BUFFALO - NEW YORK RANGERS
Matches will be held on April 25, 27, 29, 1 and (if necessary) on May 4, 6, 8.
Goalkeepers
Swedish Rangers gatekeeper Henrik Lundqvist missed six goals in four games of the first round against Atlanta. The indicator, on the one hand, is outstanding. On the other hand, we need a discount on the fact that each match was held under the sign of the impressive superiority of New Yorkers. Buffalo goalkeeper Ryan Miller is a little older, behind his "all-star" past, a wealth of experience in international games as part of the US team. When the teammates sailed at the end of the last meeting with the Islanders, the goalkeeper saved them in a virtually hopeless situation.
Defense
The defensive orders of the opponents do not have the cornerstones of the caliber of Lidstrom or Chris Pronger. That's why the playing time here is divided approximately equally, and it’s very difficult to select some bricks in not the most monolithic walls. Impartial statistics point to Ludman at Buffalo (an average of 22 minutes 13 seconds per evening) and Roshival at Rangers (24.25), but the modesty of tsifiri does not give a reason to distinguish them from the general series. Both “blades” and “rangers” use aggressive forekking, trying to turn the slightest alien blunder into a deadly counterattack. The New Yorkers were pleasantly surprised by a well-functioning defense, like a Swiss watch, in the battle with the Atlanta. And in the championship less than them in the East missed only “New Jersey”.
Attack
Both teams attack on a wide front and have a rich selection of highly qualified attackers. In the first round, 14 Rangers and as many as 16 Buffalo bayonets scored on the goal + pass system. Blades are used to bet on speed. New Yorkers rely more on the experience and individual craftsmanship of stars such as Jagr, Shenahan, Nyulander. And at the same time - on the physical strength and criminal intransigence of Aivry, Hallweg and Orr. There is no doubt: in the event of a series unsuccessful for the Rangers, Tom Renny's wards will uncover their fists and try to tame the presumptuous holder of the Presidential Cup with their help. Another thing is that the most successful Buffalo championship team has too many trump cards in their hands. Seven players of the club conquered the mark of 20 abandoned goals during the regular championship. Four - Breer, Drury, Pominville and Vanek - took the barrier 30 goals. It is impossible to shut up such a fountain tightly.
Unequal play
In the series with Atlanta, the Rangers remained in the minority 17 times and conceded only one goal. So far this is the best indicator of reliability in the playoffs.
The forecast "Sport today" is 4-2.
NEW JERSEY - OTTAWA
Matches will be held on April 26, 28, 30, 2 and (if necessary) on May 5, 7, 9.
Goalkeepers
In four games in the series with Tampa, the New Jersey goalkeeper Broder played the fool. Yawned bounces, made a mistake in choosing a position, and even managed to skip from a zero angle. Well, geniuses are peculiar to eccentricities. Three victories in a row rehabilitated the NHL record holder for the number of victories in the championship. At the Ottawa, the dark-skinned Emery rescued in those rare moments when inexperienced penguins pinched the "senators" in their zone. One should not expect massive shelling from defense-oriented “devils” either.
Defense
In the series with Pittsburgh, the first pair of Ottawa defenders Volchenkov - Phillips deftly defused Crosby's multi-shot gun. Much, if not all, also depends on the success of the new mission. Goal number one is the “senators” strike unit made up of Gomez, Eliash and Jonta. Knitting on the hands and feet of three is much more difficult than knitting one. Especially if each of the guardians can both bring shells and independently bombard the gate. For the Ottawa snipers, Heatley and Special will be watched by the experienced Lakovich and Matvichak. In the battle with the Tampa, sedentary veterans neutralized Lecavalier from Saint-Louis, and it cannot be said that they coped brilliantly with the task.
Attack
More often than not, the Ottawa in the past championship, the red light outside the gates of someone lit only Buffalo. In the first round, Canadians walked along the frail fortifications of Pittsburgh in a multi-ton skating rink. Supporting actors made a significant contribution to the common cause: Neil, Kelly, Vermette, Comrie. What are the feats ahead of New Jersey? Having heard such a question a couple of weeks ago, you could shrug your shoulders in bewilderment. According to the results of the “regular season”, less deeply sunken Philadelphians in the Eastern Conference scored less of the Isrutherford. However, relegation games transformed New Jersey. Gomez with nine points leads the goblet scorer race. Paris shares sniper laurels with Lecavalier. Eliash, Jonta, Langenbrunner and Madden are also not averse to say the final word.
Unequal play
7 of the 19 goals of the first round, “New Jersey” held in the majority. “Ottawa”, which at this stage spent less on the game, scored six goals, attacking with number and skill.
Forecast "Sport today" - 3-4.
DETROIT - SAN JOSE
Matches will be held on April 26, 28, 30, 2 and (if necessary) on May 5, 7, 9.
Goalkeepers
Hasek against Nabokov. Hurry up to see! Hasek on the top ten is no longer the gutta-percha Dominator that pulled everything in a row, tumbling in a frame, like a squirrel in a wheel. It is reliable, no doubt, but who tested it in a real combat situation? The ratio of shots in the series with Calgary (255: 129 in favor of the “red wings”!) Does not allow us to judge the true possibilities of the Czech. Too freely he felt at the last frontier. "San Jose" can count on two equal-sized guards at once - Nabokov and Toscalu.
Defense
While Detroit has Lidström, the grand master of ice rinks (“+40” in the utility graph for the last championship), the unyielding 44-year-old elder Chelios, and yet another nominee for Norris Trophy Schneider, nothing is impossible for him. Compared with the team a year ago, the “red wings” added aggressiveness, increased muscle mass and actually pushed overboard the Calgary. San Jose is also used to acting from a position of strength. After moving from Montreal, Rivet strengthened the back line, which included the rapidly progressing newcomers Vlasic and Karl. A veteran spends an average of more than 26 and a half minutes per night and scored 5 (2 + 3) points in a series with Nashville.
Attack
San Jose head coach Ron Wilson expertly shuffles the deck. The previously unbreakable Thornton-Chichu ligament collapses and is re-created nightly. Captain Marlowe drifts in three links, adding more and more partners assists appetite and energy in the legs do not know tired. All "sharks" are quick and aimed at other people's gates. Their sweeping multi-paths can be transferred directly from the site to the game's textbooks. The web weaving in the Detroit attack is just as adept. The playmaker Datsyuk interrupted the cup “drought”. Once again in the ranks of the cunning Setterberg. Spends a lot on the ice and tirelessly pushes opponents on the way to the gates of Bertuzzi. And there, in front of the enemy’s “frame” itself, Holmström habitually barrages. And this is just the backbone, the foundation on which the breathtaking high-rise building is based. The departed Shenahan and Aizerman in the City of Motors are no longer remembered.
Unequal play
Among the teams that continue to fight for the Stanley Cup, Detroit has the worst percentage of reliability in the minority - 82.4. According to the implementation of the majority, Michigan is only sixth - 13.2 percent, but the Californian figure is even more modest - 6.7.
Forecast "Sport today" - 3-4.
ANAHEIM - VANCOUVER
Matches will be held on April 25, 27, 29, 1 and (if necessary) on May 3, 6, 8.
Goalkeepers
In a seven-game series with Dallas, the Canucks goalkeeper Luongo was recognized as the first star three times. His lightning-fast reaction and ability to correctly position himself in the “frame” are important reasons for the success of Vancouver. In the theater of one actor there is no place for extras. Try to remember the name of the second goalkeeper of the Canadian club ... No wonder: Saburin did not spend a second in the current playoffs and played only eight hours in the championship. Zhiger and Bryzgalov from Anaheim shared their playing time in the regular championship and continue to help each other now.
Defense
At one time, the “ducks” did not stand up to the price in order to have the most enviable pair of defenders in the league in the collection. Now Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermeier drag them to the Stanley Cup. The Anaheim Western Conference is the number one favorite, and the Double Tower is the main attraction. In her shadow, the hard worker Bosman somehow gets lost. But he is also a figure worth attention. In the third match of the series with Minnesota, the guy's jaw was broken, but even with the plate mounted he spent 28 minutes 32 seconds in the fifth match.
Attack
Paradoxically, Vancouver managed to break through to the conference semifinals without scoring a goal in three of seven meetings with Dallas. None of the Canadian club players scored more than two goals. Walking with such baggage to a “showdown” with Anaheim is like going out with a bare hand to a family of hungry bears. Five Dax strikers scored more than 25 goals in the championship. The second youth Selanne is experiencing, two goals not reaching fifty. Young Penner, Getzlaf and Perry reach for the Finn. McDonald scored 163 points in the last two seasons! Who will block oxygen with a healthy armada? The fledgling second-year Bieks or the failed participant in the Match of All Stars Fitzpatrick?
Unequal play
Vancouver is catastrophically helpless in the numerical advantage: 3 abandoned goals in 38 situations of the majority or 7.9 percent. Before the seventh match of the series with Dallas, it was even worse - 3.6 percent. For comparison, Anaheim - 26.3 percent - the best indicator in the playoffs.
The forecast "Sport today" is 4-1.
Vladimir BYCHEK