Conference Finals Preview
May 6th, 2008 by Jason CYou’ve been bombarded by previews from every single sports network for the Western and Eastern Conference finals. This post is going to be no different.
EAST - 2 Pittsburgh vs. 6 Philadelphia
Offense: Pittsburgh has a huge edge here, because the combination of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin is the best in the league. I don’t think there’s any contest here, although that’s not to say the Flyers are offensively challenged. I’ve said so before, this Penguins team might be the most offensively dangerous team I’ve ever seen. Philadelphia holds the physical edge, but the Pens aren’t a team to be pushed around, although you’ll see plenty of Scott Hartnell and Steve Downie attempting to put Crosby and Malkin off their game, but that may be too big of a task. Edge: Pittsburgh
Defense: Here’s a tougher one. The two teams actually match up quite evenly, with both teams having physical pylons in Hal Gill and Derian Hatcher, but also excellent puck movers in Sergei Gonchar and Kimmo Timonen. However, with the Penguins’ offense relying on more skill than the Flyers, who prefer to play a more physical game, the outlet pass and the ability to generate offense from their defensemen is much more important to the Pens than Flyers. Pittsburgh has the edge here because Gonchar, who I think was totally snubbed by a Norris nomination (Dion Phaneuf and Zdeno Chara should not be there), is the biggest difference maker on the blueline in this series. Edge: Pittsburgh
Goaltending: Martin Biron and Marc-Andre Fleury both faced uncertainty mid-way through the season when they were going through dry spells, and Antero Niittymaki and Ty Conklin were threatening to take over the number one job. Now that the issue has been settled, both Biron and Fleury have been outstanding in the playoffs. I think both goalies are playing their best hockey right now, when it matters most, but Fleury has posted the better stats in the playoffs, and he’s finished off the defending Eastern Conference champs in a sweep and a tough Rangers squad in 5. Edge: Pittsburgh
Prediction: Penguins in 6.
WEST - 1 Detroit vs. 5 Dallas
Offense: It’s hard to compare teams when they’re using different styles of play. The Stars are deeper offensively, with three scoring options down the middle, but even combined they’re not as dangerous as a Pavel Datsyuk-Henrik Zetterberg combo. With a red hot Johan Franzen, the Detroit offense is something to be feared. The Wings have got a good mixture of talent and grit, led by Tomas Holmstrom, and if the Stars want to compete they need Niklas Hagman and Antti Mietinen to start contributing more offensively. Edge: Detroit.
Defense: Niklas Lidstrom and Sergei Zubov. That’s what this series really boils down to, these two players who can single handedly carry the offensive and defensive load on a team. Both teams are very disciplined on the blueline, but the Wings have the bigger names in Brian Rafalski and Chris Chelios, but Stephane Robidas and Trevor Daley have been outstanding in this year’s playoffs but will be counted on to further step up their play. However, there’s no denying that Lidstrom is the best defenseman in the game, and well on his way to winning another Norris. Edge: Detroit.
Goaltending: Everyone knows that good goaltending is key in the playoffs, and Marty Turco has been the best goalie in this year’s playoffs. He would’ve been last here too had they not lost to Vancouver. Chris Osgood will be Detroit’s starter, and no other goalie has more wins against the Stars than Osgood. This bodes well for Detroit, seeing as how they will be frustrated by Turco night after night. Neither goalie will have an easy time stopping the opponents’ forwards, but I can’t say this enough - Turco has been pure amazing. Edge: Dallas
Prediction: Detroit in 7.
Posted in Uncategorized
One Response to “Conference Finals Preview”
By flacolaco on May 6, 2008
I will be so pleasantly surprised if the Stars push this thing to 7.
Good stuff.