NHL Tuesday

VegasVic · May 11, 2004

I’ve been laying low in the weeds this playoff season but that doesn’t mean that I haven’t been watching the goings on. Two observations that need to be addressed.

1) Forget goaltending wins championships, at least for the time being. It’s the shootout at the O.K. corral.

Calgary / San Jose OVER 4.5 +113

The look of the first game should be repeated with a historical number of shots on goal being recorded and it doesn’t matter who’s in net or how well he’s been playing, without team defense in front of you the biscuit will find the basket. (just ask the ‘Bulin Wall’ after last night)

From NHL.com

As usual, much of the credit for Calgary's success in Game 1 must rest at the feet of goalie Miika Kiprusoff, who made 49 saves in the contest. San Jose's 52 shots were a franchise playoff record for the Sharks, obliterating the previous mark of 43.
"We've got more where that came from,'' said Ron Wilson, the Sharks coach. "It's disappointing to lose the game the way we did, on kind of a detail thing, a bad change. ... With 52 shots, I think we could have had 62 shots. We'll play the same way the next game, take our chances."

Second observation….

Don’t start looking for a hedge on your Tampa Bay Lightning futures after the 6-2 trouncing they took last night. After winning 8 straight playoff games it was bound to happen and it could be the best thing to happen. It sets up two games in Philly where they will be a moderate dog and deserve being backed each game. Winning one of the two will happen and with any luck perhaps they could go back to St. Pete up 3 games to 1.

NHL single unit plays………102-79-8.…..+ 23.15
Unit and a half plays………..16-8-1.…… + 11.31

NHL total to Date…………...118-87-9.……+ 34.46

WildBill · May 11, 2004

Interesting call. I still can't believe the number of shots they got off in the last game. I mean the Sharks were getting 15-25 shots against the Avs, a far lesser defensive team. The Flames were having games with 2 or 3 shots a period against the Wings, once again a team that plays a lot less defensive game. Only thing I can think of that brought this on is that either the two teams aren't as afraid of the other's offense or at least counterattack skills or that was a statistical aberration that won't be repeated. Personally I expect a game at 3 or less tonight, but maybe you are right about these two just deciding to take it to each other offensively. For the uncertainty reasons I am just passing, want to see another to see what the true pace is going to be.

Mr.Leisure · May 11, 2004

vic, Iam on the over with you.
Thanks for informative write-ups
good luck!!!

Mr NJ Sports · May 11, 2004

I have Calgary in the series but I really like SJ tonight. Usually in the Conf finals a team bounces back at home after dropping game 1. 7-1 last 6 seasons.
I like your over call. Last game, some goals were fluky(is that a word) but the goalies made some great saves or it woulda been 5-5 heading to OT.

SportSavant · May 11, 2004

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Don’t start looking for a hedge on your Tampa Bay Lightning futures after the 6-2 trouncing they took last night. After winning 8 straight playoff games it was bound to happen and it could be the best thing to happen. It sets up two games in Philly where they will be a moderate dog and deserve being backed each game. Winning one of the two will happen and with any luck perhaps they could go back to St. Pete up 3 games to 1.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

correct me if i am wrong, but did you not pick the Flyers to win the cup on LUKE's radio show...guess u hve changed ur mind?

nonetheless, Flyers are now in the Driver's seat with 3 of the next 4 games in their building where Playoff oponents have yet to win this year. Flyers have the edge in experience & size...perhaps they have the edge in coaching aswell..Tortolini looked pretty frazzled in the post game interview. Flyers may also have the edge in the HUNGER factor...this team has been close often & has tons of veterens....

Do concede the edge in goaltending to Tampa Bay...however Philly has many more 'Game Breakers' than Tampa Bay Does.

VegasVic · May 11, 2004

Okay Savant...you make a good point...I'm all over the Flyers Thursday and the day after and the day after and the......NOT! lol
Yeah I picked the Flyers and the Sharks to meet in the Cup finals with the Flyers taking it home but I did that before the playoffs started. I became a believer in the Bolts sometime during their repetative wins against the Islanders.

You are so right in the intangable of the veteran hunger factor of the Flyers. Beyond that I think the Bolts are a better team, (unless they stop helping out Habi and he doesn't fall flat on his face again). They certainly are at least a equal to the Flyers and if that is correct than don't you believe that the value is in taking the Bolts in both game 3 and 4 as a dog?

The Lightning didn't fade under the pressure that the Belle centre can produce to young men coming back home to play the biggest games of their young careers. In fact they flourished. These guys are not going to be intimidated by Philly or their fans, IMHO.

Mr. NJ...I too love the Sharks but the price has me playing the role of spectator on the side. Though the the puck line at +176 is tempting.

SportSavant · May 11, 2004

remember, tampa bay beat NYI & MTL...two teams who for all intensive purposes were hit & miss as to wether they would even be in the playoffs...

the NYI are not the same as PHA & as for MTL neither are they. Although I do concede the goaltending factor I am not of the opinion that the 'team' outside the goaltenders are that far apart in skill...In fact I would contend that the Flyers are more skilled & habve more than enough speed with players like gagne, zhamnov & Recchi...Not to Mention the Huge Power Forwards Leclair, Primeau & Roenick. Tampa's wide open hockey will also create opportunities for Phillies Forwards.

The older Flyer players will likely benefit more from this rest aswell....