Fighting to stay alive

[Revan]

We Poles write about NHL too.

http://nhl.com.pl/artykuly.php?aid=3210

Fighting to stay alive

[05/05/2007 | nhl.com.pl]

The Ottawa Senators are just one win away from reaching the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in team's history. The Sens can end their 2nd round tonight, when they faceoff in game 5 against the New Jersey Devils at the Continental Airlines Arena. After two losses in Canada's capital the Devils are in a difficult situation - to win the series, they would have to win three in a row. New Jersey has to play better offensively, as they managed to score only two goals in the last two games, to avoid elimination in tonight's game, which may be the last ever played by the Devils in East Rutherford.

There are several tasks awaiting Lou Lamoriello's players. Firstly, they have to be aggressive and shoot at Ray Emery as often as possible. Secondly, goalie Martin Brodeur can't afford to make easy mistakes on Ottawa star's shots. Dany Heatley's goal in game 4, which originally was an attempt to pass, was the third time Brodeur allowed a goal from nearly a 0 angle this playoffs. But it has to be said, that besides making the mistake, Canadian goaltender was quite sharp in the last two games, allowing only one goal in game 3, and a controversial one. It was Devils' offense that wasn't sharp - the team's attackers are very solid in goals and assists stats, but they coulnd't score a single goal in that game 3.

The Devils, whose backs are against the wall now, are even trying to turn up the heat with some comments according their rivals. - I think we finally proved to ourselves that if we shoot the puck on Emery, he won't look too good, - Brodeur said during a press conference - He was bobbling a lot of pucks and we could have gotten a lot more than we did. He played a good game, but I think we exposed him a little with his rebound control. - he added. But Ottawa's goalie didn't want to discuss the matter with his former idol. - They're down in the series, I don't know what he said, but it doesn't necessarily matter to me, I'm not going to say anything. - he told the journalists.

While Jersey has some elements to adjust in their game, the way to win the series is much easier for the Sens - they have to play the same game they've played so far. During the Devils' 2007 playoffs the team that scored first always won the game. Senators don't have to change much in their game. And though they don't need to win tonight to stay alive, Bryan Murray's team would prefer to end things as soon as possible. - They're a team that's capable of coming back and hanging around. - Heatley said about his team's rivals - It's our job not to let them hang around and take the play to them.

It's the fifth time the Sens have a 3-1 series lead. Everytime they had such a situation, they didn't waste the opportunity to win the series. New Jersey meanwhile was down 3-1 six times and they managed to go through it in 2000, on the way to their second Stanley Cup. The team, coached by Larry Robinson, did it in the conference final against the Philadelphia Flyers. But Lamoriello says - The past is in the past. We have to get prepared to play Saturday night.

The teams already met twice in the Stanley Cup playoffs. The first time, in 1998, Senators won 4-2 in the 1st round, after leading 3-1 in the series. The second time was in 2003 conference final. The Devils had a 3-1 lead and their opponents tied the series, but Jersey advanced after winning game 7.

San Jose Sharks - Detroit Red Wings [series tied, 2-2] - The Red Wings come back to the Hockey Town after game 4, which was a narrow escape from falling to a 3-1 deficit. Detroit tied the game in the last minute of the third period and then won after Mathieu Schneider scored an OT winner. Instead of fighting for their lives, they battle to take the lead in their own building. But to get the win, Mike Babcock's teamm will have to be more effective. In every single game against the Sharks these playoffs the Wings fired more shots then their opponents did, but few of them ended up in the net. Bill Guerin won't be able to help San Jose, as he was hit by the puck in the face in game 4.

Edited May 5, 2007 by Revan

[LizDevil30]

Thanks for the link. Or more importantly thanks for the translation.