out of their system, and take advantage of special teams, the Lightning can certainly win this series.
Posted on 4/28/11 at 3:09 pm to sms151t
quote:
I think that the people on this board are discounting the Lightning way to early. With Cup winners and new stars they have the ability to go a long way, including winning the whole thing.
this.
i would take their big 3 of lecavalier/st.louis/stamkos and put them up against anybody. They have the talent and experience just need to get hot and watch out
Posted on 4/28/11 at 3:22 pm to sms151t
Tampa's defense is the worst remaining in the playoffs. Couple that with father time in goal and they have no chance at the SCF. Plus St.Louis and Vinny aren't exactly youthful anymore. This series is done in 6 or less. 5 games in eight nights is going to be tough for them. Especially that back to back in Tampa early next week.
I said Nashville would make the WCF this year and I'm standing by it. They'll pop Vancouver in the mouth tonight with a win due to Van's hangover, but should be a great series.
Philly-Boston should be a war. I want to say Philly takes it but with that shaky goaltending of theirs, Boston has a phenomenal shot of taking them down. Lucic, where are you?
SJ-Wings- I think this is probably going to be the best series of the 2nd round. I think SJ moves on in 6, but the series will be an all out war.
Caps in 5. Philly in 7. Nashville in 6. SJ in 6.
Funny thing is, I think the winner of the Van-Nsh series is going to the SCF. Wings-Sharks winner will be mentally and physically abused, just like last year.
I said Nashville would make the WCF this year and I'm standing by it. They'll pop Vancouver in the mouth tonight with a win due to Van's hangover, but should be a great series.
Philly-Boston should be a war. I want to say Philly takes it but with that shaky goaltending of theirs, Boston has a phenomenal shot of taking them down. Lucic, where are you?
SJ-Wings- I think this is probably going to be the best series of the 2nd round. I think SJ moves on in 6, but the series will be an all out war.
Caps in 5. Philly in 7. Nashville in 6. SJ in 6.
Funny thing is, I think the winner of the Van-Nsh series is going to the SCF. Wings-Sharks winner will be mentally and physically abused, just like last year.
Posted on 4/28/11 at 3:28 pm to UnluckyTiger
my friend has slowly tunred me into a bruins fan. theyre quickly becoming my favorite second team. i purcahsed a horton t-shirt not long after he scored last night
Posted on 4/28/11 at 3:40 pm to NJ El Tigre
quote:
theyre quickly becoming my favorite second team. i purcahsed a horton t-shirt not long after he scored last night
Get that pink hat too...
Posted on 4/28/11 at 4:14 pm to UnluckyTiger
quote:
Tampa's defense is the worst remaining in the playoffs. Couple that with father time in goal and they have no chance at the SCF. Plus St.Louis and Vinny aren't exactly youthful anymore. This series is done in 6 or less. 5 games in eight nights is going to be tough for them. Especially that back to back in Tampa early next week.
shut out victory in a game 7 on the road with over 20 blocked shots by the players and st. louis had 8pts(4g,4a) in the seriesPosted on 4/28/11 at 4:50 pm to WreckinRams05
Tampa allowed 240 goals this season. The Caps? 195. And blocking shots is not that great, It's better than not blocking them, but allowing a bunch of shots is a bad thing. The Lightning are a very good team, but they are not a defensively oriented team.
Posted on 4/28/11 at 5:06 pm to WreckinRams05
quote:
shut out victory in a game 7 on the road with over 20 blocked shots by the players and st. louis had 8pts(4g,4a) in the series
You shut out a toothless Pens team, congrats.Posted on 4/28/11 at 6:02 pm to UnluckyTiger
quote:
You shut out a toothless Pens team, congrats
a pens team that you all picked to win the series even without crosby
I consider any NHL team that can reach 100 pts. elite in this league and both of them did. So it should be a entertaining hard fought series
This post was edited on 4/28/11 at 6:22 pm
Posted on 4/28/11 at 6:04 pm to Baloo
Go Caps
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