#1 Seed VS. #8 Seed
Analysis: This series opens up in San Jose Wednesday night and features the Western Conference’s top team Sharks against the Avalanche from Colorado. Picked to be a bottom feeder at the beginning of the year the Avalanche has been one of the league’s biggest surprises this season. Much of this has been due to the stellar play of goalie Craig Anderson. Against an offence like the Sharks the playoff hopes of the Avalanche rest squarely on Anderson’s shoulders. The Sharks have been known for playoff struggles but I anticipate this year being different, watch for Thornton, Marleau, and Heatley to produce and lead the team to a first round series win. Watch for Avalanche star Paul Stastny and rookie sensation Matt Duchene to have decent playoffs. Keep an eye on gritty forward Chris Stewart, who has surprised this season by leading the team in goals. Watch for a first round scrap against Sharks forward Ryan Clowe to be a beauty. On defence the Sharks are led by Dan Boyle and veteran Rob Blake who even at 40 seems to get the job done. The Avalanche defence is led by Captain Adam Foote and a bunch of young power play specialists like John-Michael Liles and Kyle Quincey who lead the man advantage situations. In the Sharks net is Evgeni Nabokov, who is hoping to bounce back after a disappointing Olympic Experience. I think he will play better than Anderson and that will be the difference.
Prediction: The Avalanche’s magical season comes to a quick end, look for bigger and better things next season. Watch for San Jose to dominate most of the games. SAN JOSE IN 5
Key Players: Sharks: Thornton, Marleau, Heatley, Boyle, Blake, and Nabokov. Avalanche: Anderson, Stastny, Duchene, Foote, Stewart.
4 comments:
You're absolutely right, the Avalanche has been a team of surprises this year. A bold move hiring rookie head coach Joe Sacco, who is one of the front runners for coach of the year, has seemed to figure out what the Maple Leaf's are still struggling to understand. It's no secret the NHL has changed into a much quicker and more youthful game. The key to success has been the amount of young players contributing to this club. Forwards such as Matt Duchene, who leads NHL rookies in scoring, Chris Stewart, who is the Avs leading goal scorer and 2nd in NHL sophomore scoring following Steve Stamkos who is playing sensational, are paving the way for young players to succeed. Players such as Brandon Yip, Ryan O'Reilly, and David Jones have all taken this energy and used it to better their game and contribute. Veterans such as Adam Foote and Darcy Tucker who are taking in these young players in and guiding them in the right direction helps to turn this team into a family. Also the team was given a little spark as they dealt Wojtek Wolski for Peter Mueller,and Kevin Porter at the deadline. This team of youngsters has gelled as a club and offensive production will carry on throughout the playoffs. Based on the fact that Craig Anderson has never played a full season in the NHL the defensive aspect and goaltending is their "Achilles' Heel."
However, I think that the fire still burns brightly for the Colorado Avalanche and that they still have many surprises left up their sleeves for hockey fans.
My Prediction: AVALANCHE IN 6
Stewie getting the game winning goal in San Jose UNREAL!!! Feel it NASTY.
Series is early boys, dont get your knickers in a knot just yet.
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