This is it now! The two teams who've made it all the way to the finals are fighting for the ultimate prize in hockey, the Stanley Cup. I picked Vancouver to end up in the finals, but expected Boston to fall to Tampa Bay. They didn't, and after a very tight semifinal series, they deserve their place in the finals.
Vancouver got to the finals with a bit less effort, but still had to dig deep to beat San Jose in the semis.
Both teams are where they are with a great depth in the lineup. It all starts with tremendous goalies in Luongo and Thomas. Both fighting for the Vezina, Thomas taking it easily if Boston wins the cup, otherwise Luongo might have a chance. Tim Thomas has displayed a bunch of insane highlight reel saves in the playoffs too, just to back up his solid all round game between the pipes. Luongo has been fantastic, but maybe a little less spectacular behind a more dominant team.
Now the games are 2-2. Vancouver just edged Boston in the first two at home. Played maybe better than the results show, but still pretty evenly matched. The Bruins on the other hand simply crushed Vancouver in the next two in Boston. Have to say, that now it seems like there won't be a cup to show off in Canada this year either. Unless Vancouver really finds another gear back home, Boston is going to keep the momentum going and take this in six at home.
For the competition, I hope the Canucks will wake up and fight for the ultimate victory. That would really take this final series to the level it's supposed to be. Now there's been a bunch of bad blood spilled in the previous games and my gut tells me it isn't getting any sweeter from now on. So, total grind on and we'll see who has the deepest resources in the end of season.
Boston seems to fire on all cylinders, forwards are playing intense, scoring pretty and ugly, whatever it takes. Defence is solid as a rock, lead by Zdeno Chara's massive figure. Tim Thomas seems to have decided to not let anything past him. That's a tough combination to break for Vancouver.
The Canucks fell off the wagon on all aspects and really need to recover fast. Sedins need to find the spark and shake off the fact that Boston is really pressuring them. Ryan Kesler has to find that final reserve and really step up to take the playoff MVP role he was bound earlier on. Defence is great on paper but must find the attitude to match the nastiness of the Bruins. No more mr. nice guy. And Roberto Luongo really has to forget about thinking ahead about the possible hero or goat treatment he's going to have. He just needs to make the next stop and let the rest of the team worry about the rest.
It's still tough to pick who wins this all. Boston has the upper hand now, but the long trip over to Vancouver might make them lose the best edge. However, if they take game 5 in Vancouver, the cup will not leave Boston anymore this season.
No matter what, It's been a great season and will have a fresh new champion in the end too. I'm happy to be a hockey fan.
2011/06/08
2011/05/19
Then there was four
Okay, been like this for a week now, but better late than never.
Just going to post some thoughts on the remaining teams in the hunt for the cup. The teams are good, all of them capable of winning it all, battle tested.. and bearded.
BOS-TB series is now even 1-1. However, Tampa pulled their victory somewhat effortlessly and made Boston look bad in the first game. The second game reminded of some exhibition games with high scoring and very sloppy defence. Boston ended up taking it by one goal, but only after letting Tampa back from a four goal deficit. Not really convincing there either.
My guess is that Tampa Bay Lightning is going to take this series and will go to the finals. They might do that even in five. The leadership is just so much wider and more talented in Tampa's team that Boston cannot compare. Tim Thomas seems to be even with Roloson, Chara rules above anyone else on defence, but the difference in the offensive talent is just too big. Lecavalier, St. Louis and Stamkos are going to rip the Bruins to pieces. It's fun to see Sean Bergenheim put in the effort of his career so far and making a big impact from a grinder line.
VAN-SJ slipped to 2-0 for Vancouver. Before the series I thought San Jose might actually have a better combination of experience and youth after previous rounds' challenges. Now I don't anymore. After seeing what the Canucs did on game 2, destroying the Sharks on every level, I can't imagine a comeback. Another performance like that and I might lift the Canucks to the final favorite too!
Now the Sedins seem to be back in the mood and there's a plenty of secondary scoring.. if one can call Ryan Kesler secondary after leading the whole league in scoring. Anyway, lots of people in the Vancouver team seem to be capable of carrying the weight and that really is a solid recipe for success.
So, Vancouver - Tampa Bay in the finals, well rested after finishing semis in five games. And the hockey fans are in it for a great show for the end of the stretch. I'd like to see cup ending up in Vancouver and Canada for a change.
Just going to post some thoughts on the remaining teams in the hunt for the cup. The teams are good, all of them capable of winning it all, battle tested.. and bearded.
BOS-TB series is now even 1-1. However, Tampa pulled their victory somewhat effortlessly and made Boston look bad in the first game. The second game reminded of some exhibition games with high scoring and very sloppy defence. Boston ended up taking it by one goal, but only after letting Tampa back from a four goal deficit. Not really convincing there either.
My guess is that Tampa Bay Lightning is going to take this series and will go to the finals. They might do that even in five. The leadership is just so much wider and more talented in Tampa's team that Boston cannot compare. Tim Thomas seems to be even with Roloson, Chara rules above anyone else on defence, but the difference in the offensive talent is just too big. Lecavalier, St. Louis and Stamkos are going to rip the Bruins to pieces. It's fun to see Sean Bergenheim put in the effort of his career so far and making a big impact from a grinder line.
VAN-SJ slipped to 2-0 for Vancouver. Before the series I thought San Jose might actually have a better combination of experience and youth after previous rounds' challenges. Now I don't anymore. After seeing what the Canucs did on game 2, destroying the Sharks on every level, I can't imagine a comeback. Another performance like that and I might lift the Canucks to the final favorite too!
Now the Sedins seem to be back in the mood and there's a plenty of secondary scoring.. if one can call Ryan Kesler secondary after leading the whole league in scoring. Anyway, lots of people in the Vancouver team seem to be capable of carrying the weight and that really is a solid recipe for success.
So, Vancouver - Tampa Bay in the finals, well rested after finishing semis in five games. And the hockey fans are in it for a great show for the end of the stretch. I'd like to see cup ending up in Vancouver and Canada for a change.
2011/05/17
The new Champions
Hey hey! Finland is the new World Champion in hockey. A proud moment indeed. Good for the nation's self esteem and all. Second time is for real, no more talks about fluke win in 1995. Finnish team really rocked this time.
The games were in general pretty high profile. Several teams had really strong names on paper and were really in there for the win. In the end it was Finnish team that found the groove within and took the gold as the most tightly woven team in the group.
The Slovaks failed miserably in their own games. Indeed an end to an era of great players. Demitra, Satan & co just couldn't keep up the pace with the younger generation. Unfortunate, but big thanks to the hosts!
The USA sent the least experienced team of the big countries and hit the wall in the first elimination game. Hopefully they'll gather a bit higher profile team from NHL bubble next year.
Norway and Germany exceeded all the expectations in the group phases and played great hockey. However, neither of them could pull off a surprise and were out in the quarters.
Canada bumped to Russian team already in the quarters and ended up on the losing side of that very entertaining, but somewhat undisciplined match.
Checks and Russians went to their semifinals both as a favorite. Each of the start-filled teams were beaten in the game by solid, basic, good-old teamplay. Finns and Swedes actually controlled the games quite effortlessly. Team over individual.
The final was a long awaited Nordic classic between Finland and Sweden. Swedes used to outplay Finland every time and became a horrifying opponent. During the last years, however, the next generation of Finnish hockey players have gotten over the history and really started to play their own game. And now, at least after the final, Swedes are more afraid of Finns than vice versa.
The final was a great game to watch; pretty tentative first period, Sweden taking over in the second, Finland scoring the most important goal of the tournament in the last seconds of second period and storming away to a massive victory.
Biggest reasons behind Finland's solid teamplay are still in the individuals. There's no team without those. Mikko Koivu and Tuomo Ruutu, as appreciated and battle tested NHL players in their prime, took the lead and everyone else followed. Koivu's personal battles for each puck, pacifying puck control and endless cool gave everyone the belief. Ruutu finished his checks, run through the enemy lines without fear and provided the golden touch of luck here and there to prove that anything can be done with a healty dose of effort. These guys will keep Finland as a contender as long as their fire burns.
And well, cannot post anything these days about the Worlds without a mention of a certain young gentleman's acts. Mikael Granlund is bound to have a fantastic career in hockey, wherever he ends up playing. All the best to the boy with the biggest bag of tricks. It'll take a while to top this highlight in the field of international hockey.
The games were in general pretty high profile. Several teams had really strong names on paper and were really in there for the win. In the end it was Finnish team that found the groove within and took the gold as the most tightly woven team in the group.
The Slovaks failed miserably in their own games. Indeed an end to an era of great players. Demitra, Satan & co just couldn't keep up the pace with the younger generation. Unfortunate, but big thanks to the hosts!
The USA sent the least experienced team of the big countries and hit the wall in the first elimination game. Hopefully they'll gather a bit higher profile team from NHL bubble next year.
Norway and Germany exceeded all the expectations in the group phases and played great hockey. However, neither of them could pull off a surprise and were out in the quarters.
Canada bumped to Russian team already in the quarters and ended up on the losing side of that very entertaining, but somewhat undisciplined match.
Checks and Russians went to their semifinals both as a favorite. Each of the start-filled teams were beaten in the game by solid, basic, good-old teamplay. Finns and Swedes actually controlled the games quite effortlessly. Team over individual.
The final was a long awaited Nordic classic between Finland and Sweden. Swedes used to outplay Finland every time and became a horrifying opponent. During the last years, however, the next generation of Finnish hockey players have gotten over the history and really started to play their own game. And now, at least after the final, Swedes are more afraid of Finns than vice versa.
The final was a great game to watch; pretty tentative first period, Sweden taking over in the second, Finland scoring the most important goal of the tournament in the last seconds of second period and storming away to a massive victory.
Biggest reasons behind Finland's solid teamplay are still in the individuals. There's no team without those. Mikko Koivu and Tuomo Ruutu, as appreciated and battle tested NHL players in their prime, took the lead and everyone else followed. Koivu's personal battles for each puck, pacifying puck control and endless cool gave everyone the belief. Ruutu finished his checks, run through the enemy lines without fear and provided the golden touch of luck here and there to prove that anything can be done with a healty dose of effort. These guys will keep Finland as a contender as long as their fire burns.
And well, cannot post anything these days about the Worlds without a mention of a certain young gentleman's acts. Mikael Granlund is bound to have a fantastic career in hockey, wherever he ends up playing. All the best to the boy with the biggest bag of tricks. It'll take a while to top this highlight in the field of international hockey.
2011/05/02
Second round, second thoughts
So, I missed the window to write before teams faced off for the second round starters. Apparently my crystal ball needs some polishing, since I have to admit I would have put my money on somewhat different results.
WAS-TB, even though Tampa has a pretty good team and an experienced and solid goaltender, I would have picked Washington to take this matchup. It's still possible after losing the first two, but the Capitals sure made it hard for themselves. Based on the games so far, it actually seems that the Lightning has better nerves and more will to fight. Now I can't see why Tampa Bay would let go of their spot on the third round. They're even starting to show signs of being able to take a shot at the Cup in the end.
PHI-BOS, I still believe Philly is up to the task of upending the Bruins. The teams are quite evenly matched on the ice, but the goaltending currently makes the difference. If the Flyers can settle down on one keeper and not bench him after a few soft goals, they'll be able to go for the comeback. They have way more firepower in the forwards and even Tim Thomas cannot stop the onslaught. If the Flyers get one goaltender's confidence back, they'll go far this year. Ih Philly can win the game two, they'll take over from there and go on to win the series.
VAN-NSH, It's hard to imagine any reason why Vancouver wouldn't take this one easily. Okay, Nashville has a great goalkeeper in Pekka Rinne and a very organized defence, but still.. Luongo is very good on Canucks' goal and the rest of the lineup is just the best in the league this season. Vancouver is just about to shake off the playoff jitters and will take off for the easy disposal of the Predators and go eventually all the way to Cup finals. The Sedin twins will also wake up and start lighting the lamp on regular basis.
SJ-DET, I would have given one of the games in San Jose to Detroit, but they didn't seem to agree. Now it's two to nothing and Detroit must win the next game or they're out. This is a very even series again, and I believe the Wings have enough experience to make one comeback. Thay'll take the next two behind Datsuyk and Zetterberg and whoever wins the fifth, will also advance to the conference finals. If I have to choose, it's going to be San Jose. They're pretty much on par in the experience now, but still younger and more fresh. Niemi won the cup in goal last season, so he can stay relaxed while Howard has all the pressure as a young goalie carrying the famed franchise.
WAS-TB, even though Tampa has a pretty good team and an experienced and solid goaltender, I would have picked Washington to take this matchup. It's still possible after losing the first two, but the Capitals sure made it hard for themselves. Based on the games so far, it actually seems that the Lightning has better nerves and more will to fight. Now I can't see why Tampa Bay would let go of their spot on the third round. They're even starting to show signs of being able to take a shot at the Cup in the end.
PHI-BOS, I still believe Philly is up to the task of upending the Bruins. The teams are quite evenly matched on the ice, but the goaltending currently makes the difference. If the Flyers can settle down on one keeper and not bench him after a few soft goals, they'll be able to go for the comeback. They have way more firepower in the forwards and even Tim Thomas cannot stop the onslaught. If the Flyers get one goaltender's confidence back, they'll go far this year. Ih Philly can win the game two, they'll take over from there and go on to win the series.
VAN-NSH, It's hard to imagine any reason why Vancouver wouldn't take this one easily. Okay, Nashville has a great goalkeeper in Pekka Rinne and a very organized defence, but still.. Luongo is very good on Canucks' goal and the rest of the lineup is just the best in the league this season. Vancouver is just about to shake off the playoff jitters and will take off for the easy disposal of the Predators and go eventually all the way to Cup finals. The Sedin twins will also wake up and start lighting the lamp on regular basis.
SJ-DET, I would have given one of the games in San Jose to Detroit, but they didn't seem to agree. Now it's two to nothing and Detroit must win the next game or they're out. This is a very even series again, and I believe the Wings have enough experience to make one comeback. Thay'll take the next two behind Datsuyk and Zetterberg and whoever wins the fifth, will also advance to the conference finals. If I have to choose, it's going to be San Jose. They're pretty much on par in the experience now, but still younger and more fresh. Niemi won the cup in goal last season, so he can stay relaxed while Howard has all the pressure as a young goalie carrying the famed franchise.
2011/04/27
A glimpse to World Championships
While the NHL playoffs are heating up for the second round, there will be another show played in Slovakia early May. The hockey world championships are about to start and it's definitely going to be a thrilling two weeks too.
I just checked out the rosters of some of the top candidates to win it all. Here's some random thoughts on the setup before the first puck drops.
Canada seems to be determined to get back on the throne after three years off. There's a very good team out there with young rising superstars supported by some solid success stories from the earlier internationals. Rick Nash is going to finish some breakaways again. Hopefully not against Finland.
Russia continues the trend to build most of the roster from KHL and let the smaller rink specialists rest for next NHL seasons. There's still the ever-so-dynamic Ilya Kovalchuk to keep an eye on in the scoring stats. Tough team and really at home on the larger rink.
Sweden seems to settle with mostly Swedish league players, still being supported by some really good NHL players, like Loui Eriksson. A hard team to beat as always, but slightly below Canada and Russia on my expectations.
Czechs and Slovaks have both pretty local rosters as well, with some bright superstars like Marian Gaborik aiming to end their seasons with a high note after swift exit from NHL playoffs. Not likely to fight for the gold, but you never know.
USA brings in the weakest team on paper for a long time. Maybe the NHL second-liners have gotten tired on travelling to Europe to be pushed over on first elimination round or something. Now there's a bunch of guys who just played in junior level championships. Not that these aren't really dangerous when in the right groove, but missing the experience is likely to leave them out of the medal games again.
Finland has been losing the foothold in NHL and it is shown in our roster too. There's a way too big gap between NHL heroes Tuomo Ruutu and Mikko Koivu and the average lineup gathered from Finnish and other European leagues and KHL. Solid goaltending and some surprise scoring punch might carry the resilient Finns all the way to the medal games, but that requires timing the best game for the quarter finals. The opponent there will likely be one of the tougher teams after another 2nd or 3rd place finnish in the group games. I'll love to see Tuomo Ruutu bring it all on the ice again like in the last Euro hockey tour match against Russia. Better to aim the crushing checks to the time when there's no giants like Artyuchin in the rink or prepare for a punchbag moment again..
The rest of the teams will remain in a surprise spoiler role with Denmark and Swizerland having the most punch. None of them will carry on to the semifinals this year. In general, this is again going to be the best hockey in the larger rink this year and definitely a tournament worth watching. With national pride to boost, naturally. Go Finland!
I just checked out the rosters of some of the top candidates to win it all. Here's some random thoughts on the setup before the first puck drops.
Canada seems to be determined to get back on the throne after three years off. There's a very good team out there with young rising superstars supported by some solid success stories from the earlier internationals. Rick Nash is going to finish some breakaways again. Hopefully not against Finland.
Russia continues the trend to build most of the roster from KHL and let the smaller rink specialists rest for next NHL seasons. There's still the ever-so-dynamic Ilya Kovalchuk to keep an eye on in the scoring stats. Tough team and really at home on the larger rink.
Sweden seems to settle with mostly Swedish league players, still being supported by some really good NHL players, like Loui Eriksson. A hard team to beat as always, but slightly below Canada and Russia on my expectations.
Czechs and Slovaks have both pretty local rosters as well, with some bright superstars like Marian Gaborik aiming to end their seasons with a high note after swift exit from NHL playoffs. Not likely to fight for the gold, but you never know.
USA brings in the weakest team on paper for a long time. Maybe the NHL second-liners have gotten tired on travelling to Europe to be pushed over on first elimination round or something. Now there's a bunch of guys who just played in junior level championships. Not that these aren't really dangerous when in the right groove, but missing the experience is likely to leave them out of the medal games again.
Finland has been losing the foothold in NHL and it is shown in our roster too. There's a way too big gap between NHL heroes Tuomo Ruutu and Mikko Koivu and the average lineup gathered from Finnish and other European leagues and KHL. Solid goaltending and some surprise scoring punch might carry the resilient Finns all the way to the medal games, but that requires timing the best game for the quarter finals. The opponent there will likely be one of the tougher teams after another 2nd or 3rd place finnish in the group games. I'll love to see Tuomo Ruutu bring it all on the ice again like in the last Euro hockey tour match against Russia. Better to aim the crushing checks to the time when there's no giants like Artyuchin in the rink or prepare for a punchbag moment again..
The rest of the teams will remain in a surprise spoiler role with Denmark and Swizerland having the most punch. None of them will carry on to the semifinals this year. In general, this is again going to be the best hockey in the larger rink this year and definitely a tournament worth watching. With national pride to boost, naturally. Go Finland!
2011/04/21
It's playoff time!
I planned to go on and analyze the playoff pairs before the big games started. Here I am, however, a week late and some reality adjustment wiser. Nevertheless, here I go. First round prognosis and some random comments as dressing.
Let's follow the sun and start from the East. WSH-NYR. Rangers have some guts and they've played playoff hockey since March. Grinding away to the last game, they managed to get lucky and get in. Exhausted, yes, but still have to be pretty pumped up too. Capitals knew they'd be in the playoffs for a long time already. They have started the preparations early and changed their style to more defencive minded. The big guns haven't gone anywhere and keep on blasting the opponents away when given the chance. Therefore, Rangers have to fall in this series. It's been even so far, but already 3-1 for Washington. Next game will be a blowout, 5-1 for Capitals, Ovechkin popping up a notch and scoring a couple.
Philly-Sabres, that's an interesting matchup. Based on early season it would have been murder, Flyers taking it easily 4-0. Now it's 2-2 after poor regular season finish for Philadelphia and a great one for Buffalo. Ryan Miller has stolen couple of games for Sabres already. Still, that's going to end. Flyers are just way too strong to contain by a average lineup and a great goalie. They'll add a notch on the nastiness too, now that Miller's been denying the conventional scoring. Philly takes the next two and advances to second round.
Boston-Montreal, a classic. These teams have played each other so much over the years that they have a pretty good scouting report each on how to play the opponent. Boston has been very solid all year, Montreal has improved from last seasons. In general this should still be much more biased for Boston. Somehow Montreal has been able to dominate early. However, after getting the crucial win on the game 3, Boston will discover its lost confidence and sweep the rest of the series. Carey Price will turn human again and won't be able to steal the show.
PIT-TBL was another very interesting setup. With Malkin and Crosby well and in the lineup, Penguins would have ended in the finals for sure. Now, it seems like a miracle that they finished so high in the standings on regular season and keep on playing great in the playoffs. Fleury gives the edge in goal for Pittsburgh every night, but the offence is based on sub-50 point players only. Hard working, grinding style seems to work well against the Lightning and Penguins are one win away from advancing. Tampa has had only Martin St. Louis deliver on expected, and extremely high, level. Other guys seem to have dropped the ball (puck?) somehow. Lecavalier and Stamkos have the last moment to pick up their game if they plan to continue this season. I would have picked Lightning to take this one earlier, but now I can't see it happening. If Crosby returns on the second round, he's going to be all over the sports news like never before.
Passing the middle and moving to the West. East may be more of a playoff experience, low scoring, tight, grinding games. West has the entertainment factor of less balanced, hollywood-like, goal scoring fests.
Vancouver-Chicago. What a nightmare reward for destroying the competition for the whole year in Vancouver. Defending champs sure are dangerous, no matter how they played the and of the season. Lucky to be in, nothing to lose -attitude just adds up in the pressure towards Canucks. My guess was, and still is, that Canucks can take this series and go really far this year. The team is just so solid on all positions. Chicago could have gone far, but not with this team agains them on the first round. From players, Luongo will take over and Sedin twins will find the groove and possibly take the playoff scoring 1-2 spots.
SJ-LA, the two non-traditional, Californian hockey teams facing each other. What a setup. And good for the environment, not much travelling. Here I'd have said that San Jose takes this easily 4-0 with LA losing its top two forwards on the last stretch of regular season. Kings have really fought back courageously, but can't stop the obvious. Sharks will rip them to pieces on the last two and surf to the next round. Veteran leaders Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau will pick up their game and carry the younger Sharks to the next challenge.
Detroit-Phoenix, well this was the easiest to pick. Detroit has just been too good this year to even stumble with the Coyotes. Wouldn't have given them the sweep, but now that's the reality. Detroit sure has the team to go far this year, again. Datsuyk is just too good and if Zetterberg returns healthy, they'll have some serious added punch to beware.
Ducks-Predators is a matchup between offence and defence. I'm calling offence and Ducks going forward. They've become maybe the most entertaining team in the league on the second half of the season and I sure would like them to go far. Nashville just hasn't got the goods to match. Average scoring, great defence and goaltending, they may be enough, but won't carry over to the third round. Ducks might surprise everyone in the league with 7-5 wins. I just love to see Teemu Selänne shoving the pucks to the net like he's 20 again. Hopefully it's another good run for him too and a great motivation to keep on playing. Pretty big numbers on the backs of guys to be passed next on the all time scoring lists. Hall of famers all. Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Bobby Ryan will regroup on the next games and start really spreading fear to all the rest of the West.
I'll end this long post here and try to return with more foresight before it's too late. That being in the beginning of the second round, at latest.
Let's follow the sun and start from the East. WSH-NYR. Rangers have some guts and they've played playoff hockey since March. Grinding away to the last game, they managed to get lucky and get in. Exhausted, yes, but still have to be pretty pumped up too. Capitals knew they'd be in the playoffs for a long time already. They have started the preparations early and changed their style to more defencive minded. The big guns haven't gone anywhere and keep on blasting the opponents away when given the chance. Therefore, Rangers have to fall in this series. It's been even so far, but already 3-1 for Washington. Next game will be a blowout, 5-1 for Capitals, Ovechkin popping up a notch and scoring a couple.
Philly-Sabres, that's an interesting matchup. Based on early season it would have been murder, Flyers taking it easily 4-0. Now it's 2-2 after poor regular season finish for Philadelphia and a great one for Buffalo. Ryan Miller has stolen couple of games for Sabres already. Still, that's going to end. Flyers are just way too strong to contain by a average lineup and a great goalie. They'll add a notch on the nastiness too, now that Miller's been denying the conventional scoring. Philly takes the next two and advances to second round.
Boston-Montreal, a classic. These teams have played each other so much over the years that they have a pretty good scouting report each on how to play the opponent. Boston has been very solid all year, Montreal has improved from last seasons. In general this should still be much more biased for Boston. Somehow Montreal has been able to dominate early. However, after getting the crucial win on the game 3, Boston will discover its lost confidence and sweep the rest of the series. Carey Price will turn human again and won't be able to steal the show.
PIT-TBL was another very interesting setup. With Malkin and Crosby well and in the lineup, Penguins would have ended in the finals for sure. Now, it seems like a miracle that they finished so high in the standings on regular season and keep on playing great in the playoffs. Fleury gives the edge in goal for Pittsburgh every night, but the offence is based on sub-50 point players only. Hard working, grinding style seems to work well against the Lightning and Penguins are one win away from advancing. Tampa has had only Martin St. Louis deliver on expected, and extremely high, level. Other guys seem to have dropped the ball (puck?) somehow. Lecavalier and Stamkos have the last moment to pick up their game if they plan to continue this season. I would have picked Lightning to take this one earlier, but now I can't see it happening. If Crosby returns on the second round, he's going to be all over the sports news like never before.
Passing the middle and moving to the West. East may be more of a playoff experience, low scoring, tight, grinding games. West has the entertainment factor of less balanced, hollywood-like, goal scoring fests.
Vancouver-Chicago. What a nightmare reward for destroying the competition for the whole year in Vancouver. Defending champs sure are dangerous, no matter how they played the and of the season. Lucky to be in, nothing to lose -attitude just adds up in the pressure towards Canucks. My guess was, and still is, that Canucks can take this series and go really far this year. The team is just so solid on all positions. Chicago could have gone far, but not with this team agains them on the first round. From players, Luongo will take over and Sedin twins will find the groove and possibly take the playoff scoring 1-2 spots.
SJ-LA, the two non-traditional, Californian hockey teams facing each other. What a setup. And good for the environment, not much travelling. Here I'd have said that San Jose takes this easily 4-0 with LA losing its top two forwards on the last stretch of regular season. Kings have really fought back courageously, but can't stop the obvious. Sharks will rip them to pieces on the last two and surf to the next round. Veteran leaders Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau will pick up their game and carry the younger Sharks to the next challenge.
Detroit-Phoenix, well this was the easiest to pick. Detroit has just been too good this year to even stumble with the Coyotes. Wouldn't have given them the sweep, but now that's the reality. Detroit sure has the team to go far this year, again. Datsuyk is just too good and if Zetterberg returns healthy, they'll have some serious added punch to beware.
Ducks-Predators is a matchup between offence and defence. I'm calling offence and Ducks going forward. They've become maybe the most entertaining team in the league on the second half of the season and I sure would like them to go far. Nashville just hasn't got the goods to match. Average scoring, great defence and goaltending, they may be enough, but won't carry over to the third round. Ducks might surprise everyone in the league with 7-5 wins. I just love to see Teemu Selänne shoving the pucks to the net like he's 20 again. Hopefully it's another good run for him too and a great motivation to keep on playing. Pretty big numbers on the backs of guys to be passed next on the all time scoring lists. Hall of famers all. Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Bobby Ryan will regroup on the next games and start really spreading fear to all the rest of the West.
I'll end this long post here and try to return with more foresight before it's too late. That being in the beginning of the second round, at latest.
2011/04/04
Regular season heroics, the MVP
Ended up thinking about the MVP honours and decided to share a few words on that too. There are quite a few angles to look at this, but eventually we're often seeing this trophy going to the biggest scorers in the league. Flashy, celebrated, easy to remember moments. Well, there's other trophies for just that. The Art Ross for scoring title and Rocket Richard for most goals. MVP should have deeper justification criteria. Some thoughts will follow..
Goalies, anyone? Hasek got the Hart twice, for significant heroics, Theodore once for maybe a little less. Some guys in the past decades too, but in general it's been a trophy for the players.
Defencemen then? Chris Pronger is the only one since Bobby Orr to get this. And Pronger at his best sure was a dominating player on the ice. One could argue for Ray Bourgue, Niklas Lidström and such greats. Eventually, were talking about the most important forward here.
Defensive forwards? Top plus-minus, most steals, blocks, checks, penalty killing? Naah, we're really talking about another scoring title here. Which is okay, but on the other hand, we could spread the criteria a bit more. Even Pavel Datsuyk hasn't won this and he's about as complete package as it gets on both offence and defence. All-time. Maybe if he'd still have some crushing checking ability, he would be loved all around.
Last years' hottest, Ovechkin and Crosby have already tasted this prize. Something tells me that these guys will have their names on the vase some more times in the years to come. The Sedin twins seem to be taking over the scoring department with speed, so that surname should appear on the trophy a few more times.
Ovien and Crosby are out this season. Ovie punised for playing more defence and Crosby for the unfortunate concussion. Sidney Crosby would have taken this honour this season without a question if he'd been able to play full season. He would have actually beaten last decade's records on the scoring categories too. Let's hope he comes back strong for the next season.
So, who's going to take it this year? My guess is Daniel Sedin. He'll win the Art Ross with ease and he's really been solid all year long. Doesn't matter that he's playing on the most complete team of the season and with a fantastic line with brother Hank and Ryan Kesler. All of the guys are having tremendous seasons.
Some might throw Martin St. Louis in the mix. And why not. He's definitely most points per pound and has really again showed it's a skill game today in NHL. He's benefitted of the awesome linemate Steven Stamkos, who has somehow dimmed down on the second half of the season. In comparison to the brightest stars, of course.. it's tough to get criticism for scoring "only" about a point per game.
Corey Perry has been mentioned. He'll win the Rocket, and has to give big thanks to great linemates Getzlaf and Ryan. Another impact player on an impact line.
Well, apart of these obvious candidates, some credit should go to the "lonely wolves" department. Not that these guys don't have great linemates, but maybe not in the same category as the aforementioned.
Anyway, Jarome Iginla, another solid year, scoring, checking, fighting, really leading by example. Calgary won't make it to the playoffs, so maybe his stock falls a notch on that. Not his fault, though..
What about Henrik Zetterberg? Another good year on points, but really digging deep to do everything on the ice to make the team win. If Datsuyk would have played healthy all year, They'd both be in the mix for Hart.
Young guns, Toews, Kopitar, Richards, leading their teams as captains, scoring massive amounts of points and really showing that they are today's premier players. Maybe in the following years these guys will find another gear and tear the place apart.
And finally, what about the "old gun", Teemu Selänne. There isn't that many 40-year-olds, playing in the second line of a mediocre team that score over point per game. There actually isn't anyone, nor hardly ever has been. One can just stand in amazement and hope for a sequel. Truly the best Finnish player ever and one of the greatest all time in the history of NHL. And one cannot undermine the effect of Selänne's heroics to the Anaheim team just sitting on the better side of playoff bubble. Go Teemu!
Hopefully the selecting writers will expand their horizon a bit and also consider the heros just outside the brightest spotlight!
Goalies, anyone? Hasek got the Hart twice, for significant heroics, Theodore once for maybe a little less. Some guys in the past decades too, but in general it's been a trophy for the players.
Defencemen then? Chris Pronger is the only one since Bobby Orr to get this. And Pronger at his best sure was a dominating player on the ice. One could argue for Ray Bourgue, Niklas Lidström and such greats. Eventually, were talking about the most important forward here.
Defensive forwards? Top plus-minus, most steals, blocks, checks, penalty killing? Naah, we're really talking about another scoring title here. Which is okay, but on the other hand, we could spread the criteria a bit more. Even Pavel Datsuyk hasn't won this and he's about as complete package as it gets on both offence and defence. All-time. Maybe if he'd still have some crushing checking ability, he would be loved all around.
Last years' hottest, Ovechkin and Crosby have already tasted this prize. Something tells me that these guys will have their names on the vase some more times in the years to come. The Sedin twins seem to be taking over the scoring department with speed, so that surname should appear on the trophy a few more times.
Ovien and Crosby are out this season. Ovie punised for playing more defence and Crosby for the unfortunate concussion. Sidney Crosby would have taken this honour this season without a question if he'd been able to play full season. He would have actually beaten last decade's records on the scoring categories too. Let's hope he comes back strong for the next season.
So, who's going to take it this year? My guess is Daniel Sedin. He'll win the Art Ross with ease and he's really been solid all year long. Doesn't matter that he's playing on the most complete team of the season and with a fantastic line with brother Hank and Ryan Kesler. All of the guys are having tremendous seasons.
Some might throw Martin St. Louis in the mix. And why not. He's definitely most points per pound and has really again showed it's a skill game today in NHL. He's benefitted of the awesome linemate Steven Stamkos, who has somehow dimmed down on the second half of the season. In comparison to the brightest stars, of course.. it's tough to get criticism for scoring "only" about a point per game.
Corey Perry has been mentioned. He'll win the Rocket, and has to give big thanks to great linemates Getzlaf and Ryan. Another impact player on an impact line.
Well, apart of these obvious candidates, some credit should go to the "lonely wolves" department. Not that these guys don't have great linemates, but maybe not in the same category as the aforementioned.
Anyway, Jarome Iginla, another solid year, scoring, checking, fighting, really leading by example. Calgary won't make it to the playoffs, so maybe his stock falls a notch on that. Not his fault, though..
What about Henrik Zetterberg? Another good year on points, but really digging deep to do everything on the ice to make the team win. If Datsuyk would have played healthy all year, They'd both be in the mix for Hart.
Young guns, Toews, Kopitar, Richards, leading their teams as captains, scoring massive amounts of points and really showing that they are today's premier players. Maybe in the following years these guys will find another gear and tear the place apart.
And finally, what about the "old gun", Teemu Selänne. There isn't that many 40-year-olds, playing in the second line of a mediocre team that score over point per game. There actually isn't anyone, nor hardly ever has been. One can just stand in amazement and hope for a sequel. Truly the best Finnish player ever and one of the greatest all time in the history of NHL. And one cannot undermine the effect of Selänne's heroics to the Anaheim team just sitting on the better side of playoff bubble. Go Teemu!
Hopefully the selecting writers will expand their horizon a bit and also consider the heros just outside the brightest spotlight!
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