MegaPost: Your Stanley Cup Finals Playoff Primer
9 Comments Published by Sherry on Sunday, May 27, 2007 at 10:59 PM.
Really, approaching this primer was a bit difficult seeing as how I wasn't familiar with this Anaheim team asides from what you heard from the media: Teemu Selanne's resurgence! Chris Pronger's a cranky jackhole! Andy McDonald has a huge neck! Well, that last one I heard from Dear Lord Stanley, not so much the media.
Up Front...
| Ottawa Senators… | Anaheim Ducks… |
| Heatley - Spezza - Alfredsson | Miller - McDonald - Selanne |
| Schaefer - Fisher - Comrie | Penner - Getzlaf – Perry |
| Vermette - Kelly - Neil | Moen - Pahlsson - Niedermayer |
| Eaves - McAmmond – Schubert | May - Marchant - Thornton |
| Extras – McGrattan | |
Advantage...Senators, but perhaps not by that large of a margin.
A lot has been made about the fact that the Senators do not have enough balanced scoring but I don't think enough can be said about the sheer domination of the top line. They've managed to set the tone when matched against the Penguins' offensive top line, and they've also managed to out muscle the tight checking style of the New Jersey Devils.
That being said, if anybody can shut down the top line, it would probably be Pahlsson's line combined with the defense of Niedermayer and Pronger. Whether or not that happens remains to be seen. If that does happen, some people might worry about where the scoring would come from but I'm surprisingly optimistic about that. Fisher can score in any situation; five-on-five, on the PowerPlay, even short-handed. His opportunities to do so have been somewhat limited as he is often given the task of shutting down the opponent's top lines.
Vermette is an extremely gifted offensive player and has been generating a lot of chances and McAmmond, Schubert and Kelly all have had generated a lot of offensive chances. I think reinserting Patrick Eaves in this series is also a good idea as he plays the type of game that could require the grind factor with his propensity for planting himself in front of the net. Beating Giguere is all about making him move, and Eaves is capable of being in the right place at the right time, regardless of the abuse he takes.
On the Blue Line...
| Ottawa Senators… | Anaheim Ducks… |
| Redden - Meszaros | O'Donnell - Pronger |
| Phillips - Volchenkov | Beauchemin – Niedermayer |
| Corvo - Preissing | Huskins - Jackman |
| Extra - Nycholat | |
Advantage...Even but maybe possibly a slight edge to the one with the jackhole.
As far as all-around defensive depth goes, I think Ottawa definitely has the edge as they can get both offense and defense from their blue-line. And as much as many people liken him to a horse's ass, there is a reason why Pronger is a Norris candidate. Combined with the efforts of Beauchemin and Niedermayer and you're looking at a very good defensive squad.
That being said, from those three down, it is certainly not as deep as the Senators' blue-line. If Redden can continue playing well, then there isn't much need for him to be too overly physical with Phillips and Volchenkov once again drawing the shut-down duty.
Starting in Net...
| Ottawa Senators… | Anaheim Ducks… |
| Emery | Giguere |
| Gerber | Bryzgalov |
Advantage...Begrudgingly, the Ducks.
However, we do have Gerber, who must have the best karma in the world considering he always has the best seats in the house. I think Giguere does a lot for this Ducks team but for all of the talk of Emery having an easy time behind his defense, the case can certainly be made for Giguere, who's actually faced on average less shots on that Emery so far. Plus he drinks with a straw on his waterbottle. How uncool is that? I think Emery and Giguere have the same flaw in that they're not as quick in their lateral movement, but Emery has the slight advantage in that he plays a very athletic style.
In terms of back-ups, Bryzgalov obviously has the more proven history of being able to perform in the playoffs but Gerber can at least rely on the fact that he finished off the season really strong. Let's just hope it doesn't come to that.
The "X" Factors...
- Experience...Advantage: Even. I don't care if the Ducks have three players who have been there in '03 and the only two we have will be riding the bench. This new Senators squad has been pressure treated and thrown every scenario in the book and they've come out strong.
- Grit...Advantage: Even. Neil leads the league in hits and it only began to taper off in the series against Buffalo as he was a little banged up. If anything good comes out of the long layover, it's the fact that they'll be able to heal up the bumps and bruises.
- Leadership...Scott Niedermayer is a proven leader but interestingly enough, he hasn't always been playing his best, while Alfie has simply been leading by example. The rest of the team has been following in his footsteps and they most definitely want to win it for him after all the flack he's taken over the years.
- Who Wants it More?...Both teams want it, and they want it bad. Whether it be redemption for 4 years ago, or for somebody who's put in 18 years in the league without the championship; for a captain who's taken the criticism and shouldered the blame even when it wasn't due; or for a little boy that captured the heart of a team and a nation. They're both going to bring it to prove that they deserve it.
- That Being Said...It's hard to know what to expect from this series. Everybody expected run and gun series with Buffalo and Pittsburgh but for the most part, they were low scoring affairs. The teams have never met before, there's no bad blood but definitely very compelling storylines to look at. The Ducks are coming in as a team that dominated the regular season but has yet to play consistently in the playoffs while the Senators have just been on an absolute tear after the adversity they faced after losing 12 of their first 18 games.
- Just because I said so... This is it boys, I believe, EA believes, the nation believes...GO SENS GO!
2007 STANLEY CUP FINAL SCHEDULE
(all start times 8 p.m., ET)
Game 1 Monday, May 28
Game 2 Wednesday, May 30
Game 3 Saturday, June 2 in Ottawa
Game 4 Monday, June 4 in Ottawa
*Game 5 Wednesday, June 6
*Game 6 Saturday, June 9 in Ottawa
*Game 7 Monday, June 11
* = if necessary
From the Duck Soup Side of the Fence...
- Battle of California and Sleek's Drunken Cartoons
- Anaheim Duck Fan
- Girl With a Puck
- Duck's Blog
- On the Pond
Anything's possible. Save for the long layover, this is easily the best time of year.
I also have a dilemma, my cousin's fiancee's bridal shower is on the same evening as game 6. Think the boys can wrap it up in 5 for me? Or do you think they'll understand if I need to cancel. Priorities, people!
Labels: anaheim ducks, megapost, playoffs, round 4: anaheim ducks, stanley cup finals
Sherry - skip the bridal shower. :p
I am saying OTT in 6. I think that the quacks will be tougher than what they have faced. The twin towers along with their goaltending is going to be a factor. BUT I really do not think they have our speed nor our offensive power. The cup is coming home baby! GO SENS GO!!! WHOOOOOT!
Sherry - OH. EM. GEE. SKIP THE BLOODY SHOWER! HOW CAN YOU EVEN ENTERTAIN THE POSSIBILITY... BLASPHEMY!
Bah I'm sorry! Familial obligations and such.
I'm looking at it this way, it's sort of an all-day affair, so I'll go in the morning and then I'll just leave in the evening when the game starts!
See! Multi-tasking!
Sherry - check your email - saj.gunner@gmail.com - Pav
...they most definitely want to win it for him after all the flack he's taken over the years.
This is why I think the Heatly/Spezza/Alfredsson line should be called the Redemption Line. We all know how much flack Alfredsson has taken over the years. Spezza has taken his share, too. And, ever since the car accident, Heatley has been a guy desperate to redeem himself.
Given the Sens' playoff history, this team could use some redemption, too. I believe this line will provide it.
Spezza/Heatley/Alfredsson - The Redemption Line.
PaV - Thanks again. That was really sweet of you.
Chet - This team has definitely gone above and beyond people's expectations. Spezza has taken a lot of flack it's true, but I think a lot of what he took was actually fair criticism. Now he's just maturing and playing the type of hockey a guy with his amount of talent should be playing. It's absolutely wonderful seeing Heatley succeed as well.
The Redemption Line sounds fitting.
Sherry - thanks isn't necessary.
How about the stanley cup line? Yeah I know.. lame.
Great analysis. This is going to be the toughest round of them all. So strap in and get ready for the ride.
Go Sens Go
No no no! You're just going to have to skip that shower, if they win it in five and I don't win my stupid pool I am not even cheering for Vermette's hair, you got that!? Six! I need six!