NHL Playoffs: Round 2 predictions
Hey all you hockey fans out there. I'm going to post four separate postings here focusing on each of the four remaining playoff series (the eight teams left standing). I'll start with Colorado Avalanche-Anaheim Mighty Ducks
Forwards
Both of these teams have forwards that can strike at any time. The Avalanche are led by Captain and determined player Joe Sakic. His supporting cast include the likes of previous Scoring title player Milan Hejduk, Alex Tanguay and Andrew Brunette. For the Avs to win this series, all this players will have to be at the top of their games.
The Mighty Ducks are led by the rejuvinated Teemu Selanne. Selanne was unsure how effective he could be on his newly repaired knee, but the lockout appears to have done wonders to the former rookie phenom who holds the record for most goals in a rookie season with 76. Selanne appears to have regained the passion for the game and his deadly speed which he uses to create scoring chances. Supporting Selanne are Rob Niedermeyer, Jeff Friesen, and veteran Duck Andy McDonald. Rookie phenoms Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry have had strong playoffs and have looked dangerous at times.
edge: Mighty Ducks
Defence
The Avalanche are led by stalwart D-men Rob Blake and Patrice Breisbrois. Both of these men are more than capable of keeping opposing forwards away from Theodore's line of sight and blocking the key shot. It will be key for the avs to let their goalie see every shot and to keep them to the outside
Brian Burke is a genius for signing the always tough to play against Scott Niedermeyer. This defenceman can be a game saver if his team is ahead by one and needs a key block at the end of a tough game. Jason Marshall was another key offseason acquisition. Both of these D-men and the other four d-men will have to be at the top of their games.
Edge: even
Goaltending
This will be the deciding factor to determine who goes to the Western Conference Finals qand who goes golfing. That said the Avalanche have a real wildcard in net and an unpredictable rookie in Rob Budau as a back-up. Theodore had a subpar season and only came back from a broken heel to play a handful of games as a tune-up for the playoffs. The equipment crack-down the league had a huge impact on Theodore who never really seemed to get comfortable with the new standards.
The Mighty Ducks are in the exact opposite position. They have a hot rookie starting (Ilya Bryzgalov) and a back-up veteran (J.S. Giguere) who has struggled in the opening 2 games of the playoffs against the Flames and was eventually replaced by Bryzgalov. He has since run with the Vote of confidence and has been outstanding earning 2 straight shutouts.
Edge: Mighty Ducks
Special Teams Colorado has a dangerous man in Rob Blake QB'ing their PP. Blake can shoot the puck hard and shoot it accurately. The Avs can strike at any moment and giving them PP chances is a bad idea. However, this team made a bad choice, albeit a necessary one, in letting Peter Forsberg go to Philadelphia.
The Mighty Ducks are dangerous on the PP as they can move the puck around very effectively and they have a real sharp shooter in Selanne. Scott Niedermeyer has a hard, accurate shot thats dangerous.
Prediction: Mighty Ducks in 5
Forwards
Both of these teams have forwards that can strike at any time. The Avalanche are led by Captain and determined player Joe Sakic. His supporting cast include the likes of previous Scoring title player Milan Hejduk, Alex Tanguay and Andrew Brunette. For the Avs to win this series, all this players will have to be at the top of their games.
The Mighty Ducks are led by the rejuvinated Teemu Selanne. Selanne was unsure how effective he could be on his newly repaired knee, but the lockout appears to have done wonders to the former rookie phenom who holds the record for most goals in a rookie season with 76. Selanne appears to have regained the passion for the game and his deadly speed which he uses to create scoring chances. Supporting Selanne are Rob Niedermeyer, Jeff Friesen, and veteran Duck Andy McDonald. Rookie phenoms Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry have had strong playoffs and have looked dangerous at times.
edge: Mighty Ducks
Defence
The Avalanche are led by stalwart D-men Rob Blake and Patrice Breisbrois. Both of these men are more than capable of keeping opposing forwards away from Theodore's line of sight and blocking the key shot. It will be key for the avs to let their goalie see every shot and to keep them to the outside
Brian Burke is a genius for signing the always tough to play against Scott Niedermeyer. This defenceman can be a game saver if his team is ahead by one and needs a key block at the end of a tough game. Jason Marshall was another key offseason acquisition. Both of these D-men and the other four d-men will have to be at the top of their games.
Edge: even
Goaltending
This will be the deciding factor to determine who goes to the Western Conference Finals qand who goes golfing. That said the Avalanche have a real wildcard in net and an unpredictable rookie in Rob Budau as a back-up. Theodore had a subpar season and only came back from a broken heel to play a handful of games as a tune-up for the playoffs. The equipment crack-down the league had a huge impact on Theodore who never really seemed to get comfortable with the new standards.
The Mighty Ducks are in the exact opposite position. They have a hot rookie starting (Ilya Bryzgalov) and a back-up veteran (J.S. Giguere) who has struggled in the opening 2 games of the playoffs against the Flames and was eventually replaced by Bryzgalov. He has since run with the Vote of confidence and has been outstanding earning 2 straight shutouts.
Edge: Mighty Ducks
Special Teams Colorado has a dangerous man in Rob Blake QB'ing their PP. Blake can shoot the puck hard and shoot it accurately. The Avs can strike at any moment and giving them PP chances is a bad idea. However, this team made a bad choice, albeit a necessary one, in letting Peter Forsberg go to Philadelphia.
The Mighty Ducks are dangerous on the PP as they can move the puck around very effectively and they have a real sharp shooter in Selanne. Scott Niedermeyer has a hard, accurate shot thats dangerous.
Prediction: Mighty Ducks in 5
posted by opinionator777 at 2:24 PM
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