Post by Buffalo Sabres on Apr 3, 2008 11:41:26 GMT -5
How they got there
Dallas took on the Kings in a first round series that didn't quite offer the run and gun style as expected, but got done in 6 games.
Nashville won a hard fought battle against a very potent Flames lineup where injuries were a factor at times but they manage to come in against Dallas at high momentum, however tired, but healthy.
Match-up Theme Song
"Get it Together" by Seal
Goalies
The Stars have Marty Turco as their guy. Jussi Markkanen can play spot backup but I wouldn't want to have to be starting him. That said Turco will have to put up better numbers than he did in the first round with a 2.78GAA and a .907 save % and was pulled once during the previous series.
Kiprusoff is the man in Nashville however he also must get it together after posting up a very ugly 3.64GAA and .891 save % against a high flying Calgary team in the first round. It wasn't pretty but he managed to get it done in game 7 when all was on the line stopping 32 of 33 shots in the 2-1 win. Mason is waiting in the wings and was used heavily in the first series after the coach was found pulling Kipper in three games.
Edge: Even, if Dallas goes back to their run and gun then the trend may continue for Kipper.
Defense
Dallas's defence took a beating in the first series and come in a little beat up however their top two guys in Zubov and Boucher are healthy and will be counted on for the majority of minutes. The remainder of the defence isn't spectacular and will have to stop taking so many penalties and play with discipline.
Nashville's defence has two main offensive threats in Timmonen and the young and growing Bouwmeester. Foote and Witt will probably play with each offensice guy allowing each to take chances as the vets can be counted on to cover the back end and offer a ton of playoff experience. Again discipline will be key as they are a rough defence that plays on the edge but will give up PP opportunities.
Edge: Nashville comes in with a healthier and more balanced defense.
Forwards
The Stars have built a very balanced forward corp with two top lines offering great offence and the 3rd and 4th line are among the best in the league as shut down lines. Modano, Zubrus and Hedjuk had great first rounds and the likes of Arnott, Selanne and Morrow can get it going as well. Lehtinen is still one of the best two way forwards in the game.
Nashville has a similarly built lineup but offer a bit more youth in their 4th line to try and add a punch to the game. Veteran scoring comes from Jokinen, Kariya, Walker, and has young scoring threats in Legwand, Penner and Radulov. The offence can compete with the best of them but the younger guys need to be stronger in their own zone. They have the skill to be defensive as well, but lacked that in the first round.
Edge: Dallas
Injuries
Dallas - Patrice Brisebois sidelined day-to-day (Injured)
Nashville - No injuries to report
Key Match-up
Dallas needs to find their game and get back to opening up their offence. That is what made them a number two seed during the regular season but that didn't show up in the first round series against an LA team that isn't exactly a defensive squad. Dallas was a team that took very few shots in the first round and if that improves than they are tough to beat.
Nashville took a LOT of penalties in the first round battle with Calgary, but should be happy that they took out a very potent offence, playing both styles of play in the first round. They scored a lot of goals, but allowed a lot. They found their defensive game in game 7 which is what was their bread and butter during the regular season.
Prediction
This series could be filled with PP and injuries if both teams continue like they did in the first round. I expect both goalies to improve their numbers in this series and get back to their styles of play. These teams match up very well, but I feel the Preds can play both styles of games more effectively than the Stars.
Predators in 6
Dallas took on the Kings in a first round series that didn't quite offer the run and gun style as expected, but got done in 6 games.
Nashville won a hard fought battle against a very potent Flames lineup where injuries were a factor at times but they manage to come in against Dallas at high momentum, however tired, but healthy.
Match-up Theme Song
"Get it Together" by Seal
Goalies
The Stars have Marty Turco as their guy. Jussi Markkanen can play spot backup but I wouldn't want to have to be starting him. That said Turco will have to put up better numbers than he did in the first round with a 2.78GAA and a .907 save % and was pulled once during the previous series.
Kiprusoff is the man in Nashville however he also must get it together after posting up a very ugly 3.64GAA and .891 save % against a high flying Calgary team in the first round. It wasn't pretty but he managed to get it done in game 7 when all was on the line stopping 32 of 33 shots in the 2-1 win. Mason is waiting in the wings and was used heavily in the first series after the coach was found pulling Kipper in three games.
Edge: Even, if Dallas goes back to their run and gun then the trend may continue for Kipper.
Defense
Dallas's defence took a beating in the first series and come in a little beat up however their top two guys in Zubov and Boucher are healthy and will be counted on for the majority of minutes. The remainder of the defence isn't spectacular and will have to stop taking so many penalties and play with discipline.
Nashville's defence has two main offensive threats in Timmonen and the young and growing Bouwmeester. Foote and Witt will probably play with each offensice guy allowing each to take chances as the vets can be counted on to cover the back end and offer a ton of playoff experience. Again discipline will be key as they are a rough defence that plays on the edge but will give up PP opportunities.
Edge: Nashville comes in with a healthier and more balanced defense.
Forwards
The Stars have built a very balanced forward corp with two top lines offering great offence and the 3rd and 4th line are among the best in the league as shut down lines. Modano, Zubrus and Hedjuk had great first rounds and the likes of Arnott, Selanne and Morrow can get it going as well. Lehtinen is still one of the best two way forwards in the game.
Nashville has a similarly built lineup but offer a bit more youth in their 4th line to try and add a punch to the game. Veteran scoring comes from Jokinen, Kariya, Walker, and has young scoring threats in Legwand, Penner and Radulov. The offence can compete with the best of them but the younger guys need to be stronger in their own zone. They have the skill to be defensive as well, but lacked that in the first round.
Edge: Dallas
Injuries
Dallas - Patrice Brisebois sidelined day-to-day (Injured)
Nashville - No injuries to report
Key Match-up
Dallas needs to find their game and get back to opening up their offence. That is what made them a number two seed during the regular season but that didn't show up in the first round series against an LA team that isn't exactly a defensive squad. Dallas was a team that took very few shots in the first round and if that improves than they are tough to beat.
Nashville took a LOT of penalties in the first round battle with Calgary, but should be happy that they took out a very potent offence, playing both styles of play in the first round. They scored a lot of goals, but allowed a lot. They found their defensive game in game 7 which is what was their bread and butter during the regular season.
Prediction
This series could be filled with PP and injuries if both teams continue like they did in the first round. I expect both goalies to improve their numbers in this series and get back to their styles of play. These teams match up very well, but I feel the Preds can play both styles of games more effectively than the Stars.
Predators in 6
