If you’re looking for a Panthers season recap, don’t get your panties shorts in a bind. It’s comin. Be patient my friends, just like Panther management tells you.
By the way in case you missed it, the Florida Panthers have the third pick in this years draft. Ugh!
San Jose Sharks vs. Colorado Avalanche. Head to head record: Tied 2-2.
San Jose Overview: Is a first round exit in the cards for the Sharks? History says yes, but the most prolific line of the year begs to differ. Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley aim to prove otherwise and are being counted on for a long playoff run. However, fatigue potentially is going to be a factor especially with four of the top players appearing in the Olympics. Evgeny Nabokov has had a solid regular season, but was lit up like a christmas tree in Vancouver at the Olympics. Not a good sign.
Colorado overview: One of the major surprises of the season, the Avalanche have surprised almost everyone, this writer included. The right amount of youthful exuberance, a touch of veteran leadership, goaltender who got his first chance to be a number one, and a rookie coach, all meshed together better than wings and beer. Led by potential Calder Cup winner Matt Duchene, Paul Stasny, Chris Stewart and goaltender Craig Anderson, the Avs are fun, fast and hungry. Maybe they’ll be doing the biting.
Rat Trick says: Sharks in 7.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Nashville Predators. Head to head record: Hawks 4-2.
Chicago overview: A roster built for a long playoff run there’s nothing that these fans would like more than to see Lord Stanley brought home to the Windy City. A rejuvenated franchise with Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa, the Hawks are a blast to watch. Puck control offence, fast, and potent, they can score in bunches. Defensively tight enough to make up for any questions is goal, this Windy city group is on a mission. Coach Q must keep the youngsters focused. Having veteran John Madden doesn’t hurt either.
Nashville overview: Barry Trotz year after year continues to amaze. With roster changes and salary cap constraints, it just doesn’t matter. He gets buy in. No superstar, just a bunch of guys that want to win. Steve Sullivan, Patric Hornqvist leading the offence and Shea Weber and Ryan Suter leading the D, this team can lull you into playing it their way. In goal Pekka Rinne has been solid, but I don’t think that they’re enough to knock off the Hawks.
Rat Trick says: Hawks in 5.
Vancouver Canucks vs. L.A. Kings. Head to head record: Canucks 3-1.
Vancouver overview: Canada’s hope’s ride on the shoulders of Roberto Luongo and the Sedin sisters brothers. Not too sure if they are broad enough to get this team through four rounds of playoff hockey. While they have some sandpaper with Alex Burrows, the defence has been hit with injuries and they’ve had some blow ups since the Olympic break. Luongo’s ability to win it all has been questionned in the past. While he did guide Team Canada to Olympic gold, he doesn’t have a defence in front of him that’s even close to the one he had in the gold medal game.
L.A. overview: Another young and exciting team to come out of the West, L.A. has some players that may surprise. it will be nice for everyone to see Drew Doughty, Anze Kopitar and Jonathan Quick in goal. This team might have too much youth though to overcome the pressure of the playoffs. But if they can find a way to get under Luongo’s girdle skin, anything is possible.
Rat Trick says: Vancouver in 7. Although, it wouldn’t surprise me for L.A. to win in 7 either.
Phoenix Coyotes vs. Detroit Red Wings. Head to head record: Tied 2-2.
Phoenix overview: Cindarella gets a chance at the big dance. The biggest surprise of the NHL season has the Coyotes in some unfamiliar territory. Not being to the playoffs since 2002, Phoenix and head coach Dave Tippett are looking for a major upset. Not to be taken lightly Phoenix gets balanced scoring , and Lee Stempniak has been on fire since his arrival here. Shane Doan Mr. Coyote is the teams leader and Ed Jovanovski leads a defence of unknowns. The real secret weapon though is goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov. 42 wins in the regular season!
Detroit overview: As they are called in Chicago, Scum, are the team people love to hate. Well coached, well respected (except in chi town) and always knocking at the door, the Wings are led by Pavel Datysuk and Henrik Zetterberg on offence. Niklas Lidstrom is the defensive leader and Brian Rafalski ain’t too shabby neither. If there’s something to question it’s in goal. Jimmy Howard who finally got his chance has never played a playoff game in his life at the NHL level. Will it matter?
Rat Trick says: Scum in 6.
Thanks for reading.
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Cheers