Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 07:07 PM.
(1)
San Jose Sharks - (49 - 27 - 6 -- 104)(8)
Calgary Flames - (37 - 33 - 12 -- 86)What you Need to Know
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(NHL RANK)Goals For Per Game - 3.00 (#5)
Goals Against Per Game - 2.49 (#2)
Power Play % - 18.5% (#14)
Penalty Killing % - 86.7% (#2)
Home Record - (26 - 11 - 4)
Road Record - (23 - 16 - 2)
Leading Scorer - Ryan Clowe (31 goals / 49 assists - 80 pts)
Who's in Net? - Antii Niemi (36 wins / Save % .924 / GAA - 2.16)
(NHL RANK)Goals For Per Game - 2.71 (#18)
Goals Against Per Game - 2.70 (#14)
Power Play % - 16.9% (#20)
Penalty Killing % - 84.3% (#6)
Home Record - (20 - 17 - 4)
Road Record - (17 - 16 - 8)
Leading Scorer - Matt Stajan (19 goals / 41 assists - 60 pts)
Who's in Net? - Leland Irving (29 wins / Save % .913 / GAA - 2.53)
Analysis and Prediction
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If there is a better case against the three point game I would like to see one. The Flames managed to get to OT and lose 12 different times this year, because of this they get into the playoffs. I don't see how the Flames can beat the Sharks. The Flames have trouble scoring goals (see Stajan as the leading scorer), and the Sharks excel at keeping the puck out of their net. A possible sign that the Sharks are not only going to win this series, but have a shot to finally break the stretch of great regular seasons followed by Stanley Cup-less exits, is the scoring depth. Clowe leads the team in points with 80, which is odd for the Sharks, it's usually someone else, and it's usually higher. But, this might mean that they are deeper, and thus, a more dangerous team, ready to take home the cup.
Prediction - Sharks in 5
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 06:36 PM.
(4)
Washington Capitals - (49 - 27 - 6 -- 104)(5)
Buffalo Sabres - (46 - 29 - 7 -- 99)What you Need to Know
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(NHL RANK)Goals For Per Game - 3.20 (#3)
Goals Against Per Game - 2.73 (#15)
Power Play % - 19.2% (#11)
Penalty Killing % - 81.0% (#20)
Home Record - (27 - 13 - 1)
Road Record - (22 - 14 - 5)
Leading Scorer - Alex Ovechkin (53 goals / 55 assists - 108 pts)
Who's in Net? - Michael Neuvirth (34 wins / Save % .913 / GAA - 2.49)
(NHL RANK)Goals For Per Game - 2.84 (#10)
Goals Against Per Game - 2.48 (#4)
Power Play % - 17.3% (#18)
Penalty Killing % - 81.1% (#17)
Home Record - (25 - 13 - 3)
Road Record - (21 - 16 - 4)
Leading Scorer - Thomas Vanek (31 goals / 54 assists - 85 pts)
Who's in Net? - Ryan Miller (41 wins / Save % .927 / GAA - 2.19)
Analysis and Prediction
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Four - Five match ups are usually pretty tight, but this one could be special because of how different these teams win. The Capitals try and are usually successful in outscoring teams, without regard for defense. The Sabres win by not allowing their opponents to score, somethings gotta give. Usually in the playoffs, goaltending and defense is what wins, and I don't think it's any different here. The Sabres hold the edge defensively and in the net, and because of that I think they take the series. By no means will this be a walk in the park, as the Sabres will be tasked with stopping Ovechkin and Backstrom who both put up 100 points this year. The Sabres are also no slouch when it comes to offense, as they boast a deep scoring lineup, rather than having the high popping numbers, should be a great series.
Prediction - Sabres in 6
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 06:10 PM.
(3)
Toronto Maple Leafs - (47 - 28 - 7 -- 101)(6)
New York Rangers - (44 - 27 - 11 -- 99)What you Need to Know
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(NHL RANK)Goals For Per Game - 2.73 (#15)
Goals Against Per Game - 2.43 (#3)
Power Play % - 18.1% (#16)
Penalty Killing % - 83.2% (#9)
Home Record - (31 - 10 - 0)
Road Record - (16 - 18 - 7)
Leading Scorer - Nazem Kadri (29 goals / 49 assists - 78 pts)
Who's in Net? - James Reimer (40 wins / Save % .931 / GAA - 2.02)
(NHL RANK)Goals For Per Game - 2.74 (#14)
Goals Against Per Game - 2.52 (#5)
Power Play % - 19.9% (#8)
Penalty Killing % - 82.5% (#11)
Home Record - (23 - 11 - 7)
Road Record - (21 - 16 - 4)
Leading Scorer - Marion Gaborik (37 goals / 44 assists - 81 pts)
Who's in Net? - Henrik Lundqvist (35 wins / Save % .929 / GAA - 2.10)
Analysis and Prediction
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Clash of the titans here, well, at least goalie titans. This is one impressive goaltender match up and I think that's what it will all come down to. Reimer is relatively inexperienced when it comes to the playoffs, while Lundqvist has plenty of experience. The other thing to look at here is how good each team is at home, and how bad the Leafs are on the road. It's hard to get into the playoffs winning only 16 of the 41 road games on the season but that's exactly what the Leafs did. Winning the division was huge for the Leafs because I think home ice is what decides this one, with the home team winning each game. Unless Reimer is assaulted by Dynasty or Bthomp after a game 4 loss in New York to even the series at two.
Prediction - Maple Leafs in 7
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 05:54 PM.
(2)
Pittsburgh Penguins - (49 - 25 - 8 -- 106)(7)
New York Islanders - (44 - 28 - 10 -- 98)What you Need to Know
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(NHL RANK)Goals For Per Game - 3.30 (#1)
Goals Against Per Game - 2.65 (#12)
Power Play % - 22.6% (#2)
Penalty Killing % - 81.6% (#15)
Home Record - (27 - 12 - 2)
Road Record - (22 - 13 - 6)
Leading Scorer - Sidney Crosby (57 goals / 54 assists - 111 pts)
Who's in Net? - Marc-Andre Fleury (43 wins / Save % .919 / GAA - 2.34)
(NHL RANK)Goals For Per Game - 2.72 (#17)
Goals Against Per Game - 2.62 (#11)
Power Play % - 18.9% (#13)
Penalty Killing % - 80.5% (#22)
Home Record - (23 - 13 - 5)
Road Record - (21 - 15 - 5)
Leading Scorer - John Tavares (31 goals / 55 assists - 86 pts)
Who's in Net? - Rick DiPietro (36 wins / Save % .919 / GAA - 2.42)
Analysis and Prediction
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I don't see anyway that the Islanders can beat the Pens. Usually I give some chance to each team entering the playoffs, because after all, anything can happen. I just don't see how the Isles can keep up with the scoring of the Pens, or stop the Pens from scoring consistently enough to win the series. Not to mention their fate lies in the hands (or whatever is next to get hurt) of Rick DiPietro. The Isles strength is their defense, but the Pens defense on the surface looks just as good. As a result, I see no way the Pens don't get into the next round.
Prediction - Penguins in 5
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 01:17 PM.
(1)
Carolina Hurricanes - (53 - 25 - 4 -- 110)(8)
Florida Panthers - (45 - 32 - 5 -- 95)What you Need to Know
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(NHL RANK)Goals For Per Game - 2.88 (#8)
Goals Against Per Game - 2.02 (#1)
Power Play % - 21.1% (#7)
Penalty Killing % - 88.4% (#1)
Home Record - (28 - 11 - 2)
Road Record - (25 - 14 - 2)
Leading Scorer - Eric Staal (36 goals / 69 assists - 105 pts)
Who's in Net? - Cam Ward (42 wins / Save % .943 / GAA - 1.78)
(NHL RANK)Goals For Per Game - 3.09 (#4)
Goals Against Per Game - 3.07 (#24)
Power Play % - 23.8% (#1)
Penalty Killing % - 77.1% (#29)
Home Record - (26 - 14 - 1)
Road Record - (19 - 18 - 4)
Leading Scorer - Dave Bolland (20 goals / 56 assists - 76 pts)
Who's in Net? - Jakob Markstrom (35 wins / Save % .907 / GAA - 2.65)
Analysis and Prediction
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The key to success is simple for Florida, executing it may be a little more difficult. Cam Ward is unbeatable this year, he enters the playoffs with ridiculous numbers, and as the Hawks saw last year he is a guy that can carry a team to the cup. The Panthers do have their share of firepower in the lineup. If the Panthers somehow find a way to beat Ward consistently, they have a chance, but they also have to worry about stopping the dynamic duo of Staal and Skinner. Staal leads the team in points, but Skinner potted 50 goals this year, and is as dangerous as they come, it's a tall task for Markstrom, he may be a year or two away from being able to handle this one.
Prediction - Hurricanes in 5
Friday, December 30, 2011
A typical strong area for the Hawks let them down early in the second. The Sharks headed to the power play early in the second and Joe Thornton cashed in on goal mouth scramble to make it 2-0 Sharks. Definitely an uphill battle given the circumstances but the Hawks didn't back down, and stuck with their game. With over 30 minutes left in the tilt there is no reason to start taking chances. The Hawks continued with the dogged cycle, and the Sharks started to wear down. After the initial push by the Sharks in the period because of the power play the Hawks controlled the play. With about 4 minutes left Claude Giroux recovered his own rebound and fed Nino in the slot who pumped it into essentially an empty net to cut the deficit to one. Crawford had to answer with some big saves in the waning minutes of the period, we are headed to the 3rd, 2-1 Sharks..
The first seven minutes of the third period have belonged to the Hawks, they have a purpose in this period. So far shots are 7-0 Hawks in the period, but Karlsson has been huge so far stopping a few point blank chances. The Hawks continued to push, not given the Sharks any ice, but again Karlsson was too much. In typical Crawford fashion (in losses) this year, he gave up a bad rebound right to Havlat's stick and he made it 3-1. Hawks are out shooting the Sharks 10-4 in the period but now the deficit is 2 with 8 minutes left. The Sharks once again were handed a power play, and once again everyone does their job except Crawford, he made one tough stop, but the rebounds continue to be an issue and Clowe found another one right on his stick and he made it 4-1 Sharks. A few shots later and it's 6-1 Sharks, terrible effort from Crawford tonight, Niemi will be starting in Vancouver. Coming into the game the Hawks had the 3rd best PK in the league and the Sharks were 21st on the PP, and the Sharks were 3 for 3, that can't happen.
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Highlights (Highlights if you can call them that)
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Team is really playing well, really like the way the YOUNG defense is playing right now, and I went into the season relying on the young guys to create depth scoring, and so far so good, I like what I see.
Canes showing no ill effects from losing to the Hawks in the finals last year. The Isles continue to surprise thru the first two months of the season.
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Highlights
AcquireD - Jack Johnson (28 years old, 3 years left @ $4,700,000) (88 overall)
D - Keith Aulie (26 years old, 2 years left @ $1,940,000) (84 overall)
AcquireD - John Carlson (25 years old, 4 years left @ $4,570,000) (89 overall)
2016 - 4th Round Draft Pick
Bowman - Jack Johnson and Keith Aulie did exactly what we wanted them to do when we brought them in, help us win a cup. But, we saw an opportunity here to get younger, free up some more cap space, and acquire a top pairing D man that I think will still get better (B-,C,B-). Aulie is a good defenseman, but I think he has reached his ceiling, and he doesn't really fit the style we play, which is more up tempo. We also have a surplus of D men that are ready to step in now, or in a year, so that opens the door for them...
First up....
Chicago Blackhawks recall - D- Stephen Spang from Rockford
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
I have a feeling I'm going to regret posting this because of the collective Reimer freak out that is about to occur
. Hawks/Hogs stats tomorrow!Tazer19
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