From coast to coast hockey fans are catching a glimpse of the NHL's best in this year's Conference Finals. The final four teams left to battle for the Stanley Cup truly epitomize their geographical conferences as San Jose and Vancouver meet out West, while Tampa Bay and Boston meet in the East. The West played out as it should pitting the number 1 seeded Canucks against the number 2 seeded Sharks. The East, meanwhile, saw both Washington and Philadelphia make dubious second round exits and left us with the number 3 seeded Bruins to face Steve Yzerman's upstart Lightning team which finished the regular season in the 5 seed. I realize we've seen a game in each of these series already but I thought I'd weigh in with my own previews and predictions as always. Coming off a 3 - 1 second round I'm sitting at 8 - 4 for these playoffs thus far and I'm not taking both game 1 winners if it makes you feel better. Here's how I see the final four breaking down.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
3 Boston Bruins VS 5 Tampa Bay Lightning (Winner - Boston Bruins)
Well, like I said, I'm not taking both game 1 winners. I've kind of put myself behind the 8-ball with this pick as Boston took a 5 - 2 thumping in front of their home crowd in game 1. Still, I feel the Bruins have what it takes to win this series in the long run. The first game of this series may have been slightly misleading I believe. Both teams were coming off of long layoffs after completing sweeps over the Flyers and Capitals respectively. Long layoffs in hockey aren't necessarily the best thing and usually provide some fairly wonky hockey. We saw just that in the first 20 minutes of play, especially from the Bruins. If you remove a 1:25 span in the first period then this was a 2 - 2 hockey game and played much more closely than the final score shows. Once again, this is the reason we play 7 game series in hockey and not a one game winner take all.
Let me start with the Lightning because to the victor go the spoils. Kudos to Tampa Bay for overcoming a long layoff and blitzing the Bruins in the first period of game 1. All around the Lightning played a solid road game and came away with a much needed win. Unfortunately, I just can't see this Lightning team continue to win hockey games on the backs of their 3rd and 4th lines. The Bergenheim, Downie, Moore line has looked more like Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Franzen these past few weeks while racking up the points. Throw in Teddy Purcell who is second on the Lightning in playoff scoring and there is the reason why Tampa is where they are. Game 1 was a prime example as Bergenheim, Brett Clark, Purcell and Marc-Andre Bergeron provided the 4 goals past a tender (Gagne scored into an empty cage). The Bruins are a big and physical team that knows how to play solid defensively and get under the other teams skin. If past history predicts future behaviour then maybe we might see Steve Downie try and take his skate off and chase someone around the ice with it a la Happy Gilmore. If the Bruins are able to shut down Tampa's big line then I don't believe the secondary scoring is going to continue at the pace it has been.
The Bruins are a better fundamental hockey team, plain and simple. They proved over the long 82 game haul to be a fundamentally sound juggernaut with the second best goal differential in the NHL next to, surprise surprise, the Canucks. The Bruins should be able to keep pace offensively with the skilled Lightning team and have a much better back end (although that didn't shine through in game 1). The loss of Patrice Bergeron is monumental for this Bruins team, but Bergeron has been skating with the team and hopes to be back by game 3 possibly. The one bright spot with Bergeron's injury is young Tyler Seguin made a splash in his first playoff game, scoring a highlight reel goal and arguably being the Bruins best forward on the night. I expect Tim Thomas to elevate his game after laying a bit of an egg in game 1 and the rest of the Bruins to be much more efficient and accountable with the puck for the rest of the series. The Lightning won't go quietly into the night, but I like Boston to win a hard fought series.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1 Vancouver Canucks VS 2 San Jose Sharks (Winner - Vancouver Canucks)
Well Canada, one way or another were going to get a Canadian team back to the Cup for the first time since the Oilers fell to the Hurricanes in '06. Wait, what was that? Are you saying San Jose isn't a Canadian team? Don't they have like half the roster off the Canadian Olympic team though? Well, I never was very good at geography anyway so I apologize for my faux pas. Either way, this series features the two best teams in the West without a doubt. On paper and on the ice the Sharks and Canucks have great skill, veteran leadership, youthful exuberance and, oh ya, they both came within 1 game of blowing 3 - 0 series leads.
These two teams are also probably the most criticized teams for playoff failures over the past decade. The Sharks boast a plethora of talent, and have for years now, headed up by Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. Yes, the same Thornton that has been labelled as someone who disappears come April and the same Marleau that was called 'gutless' by Jeremy Roenick for his play last series. The Canucks, on the other hand, feature the likes of the Sedin twins and Roberto Luongo. Yes, that's the same Luongo that, despite backstopping Canada to an Olympic Gold, is still considered overrated because of his playoff track record. And yes, these are the same Sedin twins who have been called soft and underachievers once playoff time rolls around. Well, I'm here to tell you that someone is going to get the monkey off their back in this series. Either Thornton and Marleau or Luongo and the Sedin's must make the Stanley Cup Final this season, that is for sure. The question is, which one?
As much as I feel for Sharks fans as they have had to endure season after season of phenomenal hockey from October through early April, only to watch their team fold come playoff time, I think they are in for it again. This time, however, it is simply because they are up against the best. The Canucks staved off their nemesis in round 1, they overcame the raucous crowd in Nashville in round 2 and after overcoming a 2 - 1 third period deficit in game 1 to take the early lead in this series I'm truly a believer that this is our Stanley Cup winner. Like it or not Canada, the Cup should return to Canadian soil in just under a month. Luongo, despite his horrid giveaway to Thornton, looks poised and ready this playoff season. The Sedin twins are rounding back into form after a non-existent spell in the first and second rounds and the Canucks are getting production from their grind line as well. This team is just too good to lose. There isn't a team in the NHL that is able to beat the Vancouver Canucks this season except the Vancouver Canucks. As long as this team continues to work hard night in and night out, we'll see the Canucks play in and hoist the Stanley Cup this season.
Well, better late than never right? Game 1 of both series is in the books and the Lightning and Canucks hold one game leads respectively. By the end of next week I expect to see the Canucks continue their winning ways and send the Sharks home for the umpteenth time and the Bruins to grind out a long series win against the Lightning. The Stanley Cup Finals are right around the corner people, this is what hockey fans live for!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
Ovie VS Sid the Kid - How is Greatness Determined?
This years NHL playoff season has been overwhelming to say the least. The sixteen teams that began this incredible playoff run have left fans enamoured and lusting for more as the field has now been cut to seven with the seemingly premature exit of the Washington Capitals, a team most poolies had in the Eastern Conference Finals at the very least. With overtime becoming a nightly occurrence (already 20 OT games in under 2 rounds this year surpassing the 18 from last seasons entire playoff run) and predictability at an all time low, there isn't much more we could hope for in April or May. But amidst all the tension and the hype, there's something else that happened this playoff season that hasn't happened since the '06-'07 playoffs; Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby were not both a part of it.
With the concussion Crosby sustained in early January and the rumours that he would probably not return no matter how deep the Penguins were able to advance this year, many perceived this as Ovechkin's moment for greatness. The Capitals seemed poised and ready for a deep playoff run led by their Russian phenom and Sid the Kid could only watch from the press box. Ovechkin and company clearly did not seize this moment as they were handily swept aside by the Tampa Bay Lightning in a fairly uneventful second round clash. For the fourth straight year the Capitals have dominated the regular season racking up four straight Southeast division titles, two Eastern Conference titles and a Presidents Trophy, yet have nothing more than a pair of first round wins over the NY Rangers to show for it in the post-season. At what point does the onus begin to fall squarely on the shoulders of Ovechkin, widely considered to share the title of the best player in the world with the aforementioned Crosby? With both of these superstars now on the outside looking in on the playoffs, I thought it fitting to take a glimpse at their young careers (Ovechkin is only 25 and Crosby 23) and see how the perceptions of these two hockey giants differ based upon wins and losses.
The Ovechkin-Crosby debate has become a staple among the hockey world since the two squared off against each other in the Gold Medal game of World Junior Championship in 2005. Crosby showed utter dominance in the QMJHL collecting 303 points in 121 games in just 2 seasons with Rimouski before being drafted number 1 overall by the Penguins in 2005 as one of the most coveted draft picks in recent memory. Ovechkin, taken number 1 the year prior to Crosby, was widely regarded as one of the most talented Russian's in the world and proved just that by leading Russia to a World Junior Gold Medal in 2003. In 2005 the hockey world got their first true glimpse at one of the greatest blossoming individual hockey rivalries of this era as Sid and Ovie took centre stage in Grand Forks to play for Gold. However, the much anticipated Russia-Canada and Ovechkin-Crosby matchup didn't quite have the muster that most people were so eager to see. Ovechkin was hurt midway through the second period and the Canadian juggernaut assembled because of the NHL lockout went on to dismantle the Russians 6 - 1. Round one goes to Crosby.
The next time fans would get a true taste of this rivalry would be the 2005 - '06 NHL regular season where, coming out of a lockout, the hockey God's quickly erased the negative memories of a work stoppage by creating an arms race for the Calder trophy. Ovechkin and Crosby dazzled fans and asserted themselves among the elite in the NHL immediately by posting 106 and 102 point seasons respectively. Ovechkin sniped 52 goals and fell just 4 short of Jonathan Cheechoo's 56 for the Rocket Richard trophy. Both superstars, however, were unable to lead their teams to playoff hockey and they finished next to each other in the basement of the Eastern Conference. Not surprisingly, Ovechkin was awarded the Calder trophy that June with Crosby finishing a close second. Round two to Ovechkin.
Rounds three and four of this heavyweight tilt seem to be split decisions as both stars became young legends individually. Crosby, fresh off his Calder trophy loss to Ovechkin, took the NHL by storm in '06-'07 and became the youngest NHL player in history to win the Art Ross trophy at 19 years of age. Crosby, joined by that years Calder winner Evgeni Malkin, would make up one of the most dangerous duos in hockey to this day and led the Penguins to a playoff birth. The 120 point season for Crosby would also earn him the Hart trophy and Lester B. Pearson award as the league's most outstanding player judged by the NHL players association. Not to be outdone, Ovechkin would win the Hart trophy, Lester B. Pearson award, Art Ross trophy and Rocket Richard trophy with 65 goals and 112 points in '07-'08. Ovechkin is still the only player in NHL history to capture all four awards in the same season and was able to lead the Caps to the playoffs that same year. The two had cemented themselves as the NHL's premier superstars and new faces of the game.
Following Ovechkin's record breaking season in '07-'08 it seems as though this argument of the greatest player in the game has seen a separation. It is extremely easy and difficult at the same time to make a case for either Crosby or Ovechkin as the greatest individual player in today's game solely based on individual numbers because the two are seemingly so equally matched. The only true separation between the two can be the achievements of the teams they have respectively led. Crosby captained the Penguins to back-to-back Stanley Cup appearances and boasts a Stanley Cup ring. He will live on in Canadian hockey lore as the image of the 'Golden Goal' in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver will be forever etched in the minds and hearts of the Canadian faithful. Ovechkin, meanwhile, has yet to reach a conference final with the Caps and was a part of one of the poorest Russian showings in an Olympic hockey game as they were embarrassed 7 - 3 by the Canadians in the quarterfinals. The talent level of each team is not in dispute either as the Capitals and Penguins have been powerhouses in the NHL for several years now and both the Russian and Canadian teams were slated to play for Gold.
In a game clearly defined as a 'team sport', individual greatness always seems to be represented by team wins and losses. Is it fair? No, probably not. Is it a reality? Yes, plain and simple. The greatest individual players in team sports are constantly defined by how they are able to perform in the post-season and how they are able to lead their teams to greatness. Legends like NFL hall of famer Dan Marino are forever slightly tarnished because of his inability to capture that career defining win. Is the perception of individual greatness within team sports one that needs to be redefined, or is it simply the mark of the true greats that they are able to seize that greatness and will their team to victory? The great debate will continue to rage on as it always has, continuing to beg the question of who is the best. It's early on in both their young careers and we expect many more years of excellence from both Ovie and Sid the Kid, but for now one must acknowledge that this two horse race has a clear cut thoroughbred in Crosby. Sid has emerged not only as one of the most talented players in the NHL today, but as a born leader and a true winner. Until Ovechkin is able to prove his worth in post-season hardware, it seems as though he will play second fiddle in the great debate to a much more seasoned and accomplished Crosby.
With the concussion Crosby sustained in early January and the rumours that he would probably not return no matter how deep the Penguins were able to advance this year, many perceived this as Ovechkin's moment for greatness. The Capitals seemed poised and ready for a deep playoff run led by their Russian phenom and Sid the Kid could only watch from the press box. Ovechkin and company clearly did not seize this moment as they were handily swept aside by the Tampa Bay Lightning in a fairly uneventful second round clash. For the fourth straight year the Capitals have dominated the regular season racking up four straight Southeast division titles, two Eastern Conference titles and a Presidents Trophy, yet have nothing more than a pair of first round wins over the NY Rangers to show for it in the post-season. At what point does the onus begin to fall squarely on the shoulders of Ovechkin, widely considered to share the title of the best player in the world with the aforementioned Crosby? With both of these superstars now on the outside looking in on the playoffs, I thought it fitting to take a glimpse at their young careers (Ovechkin is only 25 and Crosby 23) and see how the perceptions of these two hockey giants differ based upon wins and losses.
The Ovechkin-Crosby debate has become a staple among the hockey world since the two squared off against each other in the Gold Medal game of World Junior Championship in 2005. Crosby showed utter dominance in the QMJHL collecting 303 points in 121 games in just 2 seasons with Rimouski before being drafted number 1 overall by the Penguins in 2005 as one of the most coveted draft picks in recent memory. Ovechkin, taken number 1 the year prior to Crosby, was widely regarded as one of the most talented Russian's in the world and proved just that by leading Russia to a World Junior Gold Medal in 2003. In 2005 the hockey world got their first true glimpse at one of the greatest blossoming individual hockey rivalries of this era as Sid and Ovie took centre stage in Grand Forks to play for Gold. However, the much anticipated Russia-Canada and Ovechkin-Crosby matchup didn't quite have the muster that most people were so eager to see. Ovechkin was hurt midway through the second period and the Canadian juggernaut assembled because of the NHL lockout went on to dismantle the Russians 6 - 1. Round one goes to Crosby.
The next time fans would get a true taste of this rivalry would be the 2005 - '06 NHL regular season where, coming out of a lockout, the hockey God's quickly erased the negative memories of a work stoppage by creating an arms race for the Calder trophy. Ovechkin and Crosby dazzled fans and asserted themselves among the elite in the NHL immediately by posting 106 and 102 point seasons respectively. Ovechkin sniped 52 goals and fell just 4 short of Jonathan Cheechoo's 56 for the Rocket Richard trophy. Both superstars, however, were unable to lead their teams to playoff hockey and they finished next to each other in the basement of the Eastern Conference. Not surprisingly, Ovechkin was awarded the Calder trophy that June with Crosby finishing a close second. Round two to Ovechkin.
Rounds three and four of this heavyweight tilt seem to be split decisions as both stars became young legends individually. Crosby, fresh off his Calder trophy loss to Ovechkin, took the NHL by storm in '06-'07 and became the youngest NHL player in history to win the Art Ross trophy at 19 years of age. Crosby, joined by that years Calder winner Evgeni Malkin, would make up one of the most dangerous duos in hockey to this day and led the Penguins to a playoff birth. The 120 point season for Crosby would also earn him the Hart trophy and Lester B. Pearson award as the league's most outstanding player judged by the NHL players association. Not to be outdone, Ovechkin would win the Hart trophy, Lester B. Pearson award, Art Ross trophy and Rocket Richard trophy with 65 goals and 112 points in '07-'08. Ovechkin is still the only player in NHL history to capture all four awards in the same season and was able to lead the Caps to the playoffs that same year. The two had cemented themselves as the NHL's premier superstars and new faces of the game.
Following Ovechkin's record breaking season in '07-'08 it seems as though this argument of the greatest player in the game has seen a separation. It is extremely easy and difficult at the same time to make a case for either Crosby or Ovechkin as the greatest individual player in today's game solely based on individual numbers because the two are seemingly so equally matched. The only true separation between the two can be the achievements of the teams they have respectively led. Crosby captained the Penguins to back-to-back Stanley Cup appearances and boasts a Stanley Cup ring. He will live on in Canadian hockey lore as the image of the 'Golden Goal' in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver will be forever etched in the minds and hearts of the Canadian faithful. Ovechkin, meanwhile, has yet to reach a conference final with the Caps and was a part of one of the poorest Russian showings in an Olympic hockey game as they were embarrassed 7 - 3 by the Canadians in the quarterfinals. The talent level of each team is not in dispute either as the Capitals and Penguins have been powerhouses in the NHL for several years now and both the Russian and Canadian teams were slated to play for Gold.
In a game clearly defined as a 'team sport', individual greatness always seems to be represented by team wins and losses. Is it fair? No, probably not. Is it a reality? Yes, plain and simple. The greatest individual players in team sports are constantly defined by how they are able to perform in the post-season and how they are able to lead their teams to greatness. Legends like NFL hall of famer Dan Marino are forever slightly tarnished because of his inability to capture that career defining win. Is the perception of individual greatness within team sports one that needs to be redefined, or is it simply the mark of the true greats that they are able to seize that greatness and will their team to victory? The great debate will continue to rage on as it always has, continuing to beg the question of who is the best. It's early on in both their young careers and we expect many more years of excellence from both Ovie and Sid the Kid, but for now one must acknowledge that this two horse race has a clear cut thoroughbred in Crosby. Sid has emerged not only as one of the most talented players in the NHL today, but as a born leader and a true winner. Until Ovechkin is able to prove his worth in post-season hardware, it seems as though he will play second fiddle in the great debate to a much more seasoned and accomplished Crosby.
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