The Flyers season is now over and there has been some time to reflect. For most of the season they seemed to lack the same "finish" that was lacking in Game 6. They had the game under control and took their foot off the gas. It was the same story many times this season. They let teams back in games that they should have won going away. I don't know if it's a couching problem and Stevens has them worrying to much about playing D or if it's that he is not getting them to keep their foot on the pedal. Either way it's something that has to be corrected for next season. Look at team like the Red Wings. They do not have more talent or better goaltending than the Flyers, but everyone does their part. They are hard on the puck no matter what the score and they keep pressing.
Now we are left wondering what the off season will bring. Will Knuble be back? Will they look to move salary to sign Jay-Bo? Would anyone be willing to take Randy Jones? Sbisa will be on the blue line full time next year. Grioux will be something special to watch. I know people have been hoping to see the Philly Frenchmen (Grioux, Gagne, and Briere) on a line, but that line is lacking a strong body in front of the net. Might not be a bad PP line. If Knuble doesn't come back perhaps Hartnell moves up.
The biggest question will be between the pipes. You have to think that at least one guy is going to be gone. I don't see a goalie out there that is an upgrade over what we have. There are a few goalies that are ahead of the pack, but none of them are available unless it's a trade. Only time will tell.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
2009 NHL Playoffs
The time has come again for the NHL Playoffs to begin. As usually all of the talking heads are making their picks so I figure I will chime in with mine.
Starting with the East:
1 BOS vs 8 MTL
Everything in this match up points to Boston to walk away with the series quickly. Boston also knows that which could provide for a slow start out of the gate. Even a slow start will not be enough for MTL to take out Boston. Thomas will out play Price. Look for Savard to have a strong series and Kovy to come out looking small.
BOS in 5
2 WAS vs 7 NYR
The Rangers can't score. It's as simple as that. Rangers have the edge in net, but it's no where near enough to overcome Alexander the 8 and Mike Green. The Caps have the scoring depth to take it to the Rangers. Lundqvist could steal a game or 2.Watch for Avery to make a fool of himself.
WAS in 6
3 NJD vs 6 CAR
Carolina has had an edge on NJ for a few years now. Eric Cole has been playing great since his return. Parise has had a great season and will have to step it up another notch for the Devils to win. If Carolina comes in and pushes the Devils off the puck and fires 35 shots a game at Brodeur they will win this series.
CAR in 7
4 Pit vs 5 PHL
It seems everyone is picking the Pens in the "Battle of the Keystone State." When you think about Crosby and Malkin this seems like the easy pick. If you take a closer look inside the number you will see that these to teams are very closely matched. If special teams win the series I give the edge to the Flyers. Richards and Carter can wear down Crosby and Malkin as long as the Flyers stay out of the box. I give Stevens a slight edge in coaching. This will be the best series of the first round in either conference.
PHL in 6
On to the West:
1 SJS vs 8ANA
The Sharks will be by far the better team in this series. Look for the Sharks D to get points on the Power Play as the Duck try to play catch up. The Duck look like they could have a problem in goal for the first time in years. They do not have goaltending to fall back on this season. Bobby Ryan will get his first taste of the NHL playoffs and may find it's much more demanding than he is ready for. The Sharks are just too strong for the Ducks.
SJS in 4
2 DET vs 7 CBJ
Osgood will either win or lose this series for the Red Wings. The Jackets have a strong young team and do have a shot at an upset here, but RJ Umberger will need to repeat last season's strong playoffs. Rick Nash will be getting his first taste of Playoff hockey. The Jackets have the edge in goaltending and both teams are very well coached. This could be the best series in the West. I have to give the over all edge to the Wing firepower up front.
DET in 7
3 VAN vs 6 STL
You can't help but be happy for the Blues (unless you're the Preds or the Wild). At the start of the season they were being pick to be in the Tavares lottery. The lost key players for long periods and were able to overcome adversity to make it into the Playoffs. The Canucks waited out Sundin and so far it does not seem worth the wait, but now it's the Playoffs and he has another level he can go to. The Nucks have the better goaltending and that's why I give them the edge.
VAN in 6
4 CHI vs 5 CGY
The Blackhawks are 4-0 against the Flames this season and Khabibulin get the edge in goal. The Hawks have more overall talent up front and Brian Cambell should be able to improve on a shaky season. Ollie Jokinen will be playing in his first playoff series and that should motive him, but the edge up front goes to the Hawks. The Flames have a stonger D corps and can grind you down over the course of a long series. The Fans in Chicago are going to be every bit as loud and insane as Calgary. Forwards + Goaltending = Hawks
CHI in 6
Starting with the East:
1 BOS vs 8 MTL
Everything in this match up points to Boston to walk away with the series quickly. Boston also knows that which could provide for a slow start out of the gate. Even a slow start will not be enough for MTL to take out Boston. Thomas will out play Price. Look for Savard to have a strong series and Kovy to come out looking small.
BOS in 5
2 WAS vs 7 NYR
The Rangers can't score. It's as simple as that. Rangers have the edge in net, but it's no where near enough to overcome Alexander the 8 and Mike Green. The Caps have the scoring depth to take it to the Rangers. Lundqvist could steal a game or 2.Watch for Avery to make a fool of himself.
WAS in 6
3 NJD vs 6 CAR
Carolina has had an edge on NJ for a few years now. Eric Cole has been playing great since his return. Parise has had a great season and will have to step it up another notch for the Devils to win. If Carolina comes in and pushes the Devils off the puck and fires 35 shots a game at Brodeur they will win this series.
CAR in 7
4 Pit vs 5 PHL
It seems everyone is picking the Pens in the "Battle of the Keystone State." When you think about Crosby and Malkin this seems like the easy pick. If you take a closer look inside the number you will see that these to teams are very closely matched. If special teams win the series I give the edge to the Flyers. Richards and Carter can wear down Crosby and Malkin as long as the Flyers stay out of the box. I give Stevens a slight edge in coaching. This will be the best series of the first round in either conference.
PHL in 6
On to the West:
1 SJS vs 8ANA
The Sharks will be by far the better team in this series. Look for the Sharks D to get points on the Power Play as the Duck try to play catch up. The Duck look like they could have a problem in goal for the first time in years. They do not have goaltending to fall back on this season. Bobby Ryan will get his first taste of the NHL playoffs and may find it's much more demanding than he is ready for. The Sharks are just too strong for the Ducks.
SJS in 4
2 DET vs 7 CBJ
Osgood will either win or lose this series for the Red Wings. The Jackets have a strong young team and do have a shot at an upset here, but RJ Umberger will need to repeat last season's strong playoffs. Rick Nash will be getting his first taste of Playoff hockey. The Jackets have the edge in goaltending and both teams are very well coached. This could be the best series in the West. I have to give the over all edge to the Wing firepower up front.
DET in 7
3 VAN vs 6 STL
You can't help but be happy for the Blues (unless you're the Preds or the Wild). At the start of the season they were being pick to be in the Tavares lottery. The lost key players for long periods and were able to overcome adversity to make it into the Playoffs. The Canucks waited out Sundin and so far it does not seem worth the wait, but now it's the Playoffs and he has another level he can go to. The Nucks have the better goaltending and that's why I give them the edge.
VAN in 6
4 CHI vs 5 CGY
The Blackhawks are 4-0 against the Flames this season and Khabibulin get the edge in goal. The Hawks have more overall talent up front and Brian Cambell should be able to improve on a shaky season. Ollie Jokinen will be playing in his first playoff series and that should motive him, but the edge up front goes to the Hawks. The Flames have a stonger D corps and can grind you down over the course of a long series. The Fans in Chicago are going to be every bit as loud and insane as Calgary. Forwards + Goaltending = Hawks
CHI in 6
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