Post by LeafsGM (nt22) on Jun 16, 2013 10:29:26 GMT -7
VHA STANLEY CUP Playoffs Season 3
EAST
Philadelphia Flyers (1) vs New York Islanders (8)
Round one will begun with the POWER house Flyers vs the Islanders. Although Islanders have some great talent the Flyers are the heavy favorite. The Keys to this success with rest on the shoulders of the leading scorer of the regular season Marian Gaborik with 90 goals in 82 games. As much as Gaborik has been a great success most Flyers fan feel their fate lies on talents of the bear fearing Brzygalov. Although Bryz's stats look good its due most because of the ever dangerous offence of the Flyers that has carried this team. Brzy has been nothing but sub par and has been the Achilles heal of the franchise. The Islanders have some weapons of their own including the likes of Grabner, Couture and Hemsky. They will need help from all four lines with exceptional defence to have any chance against the number one team in the east.
Goalie Match Up
Bryzgalov 2.24 89.97 Vs Lehtonen 2.82 89.97%
Injures
Flyers – No Injuires
Islanders
Higgins (1 game with injured leg)
Jornsuu (1 game with mild concussion)
Campoli (11 games post concussion syndrome)
Donovan (2 games with injuried leg)
Ultimately the Flyers will be too much for the Islanders and will go down in 4.
Flyers in 4
Florida (2) vs New York Rangers (7)
The Panthers host the Rangers in their first round battle in the east and may have more to handle than they think. Rewind to last year when the Rangers squeaked into the playoffs in the 6 seed and beat the Jets in first round. Although the Panthers are a great team they need to get to the Rangers and take all hope away fast. If they are unable to choke them out early the Rangers will pounce and could find themselves in the 2nd round again this year.
Panthers are not stacked with star power but overflow with a blue collar hard working team. Ladd was the teams leading scorer with 30 goals and they will depend on his scoring touch as well as his leadership for victories. This is one match up where goal tending could very well take over the series. Both teams have great goalie tandems with Florida: Schneider and Nabokov and Rangers: Fleury and Lundquist. The Rangers are no strangers to the post season and in the end it will give them a great edge. Look for this series to be one of the best of the first round.
Goalie Match Up
Schneider 1.88 91.19 vs Lundquist 2.77 90.09
Injuries
Panthers - NONE
Rangers
Turris (1 game with mild concussion)
This may be the gem of the first round, i think Rangers in the think will over come the Panthers.
Rangers in 7
Boston Bruins (3) vs Ottawa Senators (6)
Boston take their first step of the post season with the Senators. Sens have been on a slide in the last half of the season while the Bruins have really found their mojo. Both teams have a few injured players but the Boston depth will be tested more than the Sens. Having their 2nd line center Savard out at least the first two to three rounds, Gaustad will have to step up and they will be counting on him and all lines to produce. With this current adversity it has given the Bruins another gear and look for Stastny to lead the Bruins to a great series.
The Sens who seem a little unglued may need a early exit to equip the team with the talent they need to be a force in the upcoming season. Although a ok season for the Ottawa crew they have lacked consistency in the last half of the season. If they can really focus and take the Bruins by surprise they could have a shot. Whoever wins the first game will take the series.
Goalie Match up
Dipietro 2.97 88.50% vs Anderson 2.92 88.69%
Injuries
Bruins
Savard (19 games with fractured ankle)
Boyes (17 games with bruised ribs)
Maxwell (11 games with broken leg)
Senators
Eaves (28 games with post concussion syndrome)
Johansen(4 games with injuired ribs)
Ottawa seems to lacking confedence and it will show when the Bruins sweep the Sens in 4
Bruins in 4
Montreal (4) vs Toronto (5)
One of the best Rivalries in hockey is set up for the 1st round in the east. Montreal vs Toronto. Montreal has been steady all year long while the Leafs have struggled off and on. Montreal relentlessly massaged their roster until they found the pieces that worked and seem to on the right road to a good playoff run.
The Leafs on the other hand was the champs just a year ago and are plugged with great depth and powerhouses like Stamkos, Price and Malkin. The leafs love to get fancy with the puck and it may cost them on a very smart and opportunistic Montreal team. The Habs have 5 members with 30 goals or more while Toronto has 3. Look for the Habs to have good even attack and overall shut down the buds.
Goalie Match up
Rask 3.13 88.66% vs Price 2.77 89.46%
Injuries - NONE
This match up looks fantastic on paper but i predict the Canadian's dismantling the leafs and taking the champs out in the first round.
Montreal in 4
WEST
Calgary Flames (1) vs Phoenix Coyotes (8)
A total flop the season before the Flames went from worst to first. Before anyone hands them the cup they have to beat the Coyotes. Although the Coyotes are the 8th ranked team they are not to be taken lightly. Phoenix is coached well and they have game plans. The Flames Gm will be watched closely as he was fired mid playoff run with questionable play. Look for the Flames GM to make a statement and put the past behind him. The Coyotes probably would be way off if they were not facing the #1 team in the west, it may prove to be too much. Look for Phoenix to set up their cycle game and try to control all the puck possession. If Calgary breaks up any of Phoenix's momentum it will be pretty fast series.
Goalie Match up
Smith 3.04 87.56% vs Reimer 2.78 89.81%
Injuries
Flames
Perron (4 games with concussion)
Nyquist (19 games with broken leg)
Coyotes
Fedotenko (36 games with post concussion syndrome)
Flames will win but Phoenix will scare them with one game lose.
Flames in 5
Dallas Stars (2) vs Colorado Avalanche (7)
After taking a first round exit in the last post season, Stars are looking for redemption while they face the Avalanche. Stars will be missing some players in the first round but as long as they can get contributions from Benn and Carlson they should be fine. After a not so good seasons in the years past the Avalanche have come back with a great effort. A creative and unpredictable offensive team the Avalanche my take the Stars off guard and make them make all the mistakes.
Goalie Match Up
Bernier 3.24 87.61% vs Varlamov 2.50 89.89%
Injuries
Stars
Belanger (7 games with mild concussion)
Seguin (3 games with injuried ribs)
Stepan (6 games with pulled groin)
Avalanche
Jones (27 games with a broken leg)
Newton (8 games with post concussion syndrome)
After a disappointing 1st round elimination last season the Stars will use that disappointment as the fuel to win this series.
Stars in 5
Chicago Blackhawks (3) vs San Jose Sharks (6)
Last seasons President trophy winners take on the Sharks in their first round battle. Both teams advanced to the 2nd round last season and both want history to repeat itself. While the Hawks have not dominated like the season before they seem poised for the conference final for unfinished business. Sharks are talented and look for them to shut the scoring punch of the Hawks down. Sharks will need major performance from their
top guns: Kesler, Vanek and the forever young Daniel Alfredsson. Hawks will need their key players like Toews, Kane and Hossa to take it the Hawks with their speed and precision shooting.
Goalie Match Up
Vokoun 3.07 87.81 vs Mason 2.52 89.88%
Injuries
Blackhawks – NONE
Sharks
Zherdev (4 games fractured jaw)
Mursak (10 games with post concussion syndrome)
Atkinson (21 games with herniated disc)
Hawks will shake off a less stellar regular season with a first round domination.
Hawks in 4
Vancouver (4) vs Detriot Red Wings (5)
Setting up for a classic the Wings and Canuck clash in the first round. Vancouver one of the most consistent clubs of the whole season, while the Wings will not go down without a fight. Canucks have had many a close games this season but its willingness to fight to the end and battle ever minute. Canucks was a wreak until new GM vReckless was hired on the off season after signing some FA and some trades they find themselves in a great position. Wings although starting age will look their at their corner stone players to take the team once again on their back to play off glory.
Goalie match up
Bobrovsky 2.66 88.81% vs Halak 2.78 89.00%
Injuries
Canucks – NONE
Red Wings
Foligno (39 games with elbow surgery)
Beleskey (4 games with injured foot)
This will be a very close maybe the closest of the match ups. It will go 7.
Canucks in 7
EAST
Philadelphia Flyers (1) vs New York Islanders (8)
Round one will begun with the POWER house Flyers vs the Islanders. Although Islanders have some great talent the Flyers are the heavy favorite. The Keys to this success with rest on the shoulders of the leading scorer of the regular season Marian Gaborik with 90 goals in 82 games. As much as Gaborik has been a great success most Flyers fan feel their fate lies on talents of the bear fearing Brzygalov. Although Bryz's stats look good its due most because of the ever dangerous offence of the Flyers that has carried this team. Brzy has been nothing but sub par and has been the Achilles heal of the franchise. The Islanders have some weapons of their own including the likes of Grabner, Couture and Hemsky. They will need help from all four lines with exceptional defence to have any chance against the number one team in the east.
Goalie Match Up
Bryzgalov 2.24 89.97 Vs Lehtonen 2.82 89.97%
Injures
Flyers – No Injuires
Islanders
Higgins (1 game with injured leg)
Jornsuu (1 game with mild concussion)
Campoli (11 games post concussion syndrome)
Donovan (2 games with injuried leg)
Ultimately the Flyers will be too much for the Islanders and will go down in 4.
Flyers in 4
Florida (2) vs New York Rangers (7)
The Panthers host the Rangers in their first round battle in the east and may have more to handle than they think. Rewind to last year when the Rangers squeaked into the playoffs in the 6 seed and beat the Jets in first round. Although the Panthers are a great team they need to get to the Rangers and take all hope away fast. If they are unable to choke them out early the Rangers will pounce and could find themselves in the 2nd round again this year.
Panthers are not stacked with star power but overflow with a blue collar hard working team. Ladd was the teams leading scorer with 30 goals and they will depend on his scoring touch as well as his leadership for victories. This is one match up where goal tending could very well take over the series. Both teams have great goalie tandems with Florida: Schneider and Nabokov and Rangers: Fleury and Lundquist. The Rangers are no strangers to the post season and in the end it will give them a great edge. Look for this series to be one of the best of the first round.
Goalie Match Up
Schneider 1.88 91.19 vs Lundquist 2.77 90.09
Injuries
Panthers - NONE
Rangers
Turris (1 game with mild concussion)
This may be the gem of the first round, i think Rangers in the think will over come the Panthers.
Rangers in 7
Boston Bruins (3) vs Ottawa Senators (6)
Boston take their first step of the post season with the Senators. Sens have been on a slide in the last half of the season while the Bruins have really found their mojo. Both teams have a few injured players but the Boston depth will be tested more than the Sens. Having their 2nd line center Savard out at least the first two to three rounds, Gaustad will have to step up and they will be counting on him and all lines to produce. With this current adversity it has given the Bruins another gear and look for Stastny to lead the Bruins to a great series.
The Sens who seem a little unglued may need a early exit to equip the team with the talent they need to be a force in the upcoming season. Although a ok season for the Ottawa crew they have lacked consistency in the last half of the season. If they can really focus and take the Bruins by surprise they could have a shot. Whoever wins the first game will take the series.
Goalie Match up
Dipietro 2.97 88.50% vs Anderson 2.92 88.69%
Injuries
Bruins
Savard (19 games with fractured ankle)
Boyes (17 games with bruised ribs)
Maxwell (11 games with broken leg)
Senators
Eaves (28 games with post concussion syndrome)
Johansen(4 games with injuired ribs)
Ottawa seems to lacking confedence and it will show when the Bruins sweep the Sens in 4
Bruins in 4
Montreal (4) vs Toronto (5)
One of the best Rivalries in hockey is set up for the 1st round in the east. Montreal vs Toronto. Montreal has been steady all year long while the Leafs have struggled off and on. Montreal relentlessly massaged their roster until they found the pieces that worked and seem to on the right road to a good playoff run.
The Leafs on the other hand was the champs just a year ago and are plugged with great depth and powerhouses like Stamkos, Price and Malkin. The leafs love to get fancy with the puck and it may cost them on a very smart and opportunistic Montreal team. The Habs have 5 members with 30 goals or more while Toronto has 3. Look for the Habs to have good even attack and overall shut down the buds.
Goalie Match up
Rask 3.13 88.66% vs Price 2.77 89.46%
Injuries - NONE
This match up looks fantastic on paper but i predict the Canadian's dismantling the leafs and taking the champs out in the first round.
Montreal in 4
WEST
Calgary Flames (1) vs Phoenix Coyotes (8)
A total flop the season before the Flames went from worst to first. Before anyone hands them the cup they have to beat the Coyotes. Although the Coyotes are the 8th ranked team they are not to be taken lightly. Phoenix is coached well and they have game plans. The Flames Gm will be watched closely as he was fired mid playoff run with questionable play. Look for the Flames GM to make a statement and put the past behind him. The Coyotes probably would be way off if they were not facing the #1 team in the west, it may prove to be too much. Look for Phoenix to set up their cycle game and try to control all the puck possession. If Calgary breaks up any of Phoenix's momentum it will be pretty fast series.
Goalie Match up
Smith 3.04 87.56% vs Reimer 2.78 89.81%
Injuries
Flames
Perron (4 games with concussion)
Nyquist (19 games with broken leg)
Coyotes
Fedotenko (36 games with post concussion syndrome)
Flames will win but Phoenix will scare them with one game lose.
Flames in 5
Dallas Stars (2) vs Colorado Avalanche (7)
After taking a first round exit in the last post season, Stars are looking for redemption while they face the Avalanche. Stars will be missing some players in the first round but as long as they can get contributions from Benn and Carlson they should be fine. After a not so good seasons in the years past the Avalanche have come back with a great effort. A creative and unpredictable offensive team the Avalanche my take the Stars off guard and make them make all the mistakes.
Goalie Match Up
Bernier 3.24 87.61% vs Varlamov 2.50 89.89%
Injuries
Stars
Belanger (7 games with mild concussion)
Seguin (3 games with injuried ribs)
Stepan (6 games with pulled groin)
Avalanche
Jones (27 games with a broken leg)
Newton (8 games with post concussion syndrome)
After a disappointing 1st round elimination last season the Stars will use that disappointment as the fuel to win this series.
Stars in 5
Chicago Blackhawks (3) vs San Jose Sharks (6)
Last seasons President trophy winners take on the Sharks in their first round battle. Both teams advanced to the 2nd round last season and both want history to repeat itself. While the Hawks have not dominated like the season before they seem poised for the conference final for unfinished business. Sharks are talented and look for them to shut the scoring punch of the Hawks down. Sharks will need major performance from their
top guns: Kesler, Vanek and the forever young Daniel Alfredsson. Hawks will need their key players like Toews, Kane and Hossa to take it the Hawks with their speed and precision shooting.
Goalie Match Up
Vokoun 3.07 87.81 vs Mason 2.52 89.88%
Injuries
Blackhawks – NONE
Sharks
Zherdev (4 games fractured jaw)
Mursak (10 games with post concussion syndrome)
Atkinson (21 games with herniated disc)
Hawks will shake off a less stellar regular season with a first round domination.
Hawks in 4
Vancouver (4) vs Detriot Red Wings (5)
Setting up for a classic the Wings and Canuck clash in the first round. Vancouver one of the most consistent clubs of the whole season, while the Wings will not go down without a fight. Canucks have had many a close games this season but its willingness to fight to the end and battle ever minute. Canucks was a wreak until new GM vReckless was hired on the off season after signing some FA and some trades they find themselves in a great position. Wings although starting age will look their at their corner stone players to take the team once again on their back to play off glory.
Goalie match up
Bobrovsky 2.66 88.81% vs Halak 2.78 89.00%
Injuries
Canucks – NONE
Red Wings
Foligno (39 games with elbow surgery)
Beleskey (4 games with injured foot)
This will be a very close maybe the closest of the match ups. It will go 7.
Canucks in 7