NHL Playoff Predictions: Western Final
Edmonton Oilers VS. Anaheim Mighty Ducks
forwards
The Edmonton Oilers have a tenacious and hard-working group of forwards led by sniper Sergei Samsanov, Ryan Smyth and Fernado Pisani. These three are supported by Shawn Horcoff and Rafi Torres. Even Mike Peca, who has been a bargain for the Oilers, has scoring ability. Peca's role, however is to get under the skin of the likes of Teemu Selanne and Andy Mcdonald. It will be key that the Oilers score early and ofen if they want to prevail to the Stanley Cup Finals.
The Anaheim Mighty Ducks are making GM Brian Burke look like a genius for getting rid of Sergei Federov and Peter Sykora. Teemu Selanne looks ten years younger following his comeback season from major knee surgery. Andy Mcdonald can blow by the opposition and is not afraid to go to the front of the net. Rob Neidermeyer has been his usual nightmarish self for the 'keepers. These three players must carry this team on their backs and taje over the series if the Ducks stand any chance of advancing.
Edge: Oilers
defense
Chris Pronger was a wonderful pick-up by the Oilers before the season started. He has been a thorn in the side of the likes of Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetteberg, Joe Thorton and Jonathon Cheechoo. Also, Captain Jason Smith has led by example and blocked many shots. The Oilers are doing a great job of keeping the shots to the outside and letting goaltender Dwayne Roloson see the shots. They will need to continue to do so in order to prevail this series.
The Mighty Ducks are led by stalwart D-man Scott Neidermeyer and partner Jason Marshall, Again this team has done an adequate job of blocking shots and clearing the zone. However, the oilers are the fastest team the Mighty Ducks have faced so far and I'm just not sure they can handle the speed and skill of these pesky Oilers
edge: Oilers
Goaltending
Rolly the goalie has been perhaps the most consistent goalie this playoffs. He has made the save when he has had to. The only question is whether he can do a better job of controlling the rebound. There have been a few occassions when the puck has appeared to be a pinball machine puck. That is, it's bounced off Roloson's pads and just out of the reach of an opposing forward.
Ilya Bryzgalov has taken the opportunity presented to him and run with it. He took over for an ineffective J.S. Giguere after Game 2 of round 1 and has been very effective. However, his inexperience might come into play this series. So far, Bryzgalov has looked good in controlling rebounds and making some very difficult saves. He will have to keep his team in games if the Mighty Ducks want to advance.
Edge: even
Special Teams
The Edmonton Oiler must set up the big shot of Chris Pronger and Jaroslav Spacek. On the PK, the killers have done a fabulous job thus far of blocking shots and clearing the zone. Roloson makes the save when the shots come through most of the time.
The Mighty Ducks should use their speed to move the puck around and get the Oilers' D-men running around in their own zone. On the PK, in order to be successful, the Ducks must prevent Pronger, Staios and Spacek from unloading a heavy shot on Bryzgalov.
Edge: Oilers
Prediction: Oilers in 5
forwards
The Edmonton Oilers have a tenacious and hard-working group of forwards led by sniper Sergei Samsanov, Ryan Smyth and Fernado Pisani. These three are supported by Shawn Horcoff and Rafi Torres. Even Mike Peca, who has been a bargain for the Oilers, has scoring ability. Peca's role, however is to get under the skin of the likes of Teemu Selanne and Andy Mcdonald. It will be key that the Oilers score early and ofen if they want to prevail to the Stanley Cup Finals.
The Anaheim Mighty Ducks are making GM Brian Burke look like a genius for getting rid of Sergei Federov and Peter Sykora. Teemu Selanne looks ten years younger following his comeback season from major knee surgery. Andy Mcdonald can blow by the opposition and is not afraid to go to the front of the net. Rob Neidermeyer has been his usual nightmarish self for the 'keepers. These three players must carry this team on their backs and taje over the series if the Ducks stand any chance of advancing.
Edge: Oilers
defense
Chris Pronger was a wonderful pick-up by the Oilers before the season started. He has been a thorn in the side of the likes of Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetteberg, Joe Thorton and Jonathon Cheechoo. Also, Captain Jason Smith has led by example and blocked many shots. The Oilers are doing a great job of keeping the shots to the outside and letting goaltender Dwayne Roloson see the shots. They will need to continue to do so in order to prevail this series.
The Mighty Ducks are led by stalwart D-man Scott Neidermeyer and partner Jason Marshall, Again this team has done an adequate job of blocking shots and clearing the zone. However, the oilers are the fastest team the Mighty Ducks have faced so far and I'm just not sure they can handle the speed and skill of these pesky Oilers
edge: Oilers
Goaltending
Rolly the goalie has been perhaps the most consistent goalie this playoffs. He has made the save when he has had to. The only question is whether he can do a better job of controlling the rebound. There have been a few occassions when the puck has appeared to be a pinball machine puck. That is, it's bounced off Roloson's pads and just out of the reach of an opposing forward.
Ilya Bryzgalov has taken the opportunity presented to him and run with it. He took over for an ineffective J.S. Giguere after Game 2 of round 1 and has been very effective. However, his inexperience might come into play this series. So far, Bryzgalov has looked good in controlling rebounds and making some very difficult saves. He will have to keep his team in games if the Mighty Ducks want to advance.
Edge: even
Special Teams
The Edmonton Oiler must set up the big shot of Chris Pronger and Jaroslav Spacek. On the PK, the killers have done a fabulous job thus far of blocking shots and clearing the zone. Roloson makes the save when the shots come through most of the time.
The Mighty Ducks should use their speed to move the puck around and get the Oilers' D-men running around in their own zone. On the PK, in order to be successful, the Ducks must prevent Pronger, Staios and Spacek from unloading a heavy shot on Bryzgalov.
Edge: Oilers
Prediction: Oilers in 5
posted by opinionator777 at 2:23 AM
1 Comments:
I agree with you Tina. Oilers in 5 is a good pick.
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