Thought I would take the time to do a quick break down of what to expect for the 2012 NHL Playoffs. Let's start with the East.
#1 New York v. #8 Ottawa
Offense: The Rangers didn't have to rely on heavy scoring to win games, and they probably won't rely on it much in the playoffs. Ottawa on the other hand is the opposite. A run-and-gun shoot 'em up style that earned them the 4th best offense in the league. But it's a lot different when you shoot on Henrik Lundqvist night in and night out.
Advantage Ottawa
Defense: The blue-shirts are one of the top shot blocking teams in the league and boasted the 3rd best defense in the league. Ottawa on the other hand struggled to keep the puck out of their net. If defense wins championships this pick becomes a no brainer.
Advantage New York
Goaltending: Despite Senators goalie Craig Anderson posting 33 wins, his offense bailed him out on most nights. His numbers aren't awful but they will need him to step up his game for any chance of an upset. At the other end of the rink the most consistent goalie in the NHL, "King" Henrik. A GAA below 2.00 and a SV% of .930 are mind blowing for a man who started 62 games.
Advantage New York
Special Teams: The contrast between offensively driven and defensively sound also shows up in the Special Teams debate. Ottawas PP finished just outside the top 10 but their PK finished in the bottom third. The opposite for the Rangers who struggled real bad on the PP but posted a top 5 PK.
Advantage None
X-Factor: This series will ultimately be decided by who can compensate most for their faults. The Rangers need to find a way to score, while the Sens need to make sure they aren't giving up too many chances like they are prone to do.
Result: When it comes down to it defense does win championships. So you have to like the Rangers. They contended for the Presidents Trophy for a reason.
New York in 5
---------------------------------------------------------------------
#2 Boston v. #7 Washington
Offense: Lots of punch in this series. The Bruins boast one of the deepest offensive lineups in the league while Washington goes to it's heavy hitters in a top heavy offense. One has to wonder what the Caps will do if the Bruins manage to shut down Ovechkin, Backstrom and Semin.
Advantage Boston
Defense: The Bruins are once again one of the perennial shutdown teams in the league. With Chara leading the D corps and Bergeron once again getting Selke talk it's tough to score goals on them. Washington once again struggled in their own end and it's a big reason they just squeaked into the playoffs.
Advantage Boston
Goaltending: Since he refused to go to the White House Tim Thomas has struggled. His numbers were still good and if he falters Rask can step in seamlessly. Washington is down to Braden Holtby will get the nod for the Caps, due to the fact Vokoun and Neuvirth are both hurt. Not what you want come this time of year.
Advantage Boston
Special Teams: Neither team had exceptional years in the special teams department. But when it comes down to it, Boston still finished in the top half of the league in both PP and PK, while Washington finished in the bottom half.
Advantage Boston
X-Factor: Can Ovechkin find that next gear. Not that he has been a BAD playoff performer, he just needs to be more of a factor. You can bet he and Chara will get lots of face time and from what I have seen lately from Ovi, I will take Chara.
Result:
Boston in 4
---------------------------------------------------------------------
#3 Florida v. #6 New Jersey
Offense: Don't expect this to be a high scoring series. Neither team is known to light the lamp and when they do it is from the same company every time. Florida relies too much on offense from the defense which may be the downfall come playoff time. The depth just isn't there.
Advantage New Jersey
Defense: Both teams found ways to win games by not giving up a whole lot of goals. It was the sole reason the Panthers made it to the top of the division. While it may not have been elite defending it was good enough. The Devils core is full of stay at home defenders and when the other team has troubles scoring, you don't need to worry about match ups.
Advantage New Jersey
Goaltending: On one end you have one of the best of all time, and at the other you have a goalie resurrecting his career. Martin Brodeur has not put up the numbers he once did but the man has been here time and time again. The questions will come from whether or not Theodore has become a goaltender who can win a series for his team. Because he will likely have to.
Advantage New Jersey
Special Teams: The PP for both teams produced well, the difference comes in the PK. While the Devils have the top PK in the league, the Panthers struggled finishing near the bottom of the league. If NJ gets the PP going there may be no way to stop the bleeding for the Panthers.
Advantage New Jersey
X-Factor: Florida was cut and pasted together in the off season while surprising many with their Division win, and their first playoff appearance in 10 years. The Devils don't boast the once veteran squad that earned them many Stanley Cup Finals appearances but have enough to keep the team in check.
Result:
New Jersey in 6
---------------------------------------------------------------------
#4 Pittsburgh v. #5 Philadelphia
Offense: Malkin, Crosby, Neal, Giroux, Hartnell, Jagr. The talent is endless up front for these teams. There will be no shortage of fire-works in what should be the most exciting series of the first round. The simple math of it is, when you have Crosby and Malkin, it's tough to bet against your offense. Phili's depth is impressive enough to compete but the Pens have the slight advantage.
Advantage Pittsburgh
Defense: The Flyers were hit hard by the injury bug on the back-end and it showed. But some late season additions and the impressive showing from several of their depth players has kept them in contention. Bad goaltending at the beginning of the year was a real factor in their poor GAA. The Penguins did not play as defensively well as they had hoped and it could be troublesome against a deep Flyers team.
Advantage Philadelphia
Goaltending: MA Fleury had another strong season. Not the numbers he would like to see but stellar enough. On the opposite end of the rink the biggest goalie signing of the off-season took a while to find his stride, but the final few months of the season showed why he was worth the money.
Advantage Pittsburgh
Special Teams: Pittsburgh finished in the top 5 in both PP and PK. Impressive considering they missed Letang and Crosby for lengthy periods of time of the year. Philadelphia finished with the same PP% but finished WAY back in the PK department. An issue that is sure to come up against a Pens squad that is dangerous on the man-advantage.
Advantage Pittsburgh
X-Factor: Playing the same people every second night for two weeks is going to generate some hate. It's already here with this series. It is going to get violent, it is going to get ugly and I feel bad for whoever manages to stand atop the rubble at the end. Whoever can keep their focus and discipline will win the series.
Result:
Philadelphia in 7
TJ MOLLAND
No comments:
Post a Comment