DevilsMJ Posted May 4, 2006 Share Posted May 4, 2006 http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/index?&lpos=...&lid=gn_NHL_NHL Second Chance Ottawa and Carolina are the only top-half teams to advance to the second round. The West is a mix of bottom-feeders. Who'll win and why? Scott Burnside previews the conference semifinals. I guess New Jersey was the 6th seed and Buffalo was the 5th seed, but we both got home ice advantage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammyk Posted May 4, 2006 Share Posted May 4, 2006 Well ya know, top half of the top four! It's the new math. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MantaRay Posted May 4, 2006 Share Posted May 4, 2006 Unfortunately, we were the #3 Seed...but not from New York Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triumph Posted May 4, 2006 Share Posted May 4, 2006 Remember, Scott Burnside predicted the Rangers to win, so in his world they beat the Devils in 7. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueNJ97 Posted May 4, 2006 Share Posted May 4, 2006 Unfortunately, we were the #3 Seed...but not from New York And so, we just don't exist. Yep, par for the course. And Buffalo is from NY, but not the RIGHT part of NY. So being the #4 seed must have been a mirage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devs25 Posted May 4, 2006 Share Posted May 4, 2006 Updated: May 4, 2006, 12:50 PM ET Second-round breakdown: Hurricanes vs. DevilsBy Scott Burnside ESPN.com Archive Although they are technically the favorite, the Hurricanes will no doubt enter this second-round matchup with the Devils as the underdogs, given the recent play of the Devils. New Jersey has achieved juggernaut status by winning its last 11 regular-season games and sweeping the Rangers in the first round. The Devils outscored the hapless Rangers 17-4 and barely seemed to break a sweat. All of which should suit Hurricanes coach Peter Laviolette and his resilient team just fine. Although Carolina locked down the Habs in winning four straight one-goal games, and the Devils, led by Martin Brodeur, always play it close to the vest, this one should be more entertaining than people think. The Devils revealed an explosive side against the Rangers and are far from being one-dimensional. Brian Gionta has been a revelation this season, emerging as the best American-born forward in the NHL, while linemate Scott Gomez has re-emerged as one of the game's best set-up men. But it has been the stellar play of playoff scoring leader Patrik Elias that gives the Devils the luxury of a more balanced attack. The Hurricanes will counter with one of the deepest offensive lineups in the league. They have been led by playoff warrior Rod Brind'Amour, who has continued his renaissance season with a strong first round, but he has lots of help, including Eric Staal, Doug Weight, Mark Recchi, Justin Williams and Matt Cullen. Why Carolina will win: The Hurricanes were one of the best home teams in the NHL during the regular season, and having put behind them the early-series wobbles against Montreal, they will take full advantage of opening at home against the Devils. As much as the Devils looked awesome against the Rangers, the Blueshirts' Jaromir Jagr, Darius Kasparaitis and netminder Henrik Lundqvist were all hobbled to varying degrees. The Canes are going to throw a whole lot more speed and skill at the Devils than they've seen thus far. The knock on the Devils has been the lack of speed along their blue line. The Rangers were never able to capitalize on that shortcoming, but the Hurricanes have built a franchise-best season on an attack-style offense. True, Martin Brodeur vs. rookie Cam Ward is an obvious mismatch, but Ward showed he is unfazed by pressure after winning four straight starts in the first round, two in overtime. His .940 save percentage means the Canes will be comfortable continuing to play one-goal games. Carolina's defensive strengths, overshadowed by the team's offensive weaponry this season, were evident in the final four games vs. Montreal as they allowed just five goals. Those are the kinds of games the Devils have made a habit of winning, but this is a Carolina team that has shown the kind of adaptability that is the stuff of champions. The Canes have yet to lose on the road, a factor that will come in handy later in the series. Staal showed terrific maturity in leading Carolina with eight points in his first NHL playoffs. Cullen and Justin Williams both chipped in critical goals during the Montreal series and make the Canes a dangerous team both on 5-on-5 and on the power play. Too dangerous, ultimately, for the Devils to handle. Why New Jersey will lose: During the Rangers series, the Devils dictated the play at every turn. Playing Carolina will be a different story altogether. The Devils have enjoyed banner years from Gionta, who finished the regular season with a franchise-best 48 goals and 89 points, and Gomez, who seems to have emerged from the shadows under which he played for the past couple of seasons. And what can you say about Elias, who missed half the season but now leads the NHL in postseason scoring? Jamie Langenbrunner has also enjoyed a good start to the playoffs with eight points and a plus-four rating. That said, the Devils simply cannot match the Hurricanes in terms of their offensive depth, especially if Carolina's defense can replicate its performance of the past four games vs. Montreal, making star Alexei Kovalev a nonfactor. Although Brian Rafalski and Paul Martin represent the best the Devils have in terms of puck-movement along the blue line, Carolina will be looking to pressure a veteran but less mobile group that includes Brad Lukowich, Ken Klee and Colin White (who has been injured). Even with Brodeur in the Devils' net, preparing to move into third all-time in playoff wins with his next victory, Carolina figures to create turnovers and draw a lot of penalties. Devils coach Lou Lamoriello, who took over when Larry Robinson quit midway through the season, had an easy time of it against New York. But how will he respond if the Devils get behind and he has to make significant adjustments to his lineup and/or his game plan? Laviolette already has shown he can make those kinds of adjustments as Carolina rebounded from a 2-0 deficit to oust the Habs. Prediction: Carolina in seven. Scott Burnside is an NHL writer for ESPN.com. Link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triumph Posted May 4, 2006 Share Posted May 4, 2006 LOL, only to a New York writer is Alexei Kovalev a 'star'. Let's count the number of 30 goal seasons Kovalev has without Mario Lemieux.. that's a big 0. How many 25 goal seasons? That's yet another goose egg. Alexei Kovalev is so incredibly overrated - how is someone with his skill set going to retire with very few injuries and less than 400 goals. Yes, but he's a 'star'. The Devils can't match the Hurricanes in scoring depth? Well, if we were talking the regular season this guy would be right - but we're talking the playoffs, where Cory Stillman, Mark Recchi, and Ray Whitney typically have little impact. So in a sense he's right, but in the important sense he's wrong. I can't see the 'Canes taking a Game 7 from New Jersey. Either they win in 6 or they're not going to win at all - even on the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevilsMJ Posted May 4, 2006 Author Share Posted May 4, 2006 Burnside is an "expert" I can see him saying Canes in 6, but how could you think that Brodeur would lose to a rookie in a game 7. I feel like they just pick in 7 because then it gives them more outs, as if the Devils win in 6 or 7 they were almost right and if they say 6 and the other team wins in 6 they look stupid. Maybe Roy in a a game 7, but Brodeur wouldn't lose to a rookie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StarDew Posted May 4, 2006 Share Posted May 4, 2006 I think the devs will remember 1st round ejection the canes did to them...not this time around albeit 2nd round...there is something more to this than just round 2 for the devs imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizDevil30 Posted May 4, 2006 Share Posted May 4, 2006 No one picking NJ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devils731 Posted May 4, 2006 Share Posted May 4, 2006 What can Burnside say about Elias? Well last round Elias wasn't even good enough to factor into Burnside's prediction about the series, I believe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteyvegas Posted May 4, 2006 Share Posted May 4, 2006 It seems that everyone thinks we're a fluke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LOTCB Posted May 5, 2006 Share Posted May 5, 2006 My biggest suprise?? That good hockey fans like yourself even click on ESPN's NHL section even ONCE....I have not went on that site for hockey news for YEARS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cowutopia Posted May 5, 2006 Share Posted May 5, 2006 Yeah, it's really sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Leeds Posted May 5, 2006 Share Posted May 5, 2006 "........and draw a lot of penalties" From the least penalized team in the league, again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4Stevens4 Posted May 5, 2006 Share Posted May 5, 2006 (edited) All is right with the world I guess. No one gives us a chance- just the way I like. The Devils have been proving these so called "experts" wrong for years. No matter what the Devils do things will never change. Let all the pressure be on the Canes to win- that suits me just fine and I think the Devils as well. Edited May 5, 2006 by 4Stevens4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevilsMJ Posted May 5, 2006 Author Share Posted May 5, 2006 My biggest suprise??That good hockey fans like yourself even click on ESPN's NHL section even ONCE....I have not went on that site for hockey news for YEARS It's funny to see what they write. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devil Fan Posted May 5, 2006 Share Posted May 5, 2006 Another wrong pick by Burnside. The depth of forwards is so in tangeble and it is a different story in the playoffs. If that is a huge factor, why the Wings get dusted out despite having the best forward corps in the game??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogonjdevil Posted May 5, 2006 Share Posted May 5, 2006 Burnside really doesn't like us. Did Lou tell him to have another donut or something? Has anybody picked us yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MantaRay Posted May 5, 2006 Share Posted May 5, 2006 Laviolette already has shown he can make those kinds of adjustments as Carolina rebounded from a 2-0 deficit to oust the Habs.Prediction: Carolina in seven. Link First off, the Canes were heavily favored over the Habs who barely got in the playoffs. Does that say something about Laviolette not having his team prepared for a weak opponent? He didn't exactly get Team USA in any medal round preparation. I like Laviolette but he hasn't really been exposed to playoff hockey in his short stints as an NHL coach. Second: We thrive in adversitiy. Picking the Canes is in our favor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redruM Posted May 5, 2006 Share Posted May 5, 2006 ESPN is a Joke, not a single analyst over there likes us, they still blane Nj for ruining the NHL ( yet praise Edm for doing the same now!!!) Its NJ against the World.. wouldn't have it any other way... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteyvegas Posted May 5, 2006 Share Posted May 5, 2006 Unfortunately, the teams themselves dont underestimate us. We cant surprise them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJD Jester Posted May 5, 2006 Share Posted May 5, 2006 So Burnside says the Canes are unstoppable at home (despite the first round series) and they're undefeated on the road thus far. Yet the series will go seven games. Gotta love that logic... <JESTER> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogonjdevil Posted May 5, 2006 Share Posted May 5, 2006 So Burnside says the Canes are unstoppable at home (despite the first round series) and they're undefeated on the road thus far. Yet the series will go seven games. Gotta love that logic...<JESTER> He's an ESPN Hockey Analyst....you gotta cut him a little slack. They don't really pay him for logic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerrydevil Posted May 5, 2006 Share Posted May 5, 2006 I'm not offended by this guy's prediction or any other "expert" that picks Carolina to win this series. I just don't understand the logic, as many of you have already pointed out. Devils in six. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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