Daily Joust!
Time for Daily Joust ladies and gentlemen, go check out the best daily fantasy gaming website out there NOW!
Michael Chambers & Co. LLC has a team of lawyers in Cyprus specializing in Cyprus Corporate Law and Civil Litigation and all aspects of Cyprus law.
| 30 April 2009
A special thanks to Ryan who put this all together...I may not agree with all of them but hey they reflect his excellent work as always.
How they got here…
Canucks-
4-0 series win over STL
Blackhawks-
4-2 series win over CGY
Season Series…
Tied 2-2
Previous Playoff Meeting…
1995 Western Conference Semifinals (4-0 Blackhawks)
RLD ‘Playoff Formula’…
Canucks- 46.54
Blackhawks- 54.95
RLD ‘Playoff Formula’ Predicts…
Blackhawks in 6 or 7
Tale of the Tape…
Forwards-
Edge: Even… I like the Canucks’ top half of the lineup, but the ‘Hawks 3rd and 4th lines are solid.
Defensemen-
Edge: Canucks… Vancouver’s back end is big and physical, and they play great team D. Slight edge to the Canucks because of the latter.
Goaltending-
Edge: Canucks… All respect to Khabibulin, but Roberto Luongo is on another planet right now.
Special Teams-
Edge: Even… Both teams were fairly even in the regular season, and both have PK’s that are executing efficiently.
Coaching-
Edge: Blackhawks… The edge goes to Joel Quenneville’s veteran experience.
Experience-
Edge: Canucks… This team has more veterans who’ve been in the playoffs, although none of them have won a Cup.
Team X-Factors…
Canucks-
Mats Sundin… When I evaluate the Canucks’ roster, Sundin is a guy I look at to up his game. There’s $8.6 million reasons why Vancouver signed him… and one of those reasons was to go deep in the playoffs. Sundin scored 1 goal in the 2 games he played in the first round, as he missed the last 2 games with a sore groin. He’s played well against Chicago this year and throughout his career. We assume the Sedins will do well here, but if Sundin can get the 2nd line with Demitra and Kesler going, look for Vancouver to advance.
Blackhawks-
Martin Havlat… He had kind of an up-and-down series vs. the Flames. He was great in Games 1, 3, and 5; but then was almost nonexistent in Game 2, 4, and 6. I really think he’s going to have be more consistent here in the 2nd round. Unlike most of the ‘Hawks, Havlat has been this deep in the playoffs before when he was with Ottawa. Chicago has a good chance to move on if Havlat can score big goals.
Key Injuries…
Canucks-
D Sami Salo (lower-body, expected to be ready for start of series)
C Mats Sundin (groin, expected to be ready for start of series)
LW Taylor Pyatt (personal, status for series unknown)
Blackhawks-
D Brent Sopel (elbow, status for series unknown)
Keys to the Series…
Canucks-
1. The Sedins… The twins’ puck possession has been great and really stepped up vs. St. Louis. They’ll be going up against a better blue line, and probably the pairing of Keith and Seabrook. #22 and #33 will have to find a way to run their ‘half-court offense’ efficiently.
2. PK vs. Chicago’s PP… The ‘Hawks man advantage was solid in the first round. But Vancouver’s penalty kill was spectacular, killing 24 of the Blues’ 25 power plays. Something’s gotta give here, and the Canucks’ PK has to keep up their success here.
Blackhawks-
1. Take Game 1 or 2… To me, Chicago can go steal a game in Vancouver early in this series, with the Canucks having 9-10 days off before Game 1. If the Canucks pick up right where they left off, the ‘Hawks are in trouble. Games 1 and 2 are critical for Chicago.
2. Top line outplays Vancouver’s… Kane/Toews/Sharp has been a great trio so far, but they’ll have to outplay the Canucks’ top line of Burrows/H. Sedin/D. Sedin. That line’s puck possession will bring many opportunities for the Canucks.
Why the Canucks will win…
You can talk about Sundin, the Sedins and their PK all you want. But Roberto Luongo is the obvious difference maker in this series. If he plays like he did against the Blues, the Canucks will likely move on. He posted a ridiculous .962 save percentage, and a 1.16 goals against in round one. Other reasons why Vancouver will take down Chicago are special teams and scoring from the blue line.
Why the Blackhawks will win…
Chicago is going up against a much more efficient and healthier team in Vancouver rather than Calgary. I believe this is a tough matchup for the ‘Hawks, but they’ll push this series to the limit. Nikolai Khabibulin will have to outplay Luongo… the top line will have to outplay the Sedins… and the blue line and checking lines will have to continue to be really physical. If those three things happen, I like Chicago’s chances. But I just don’t see it at this moment.
PREDICTION… CANUCKS IN 7
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
