NHL Playoff Predictions: East Finals
Carolina Hurricanes Vs. Bufallo Sabres
forwards The Carolina Hurricanes received a huge blow to their chances with word today that Eric Cole has been lost for the playoffs due to the scary neck injury he suffered towards the end of the regular season. Eric Staal, Rod Brind'amour, Corey Stillman and Doug Weight must pick up the slack and continue to lead their team offensively.
The Sabres meanwhile are led by Jochen Hetch, Daniel Briere, and Maxim Afinogenov. The Sabres are also hurting on the injury front with the loss of Tim Connoly for an indefinite period of time with a suspected concussion. JP Dumont, Chris Drury and Mike Grier are providing much needed leadership to this young team. I really like this team's speed in transition
Edge: Sabres
Defensemen
The Hurricanes made a great pick-up by signing Mike Commodore in the off-season. Veteran Bret Hedican has been in this situation before as a member of the Vancouver Canucks. Oleg Tverdovsky made it as far as the Finals as a member of the Mighty Ducks last year. Also Glen Wesely and Aaron Ward were on the Carolina Hurricanes team that went to the Finals in '02.
The Sabres are really hurting on defense as 3 of their top six are currently out with injuries, including Henrik Talinder, whose out for the remainder of the playoffs with a broken arm, and veteran Teppo Numminen. Jay Mckee and Brian Campbell will have to eat up a lot of quality minutes if the Sabres expect to be successful in this round.
Edge: Hurricanes
Goaltenders
Cam Ward has really benefited from an entire year in the AHL during the lockout year. He took over for the ineffective Martin Gerber and to this point he has been more than adequate in helping the Hurricanes defeat the Devils and Canadiens
The Sabres are blessed with having two goalies who are solid Starters in Ryan Miller and Martin Biron. Miller has been the starter throughout the playoffs and he has done nothing to think he will lose his job in the off-season when the two goalies contracts are up.
Edge: Sabres
Special Teams
The Hurricanes are led by Veteran Bret Hedican QB'ing the PP. Glen Wesley is also not afraid to shoot the puck. Eric Staal has a howitzer of a shot and can also tip home a point shot. However, the Sabres have been known to score shorthanded. On the PK Ward and back-up Gerber, should Ward Fail will have to be solid as the last line of defense. If the Hurricanes expect to move on, they will have to stay out of the penalty box
The Sabres are currently dessimated on defense with three of their top players either out with injury or hurting. Therefore on the PP, the Sabres may have to set up the likes of Briere and Dumont while being wary of the Hurricanes taking advantage of their inexperienced pointmen for a Shorthanded chance. On the PK, Miller must continue to be strong in net. Their penalty killers have been effective thus far at keeping the shots to the outside and letting the goalie see the shots.
edge: even
prediction: Hurricanes in 7
forwards The Carolina Hurricanes received a huge blow to their chances with word today that Eric Cole has been lost for the playoffs due to the scary neck injury he suffered towards the end of the regular season. Eric Staal, Rod Brind'amour, Corey Stillman and Doug Weight must pick up the slack and continue to lead their team offensively.
The Sabres meanwhile are led by Jochen Hetch, Daniel Briere, and Maxim Afinogenov. The Sabres are also hurting on the injury front with the loss of Tim Connoly for an indefinite period of time with a suspected concussion. JP Dumont, Chris Drury and Mike Grier are providing much needed leadership to this young team. I really like this team's speed in transition
Edge: Sabres
Defensemen
The Hurricanes made a great pick-up by signing Mike Commodore in the off-season. Veteran Bret Hedican has been in this situation before as a member of the Vancouver Canucks. Oleg Tverdovsky made it as far as the Finals as a member of the Mighty Ducks last year. Also Glen Wesely and Aaron Ward were on the Carolina Hurricanes team that went to the Finals in '02.
The Sabres are really hurting on defense as 3 of their top six are currently out with injuries, including Henrik Talinder, whose out for the remainder of the playoffs with a broken arm, and veteran Teppo Numminen. Jay Mckee and Brian Campbell will have to eat up a lot of quality minutes if the Sabres expect to be successful in this round.
Edge: Hurricanes
Goaltenders
Cam Ward has really benefited from an entire year in the AHL during the lockout year. He took over for the ineffective Martin Gerber and to this point he has been more than adequate in helping the Hurricanes defeat the Devils and Canadiens
The Sabres are blessed with having two goalies who are solid Starters in Ryan Miller and Martin Biron. Miller has been the starter throughout the playoffs and he has done nothing to think he will lose his job in the off-season when the two goalies contracts are up.
Edge: Sabres
Special Teams
The Hurricanes are led by Veteran Bret Hedican QB'ing the PP. Glen Wesley is also not afraid to shoot the puck. Eric Staal has a howitzer of a shot and can also tip home a point shot. However, the Sabres have been known to score shorthanded. On the PK Ward and back-up Gerber, should Ward Fail will have to be solid as the last line of defense. If the Hurricanes expect to move on, they will have to stay out of the penalty box
The Sabres are currently dessimated on defense with three of their top players either out with injury or hurting. Therefore on the PP, the Sabres may have to set up the likes of Briere and Dumont while being wary of the Hurricanes taking advantage of their inexperienced pointmen for a Shorthanded chance. On the PK, Miller must continue to be strong in net. Their penalty killers have been effective thus far at keeping the shots to the outside and letting the goalie see the shots.
edge: even
prediction: Hurricanes in 7
posted by opinionator777 at 4:51 PM
1 Comments:
I fully agree, Canes in 7.
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