Post by Buffalo Sabres on Mar 19, 2008 0:42:50 GMT -5
Preview
We have here the Pacific Division champs in Dallas vs. division oppenent Los Angeles Kings. The Kings managed to solidify thier playoff spot this season which is a great improvement over the previous year. Dallas should be happy with another great season which saw them battle for first in the west all season long jsut falling short, but clearly showing themselves as a western conference favourite.
Goaltending
Marty Turco is a workhorse for Dallas playing 78 games and managing a record of 44-26-6 with 2.76 GAA, 3 shutouts but a save percentage at .898. Is Turco worn out heading in to playoff hockey, this is possible, but yet to be determined. His counter parts in LA is Tim Thomas who is 66 games went 32-20-6 but his 3.16 GAA is less than stellar. He also had 3 shutouts and a .892 save percentage. Thomas is left hung to dry on many occasions with the run and gun hockey played by LA. If injuries were to take their toll I would feel better with Hedberg on LA than Markkanen in Dallas.
Forwards
Dallas offers a large group of superstars but none have been bigger this year for Dallas than Selanne and Hedjuk both among the top 30 scorers in the league this season. Add in Morrow, Modano, and Arnott and you have two lines that can bury you with offence. Lehtinen, Barnes and Zubrus offer not only leadership but also a VERY effective shutdown line. Los Angeles will rely on their one two punch down the middle of Nylander and Koivu, who was added late in the season and will be counted on heavily. Cheechoo and Huselius will be counted on to put in most of the goals up front but will have some support from Satan and Blake among others. Huselius was very hot down the stretch playing with Sturm and Nylander so we will watch for that combination to continue.
Defense
Aside from Gonchar, LA has only a collection of defensive style defenseman. While these veterans know how to play playoff hockey and are fairly reliable they take an amazing number of undisciplined penalties. Dallas's Zubov and Boucher offer a nice mix of both offence and defence and get the job done.
Injuries
Dallas - Patrice Brisebois sidelined 2-4 months (Injured)
Stephane Robidas sidelined day-to-day (Injured)
Los Angeles - Andy Sutton sidelined day-to-day (Injured)
The keys to victory!
Dallas is a team that gladly will go run and gun hockey with Los Angeles but while both teams play high octane hockey with lots of goals and scoring chances, there is a big different is in goal where Los Angeles leaves to much on their goalie and allow too many goals. Add to that both teams are top 5 in the league on the powerplay however Dallas's 2nd ranked defence should keep LA off the board a little more than LA's 3rd worst PK unit can hold Dallas and the series is decided.
PREDICTION:DALLAS in 5 games.
We have here the Pacific Division champs in Dallas vs. division oppenent Los Angeles Kings. The Kings managed to solidify thier playoff spot this season which is a great improvement over the previous year. Dallas should be happy with another great season which saw them battle for first in the west all season long jsut falling short, but clearly showing themselves as a western conference favourite.
Goaltending
Marty Turco is a workhorse for Dallas playing 78 games and managing a record of 44-26-6 with 2.76 GAA, 3 shutouts but a save percentage at .898. Is Turco worn out heading in to playoff hockey, this is possible, but yet to be determined. His counter parts in LA is Tim Thomas who is 66 games went 32-20-6 but his 3.16 GAA is less than stellar. He also had 3 shutouts and a .892 save percentage. Thomas is left hung to dry on many occasions with the run and gun hockey played by LA. If injuries were to take their toll I would feel better with Hedberg on LA than Markkanen in Dallas.
Forwards
Dallas offers a large group of superstars but none have been bigger this year for Dallas than Selanne and Hedjuk both among the top 30 scorers in the league this season. Add in Morrow, Modano, and Arnott and you have two lines that can bury you with offence. Lehtinen, Barnes and Zubrus offer not only leadership but also a VERY effective shutdown line. Los Angeles will rely on their one two punch down the middle of Nylander and Koivu, who was added late in the season and will be counted on heavily. Cheechoo and Huselius will be counted on to put in most of the goals up front but will have some support from Satan and Blake among others. Huselius was very hot down the stretch playing with Sturm and Nylander so we will watch for that combination to continue.
Defense
Aside from Gonchar, LA has only a collection of defensive style defenseman. While these veterans know how to play playoff hockey and are fairly reliable they take an amazing number of undisciplined penalties. Dallas's Zubov and Boucher offer a nice mix of both offence and defence and get the job done.
Injuries
Dallas - Patrice Brisebois sidelined 2-4 months (Injured)
Stephane Robidas sidelined day-to-day (Injured)
Los Angeles - Andy Sutton sidelined day-to-day (Injured)
The keys to victory!
Dallas is a team that gladly will go run and gun hockey with Los Angeles but while both teams play high octane hockey with lots of goals and scoring chances, there is a big different is in goal where Los Angeles leaves to much on their goalie and allow too many goals. Add to that both teams are top 5 in the league on the powerplay however Dallas's 2nd ranked defence should keep LA off the board a little more than LA's 3rd worst PK unit can hold Dallas and the series is decided.
PREDICTION:DALLAS in 5 games.
