Saturday, May 6, 2006
NHL's First Round Knockout
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I don't know what's more exciting about the NHL playoffs — is it because we missed hockey so much last summer or could it be that it's actually electrifying? To me, the postseason was always a mixture of goaltending glory, hard hits, brawls, great goals, and wild crowds. The winner of any series had to give is all: blood, sweat, tears, while the loser faded away quicker than Star Jones.
Speaking of Stars, Dallas was eliminated by Colorado. The Western Conference is leaving experts wondering how the West will be won. Upset after another from Edmonton beating Detroit, to Anaheim putting Flames out in Calgary in seven games. None of the top four seeds in the West made it out of the first round.
San Jose will be facing the Edmonton Oilers. It seems like being nominated for the Hart trophy is enough for Joe Thornton, who went heartless and goal-less in round one. Rumor has it in Boston that he vanishes comes playoffs time. Looks like history is repeating itself as stats show in 40 playoffs career goals, he's got 6. And as Joe Thornton disappears, so does Jonathan Cheechoo with two goals vs. Nashville. The Oilers are at the top of their game at every position and not too many experts expected much from them. The surprise will be enormous, as they will take the series in six.
As for Anaheim versus Colorado, José Théodore is certainly happy to be in round two and not his old Montreal Canadiens team. He posted great numbers in the first round (2.64 GAA, .910 save pct), but who is really convinced of how consistent he can be? Colorado will be fine against Anaheim only if Theo is confident. Joe Sakic, Alex Tanguay, and Milan Hejduk are back at the top of their games. The Ducks, on the other hand, are a good team, but burned from the series with the Flames. Avalanche will win in six.
For the East, it's any team's feast. The Ottawa Senators are waiting to display their legislative powers over the Buffalo Sabres, the clear underdog in this series. However, not to be taken lightly, Buffalo routed Philadelphia in round one. The Sabres are a great team, but allowed a Flyer team to give them a shock in round one. After jumping out to a 2-0 series lead, they let Philly tiptoe back into the series and needed six games to make it happen. They can't allow to play like that against the Sens who will surely make them pay.
Fans in Ottawa expect nothing less than the Stanley Cup from their Super Sens teams. Their kryptonite Toronto Maple Leafs team is no threat, failing to make the playoffs this season. The rivalry with the Sens and Leafs, better known as the Battle of Ontario, was sparked by repeated meetings in the postseason, with Toronto having the upper hand.
This season, the Sens were able to knock off the ex-heavyweight champions Tampa Bay Lightning in Muhammad Ali fashion — floating like butterflies, stinging like bees. During a third period brawl April 25, Vincent Lecavalier surely got his lesson, reminding the rest of us that even if you take boxing classes, Zdeno Chara (the Big Z) can still lay down the smack down. The 6-foot-9 Ottawa defenseman cocked his right arm and held it in a sinister way over Lecavalier, who was down on the ice ironically playing defense, but showed mercy by not throwing the big punch. Hopefully, Buffalo took notes on that one, and will have many weapons against Big Z Goliath Chara.
Even after last night's win, the Sabres still won't be able to match up with the likes of Jason Spezza, Dany Heatley, and Martin Havlat, who combined for 30 points in five games against Tampa. The Senators will take the series in six and on to win their Stanley Cup without the Dominator.
It seems like the Beast of the East is New Jersey. After spreading its wrath in Philadelphia, the Devils continue their course for world dominance in Carolina. This should be a phenomenal series and we're going to find out if Cam Ward of Carolina is the real deal. However, looking down the other end facing future Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur, who hasn't lost a game in over a month, will be a test. New Jersey hasn't lost a hockey game since March 26th. I believe the Devils should be able to take these series in six.
The 2004-05 NHL lockout resulted in the cancellation of what would have been the 88th season. But thanks to teams' stellar play and performance, the NHL and NHLPA were able to score big with fans with the return of postseason hockey, delivering a first round knockout and leaving the door open to a second bout for much more.