By: Mike Dunshee
Hockey Stats and Analysis at www.mikedunshee.com
Only eight teams remain in the quest for the Cup and the race at this point is as wide open as it has ever been. The most interesting storyline may be that of the goalies; in each conference two legends (Brodeur and Hasek) remain while the rest of the six teams all have netminders looking to prove their postseason mettle and raise the big trophy for the first time. While Brodeur and Hasek need no introduction, here is a quick run down of the other seven (SJ platoon):
Ryan Miller –Buffalo- The sophomore is already the best US born goalie in the NHL and should be a fixture in Buffalo for years to come. Won two rounds in the playoffs last season before falling in seven games to the eventually champion Hurricanes. Some questions about consistency as he hit a few rough patches during the season.
Ray Emery – Ottawa – Another sophomore, Emery was thrust into a starting role last season after Hasek injured his groin in the Olympics. Emery played well but the Sens had their annual playoff disappointment. After Ottawa signed Martin Gerber in the off season, Emery was again slated to be the backup, but Gerber struggled badly and Emery took the reins early in the season. Regarded as rather fiery, Emery could quickly become a local legend if he is the man to finally get Ottawa over the hump.
Henrik Lundqvist – NY Rangers – Yet another second year player, Lundqvist was a surprise rookie breakout last season as he posted huge regular season number and won the Gold Medal for native Sweden. After disappointing playoffs, last year, Henrik started this season cold but has bounced back strong and is looking as good as any other goalie right now.
Roberto Loungo – Vancouver – Loungo is already considered to be, if not the best, one of the best three goalies in the league. Finally saved from exile in Miami, Loungo put up an MVP type season and now this is the first playoff test for Loungo. He passed the first series with flying colors and now looks to build his post season resume. It should be only a matter of when, not if, when a goalie this good raises the Cup.
J.S. Giguere – Anaheim – Giguere grabbed all the headlines in the 02-03 playoffs as he lead the upstart Ducks to within one game of the Cup. Still, not many would list J.S. as one of the top ten backstoppers in the league. After a very strong regular season Giguere and the Ducks are in position for another run that could push him into the games elite. With impending UFA status in a goalie starved market, a deep playoff run couldn’t be better timed for Giguere.
Evgeni Nabokov/Vesa Toskala – San Jose – The Sharks have a true two-headed monster in goal as Toskala and Nabokov split playing time for the second straight year. Nabokov appeared in 50 regular season games and Toskala 38; Nabokov played all the minutes in the Sharks first round victory over Nashville, so he at the moment has the upper hand. Nabokov won two rounds in 03-04 and Toskala played all played all but 11 minutes for the Sharks in the playoffs last year, winning one round. If either rides the job to a San Jose Cup, that should solve the starting problem for the Sharks. Given the goalie situation for a number of teams around the league, it is a pretty nice problem to have.
Series Predictions:
EAST
(1) Buffalo vs. (6) New York Rangers
The Rangers had the easiest first round, quickly dispatching the Thrashers in a sweep. They also have the most talented player in the series in the mercurial Jaromir Jagr. Given these factors, Buffalo is just too deep and too fast for the Rangers.
SABRES IN 5
(2) New Jersey vs. (4) Ottawa
The Devils have the proven system and the steady Hall of Fame goalie. The Senators have the big talents that haven’t got it done in the postseason and the young, unproven, flamboyant goalie. Still I think New Jersey just doesn’t have the blue line presence of past to hold off the Ottawa attack.
SENATORS IN 6
WEST
(1) Detroit vs. (5) San Jose
Both teams are extremely talented with no glaring weaknesses. The Sharks are one of the youngest teams in the league, and extremely inexperienced on the blue line while the Red Wings are battle tested and have waited all year to make up for last seasons playoff upset.
RED WINGS IN 6
(2) Ducks vs. (3) Canucks
This should be the best series of the second round. On paper it seems as though the Ducks have the advantage with the imposing duo of Pronger and Niedermayer on the blue line. Still, I like a minor upset here as Loungo has waited a long time to get to the playoffs and I predict he steals the show.
CANUCKS IN 7
