2017 iNHL Playoff, Round 2 Preview: Pt 1, Western Conference
May 27, 2016 16:06:49 GMT -5
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Post by bjernagris (PHI) on May 27, 2016 16:06:49 GMT -5
St. Louis Blues – Nashville Predators
The Preview
Both these teams impressed in the first round, dismissing the Avalanche and the Wild respective in five games. The more impressive performance must be that of Nashville’s, who won several close games against the underrated Minnesota team despite having their top center Mike Fischer sidelined with injury. Fischer is now back and Head Coach Laviolette has the pleasant dilemma of fitting him onto a red hot lineup. Nashville has reinforced their D with Andrei Markov and, like the Blues, rely a lot on their first line. St. Louis faced problems in capitalizing on a big advantage in play against the Avs, winning three of their four by one goal. Blues need to get their secondary scoring going better if they are to repeat last season’s success. Sergei Bobrovsky also need to step up his game from the first round, especially with Pekka Rinne in the Nashville net playing incredibly lately. Regular season matchups ended 2-2 in which the losing team scored a total of only 1 goal, so we expect a low-scoring series.
The Storyline
In a tight series like this, teams will be looking to keep mistakes to a minimum. Who will make the mistake that sends the other team to the Conference Final?
The Key Player, Blues
Michael Del Zotto – he had a great series against the Avs netting 5 assists while acting as a reliable relief behind the Blues’ top D pairing Shattenkirk/Pietrangelo
The Key Player, Predators
Pekka Rinne – he was stellar in the first round against the Wild, and the veteran goaltender is looking to prove that he can carry his team even further
The Prediction
Blues in seven
San Jose Sharks – Calgary Flames
The Preview
OK, OK, we admit we gravely underestimated the Sharks in our first round prediction. The way San Jose dismissed the Blackhawks was nothing short of impressive, particularly considering the team’s top defenseman and arguably most important player, Brent Burns, was sidelined. They took advantage of Chicago’s inclination to take penalties and proved that the best defense is indeed a good offense. The formidable offensive skill covers for their average D-line, which will be truly tested against a more deadly Calgary O-line. The Flames escaped by the skin of their teeth in the first round after they saw Carey Price go down, and enter this series with James Reimer in net. The Flames were very inconsistent in the first round, but pulled it together in game 7 and dismissed the Canucks. Their first line has been on fire, with Monahan and Lindholm leading the league in points in the Playoffs. San Jose won all five regular season matchups, scoring four goals in all but one of the wins.
The Storyline
How much will Price be missed when the never-ending waves of Shark attacks hit Alberta?
The Key Player, Sharks
Mark MacMillan – one of the less noticed deadline trades, MacMillan was huge for the Sharks against Chicago, particularly on the PP. He will continue to be one of many offensive weapons for San Jose.
The Key Player, Flames
Calvin de Haan – if the Blackhawks defense was unable to stop the Sharks, then who can? Calvin de Haan will be heavily relied upon to help the Flames withstand the pressure from the Sharks.
The Prediction
Sharks in five
The Preview
Both these teams impressed in the first round, dismissing the Avalanche and the Wild respective in five games. The more impressive performance must be that of Nashville’s, who won several close games against the underrated Minnesota team despite having their top center Mike Fischer sidelined with injury. Fischer is now back and Head Coach Laviolette has the pleasant dilemma of fitting him onto a red hot lineup. Nashville has reinforced their D with Andrei Markov and, like the Blues, rely a lot on their first line. St. Louis faced problems in capitalizing on a big advantage in play against the Avs, winning three of their four by one goal. Blues need to get their secondary scoring going better if they are to repeat last season’s success. Sergei Bobrovsky also need to step up his game from the first round, especially with Pekka Rinne in the Nashville net playing incredibly lately. Regular season matchups ended 2-2 in which the losing team scored a total of only 1 goal, so we expect a low-scoring series.
The Storyline
In a tight series like this, teams will be looking to keep mistakes to a minimum. Who will make the mistake that sends the other team to the Conference Final?
The Key Player, Blues
Michael Del Zotto – he had a great series against the Avs netting 5 assists while acting as a reliable relief behind the Blues’ top D pairing Shattenkirk/Pietrangelo
The Key Player, Predators
Pekka Rinne – he was stellar in the first round against the Wild, and the veteran goaltender is looking to prove that he can carry his team even further
The Prediction
Blues in seven
San Jose Sharks – Calgary Flames
The Preview
OK, OK, we admit we gravely underestimated the Sharks in our first round prediction. The way San Jose dismissed the Blackhawks was nothing short of impressive, particularly considering the team’s top defenseman and arguably most important player, Brent Burns, was sidelined. They took advantage of Chicago’s inclination to take penalties and proved that the best defense is indeed a good offense. The formidable offensive skill covers for their average D-line, which will be truly tested against a more deadly Calgary O-line. The Flames escaped by the skin of their teeth in the first round after they saw Carey Price go down, and enter this series with James Reimer in net. The Flames were very inconsistent in the first round, but pulled it together in game 7 and dismissed the Canucks. Their first line has been on fire, with Monahan and Lindholm leading the league in points in the Playoffs. San Jose won all five regular season matchups, scoring four goals in all but one of the wins.
The Storyline
How much will Price be missed when the never-ending waves of Shark attacks hit Alberta?
The Key Player, Sharks
Mark MacMillan – one of the less noticed deadline trades, MacMillan was huge for the Sharks against Chicago, particularly on the PP. He will continue to be one of many offensive weapons for San Jose.
The Key Player, Flames
Calvin de Haan – if the Blackhawks defense was unable to stop the Sharks, then who can? Calvin de Haan will be heavily relied upon to help the Flames withstand the pressure from the Sharks.
The Prediction
Sharks in five