NO
i like both faves here. i think the Tor series took A LOT out of the flypeople and we will see it especially the first 2 games.
i can see Cal beatinbg SJ (or rather SJ losing to Cal) but to me - this looks too much like the ducks/wild of last year.
Minny worked their asses off to get to the WC finals and had no gas left in the tank for the ducks. sense we might get the same thing with Cal.
i like both faves here. i think the Tor series took A LOT out of the flypeople and we will see it especially the first 2 games.
i can see Cal beatinbg SJ (or rather SJ losing to Cal) but to me - this looks too much like the ducks/wild of last year.
Minny worked their asses off to get to the WC finals and had no gas left in the tank for the ducks. sense we might get the same thing with Cal.
Calgary can, and will take the finals.
Sutter knows that SJ team like the back of his hand, however, the SJ players also know Kipper's weaknesses. But I also believe Kipper knows Nabakov's weaknesses and will expose them. This is going to be a great series and I see Calgary taking it.
However, I see Tampa Bay taking the other series. Tampa in 5.
Sutter knows that SJ team like the back of his hand, however, the SJ players also know Kipper's weaknesses. But I also believe Kipper knows Nabakov's weaknesses and will expose them. This is going to be a great series and I see Calgary taking it.
However, I see Tampa Bay taking the other series. Tampa in 5.
i feel the flames shot their wad against the red wings, plus they struggle to score
however, i feel the flyers will continue to bang and put shots in th net giving the lighting all they can handle.
i think its an advantage playing every other night or so than to sit and watch as the rusty lighting will be in game 1.
90210
however, i feel the flyers will continue to bang and put shots in th net giving the lighting all they can handle.
i think its an advantage playing every other night or so than to sit and watch as the rusty lighting will be in game 1.
90210
Evan,
Just note since Sutter was shown the door the Sharks have changed in many ways. Nabokov and the some of the vets are the same, but anyone can figure out what the game of Ricci, Harvey, and Damphousse are. I just don't see edges in that. On the other hand Marleau and Cheechoo are nothing like the players they were under Sutter. McLaren is a great addition not having to be the number one guy makes him even better and has improved Rathje as well. I just don't think you can compare this team to what Sutter had before he got canned. And I will still take Ron Wilson over Darryl Sutter coaching in any playoff series. Wilson has a history of taking teams a long way in the playoffs, Sutter has mostly just gotten teams to play above their heads for a series.
Still this is hockey and with two solid goalies either team could win just on the guy between the pipes. I think we will see most games at 4 goals or less, so bounces and luck could be somewhat deciding factors. In the end the team with more depth that has gotten offensive contributions from all 4 lines has to be a bigger threat than a team that has mostly lived off of 2 lines.
Just note since Sutter was shown the door the Sharks have changed in many ways. Nabokov and the some of the vets are the same, but anyone can figure out what the game of Ricci, Harvey, and Damphousse are. I just don't see edges in that. On the other hand Marleau and Cheechoo are nothing like the players they were under Sutter. McLaren is a great addition not having to be the number one guy makes him even better and has improved Rathje as well. I just don't think you can compare this team to what Sutter had before he got canned. And I will still take Ron Wilson over Darryl Sutter coaching in any playoff series. Wilson has a history of taking teams a long way in the playoffs, Sutter has mostly just gotten teams to play above their heads for a series.
Still this is hockey and with two solid goalies either team could win just on the guy between the pipes. I think we will see most games at 4 goals or less, so bounces and luck could be somewhat deciding factors. In the end the team with more depth that has gotten offensive contributions from all 4 lines has to be a bigger threat than a team that has mostly lived off of 2 lines.
Nabokov is still in SJ and Kipper is not, despite his higher contract demands. That should tell you all the reason why he is a better goalie. Sharks scouts are the absolute best in the business when it comes to goalies and they were 100% convinced Nabokov is and will continue to be a better goalie. They rated Toskala about even with Kipper, but Kipper wanted out so he was the one shipped off.
In the east I am not sure. Philly has played 2 teams with defenses that are suspect (the defensmen not the goalies) NJ not very deep on the backline this year and theLeafs (when Leetch and Mccabe are your top pair you got problems) The TB defense is pretty solid but they have not faced a team that goes to the net like the Flyers. Philly has not faced a team with the skill of TB. Im confused now.
TB hasn't faced a good team period. The level of competition faced so far by the East teams is very different. Canadiens and Islanders probably would have to be considered the two weakest teams in the playoffs, especially with how Nashville made a good accounting for themselves. And you hit it on the nail, the Flyers are all about putting pucks on the net and then banging away at them. That is the only way you are going to beat this goalie, he is dominant when the shooter is coming at him straight on and outside of 20 feet. You have to get him moving, get him scrambling, and deflect pucks coming at him. The first two teams did very little of that, but that looks to change in this round.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by WildBill:
TB hasn't faced a good team period. The level of competition faced so far by the East teams is very different. Canadiens and Islanders probably would have to be considered the two weakest teams in the playoffs, especially with how Nashville made a good accounting for themselves. And you hit it on the nail, the Flyers are all about putting pucks on the net and then banging away at them. That is the only way you are going to beat this goalie, he is dominant when the shooter is coming at him straight on and outside of 20 feet. You have to get him moving, get him scrambling, and deflect pucks coming at him. The first two teams did very little of that, but that looks to change in this round.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Agree on all points especially the fact that Tampa hasn't been tested yet by two of the lesser playoff caliber teams.
And I agree that Philly will pound the net. It's their only chance of winning. But the assessment that they need to "get him moving, get him scrambling, and deflect pucks coming at him." and that he is "dominant when the shooter is coming at him straight on and outside of 20 feet" kind of descibes every goalie that plays in the NHL. Saying it and doing are two different things. Habi the Hoover doesn't give up rebounds and that is the key to this series.
TB hasn't faced a good team period. The level of competition faced so far by the East teams is very different. Canadiens and Islanders probably would have to be considered the two weakest teams in the playoffs, especially with how Nashville made a good accounting for themselves. And you hit it on the nail, the Flyers are all about putting pucks on the net and then banging away at them. That is the only way you are going to beat this goalie, he is dominant when the shooter is coming at him straight on and outside of 20 feet. You have to get him moving, get him scrambling, and deflect pucks coming at him. The first two teams did very little of that, but that looks to change in this round.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Agree on all points especially the fact that Tampa hasn't been tested yet by two of the lesser playoff caliber teams.
And I agree that Philly will pound the net. It's their only chance of winning. But the assessment that they need to "get him moving, get him scrambling, and deflect pucks coming at him." and that he is "dominant when the shooter is coming at him straight on and outside of 20 feet" kind of descibes every goalie that plays in the NHL. Saying it and doing are two different things. Habi the Hoover doesn't give up rebounds and that is the key to this series.
I guess you do have a point, at this juncture each goalie does pretty much stone opponents from outside the slot. Still the point remains that the Isles and Canadiens didn't do much of what the Flyers do. Koivu scored his goals charging the net and the one Isles win was thanks to a deflection and a couple of close in shots after rebounds if I remember correctly.
Bill I hate the fact that people think that the west has better teams and better competition. Det/Col/Dal have not been in the conference finals for 2 years running now. they are overrated.
The reason TB has not faced a "good team yet" is because they earned that right by finishing 1st.
In the west I have decided on the Flamers. I think they are deeper and have the best player in Iginla.
The reason TB has not faced a "good team yet" is because they earned that right by finishing 1st.
In the west I have decided on the Flamers. I think they are deeper and have the best player in Iginla.
Flames are far from a deeper team, but I found Nabokov's performance today a bit disturbing. Although hard to fault him on some of the goals as 3 of them were point blank shots, he seemed to find ways to keep those out in the other series. Beyond that though I think the Sharks really controlled the tempo and play for long stretches and they tend to do that. Flames cashed in a high percentage of their very good chances and they did that today as well. I still think though the Sharks are a deeper team with a lot more talent down on the 3rd and 4th lines, not to mention better defense once you get past the first couple players on each side. Deeper team though certainly doesn't guarantee wins or winning of the series, but even in losing I think the Sharks are going to have more scoring chances in almost every game and it will be up to them to put them away if they are to move on.
As for the competition level, well that is a matter of opinion so I will just leave it as is that we feel differently on that.
As for the competition level, well that is a matter of opinion so I will just leave it as is that we feel differently on that.
