Triumph Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 Well, here we are, the Stanley Cup Finals. Hard to believe the Devils are here... I would've thought it possible, but highly unlikely.. circumstances were favorable for the Devils, and they never quit.. now to play a team just like themselves that never quit, the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. Forwards: The forward lines for the Ducks have been Kariya-Oates-Sykora, Chistov-Pahlsson-Thomas, Leclerc-Rucchin-R. Niedermayer, Bylsma-Chouinard-I forget his name, but the 4th line was almost never used by Mike Babcock in any series. The Ducks roll three lines of solid players, but the only big players up front are Leclerc, Rucchin, and Rob Niedermayer; a daunting checking line with speed and skill. We all know the Devils have.. the teams are similar in that the Devs checking line could also be a 3rd offensive line..but the Devils use their 4th line whereas the Ducks don't, and the Devils second offensive line is better.. Edge: Devils Defense: Anaheim has been using Carney-Salei, Ozolinsh-Sauer, and Vishnevsky-Havelid as its defensive pairings. Havelid sometimes plays with Carney instead of Salei. These guys have shown no weakness during the postseason, demonstrating a surprising ability to get the puck out of the zone.. especially Ozo and Sauer, since Ozolinsh has traditionally had trouble with making good passes, and Sauer's a rookie who was -20 during the regular season. We all know what the Devils have.. a weak third pairing but strong first two pairings who did not buckle under pressure against the Sens. Edge: Devils Goaltending: Gigeure. Brodeur. I defy any of you to call this one. Edge: Even. Special teams: Ducks penalty killing has been good, I think, I'm too lazy to check, but their power play has been poor. Devils penalty killing and power play has been stellar througout the playoffs, though their PP has slowed of late. The Ducks PP was lethal during the regular season, and they have players more capable of running a PP than the Devils do.. but the Devils penalty kill is also better. Edge: Even. Intangibles: Anaheim has players like Oates and Thomas who have played 15+ NHL seasons without winning a Stanley Cup. The Devils have players like Stevens and Nieuwendyk whose last chance might be this year. The only Devils without a cup ring are Friesen, Tverdovsky, Rheaume, Smehlik, Gionta, Schwab, Stevenson, McKenzie, and Bicek. The only Anaheim players with Stanley Cup rings that I can think of are Sykora and Sandis Ozolinsh, who won one in 95-96 with the Avalanche. Edge: Even Coaching: Babcock has gotten the most out of every single player on his roster. Burns has not, as Gomez and Elias continue to get chances and continue to miss them. Burns is an excellent strategist, a great motivator, but at this time of year, I think a guy like Babcock is better. Edge: Ducks. Prediction: Now, throw all that nonsense out the window, because I have no idea how to predict this. It could go from Devils in 4 to Ducks in 5, depending on Gigeure. Game 1 is absolutely huge, the Ducks have not been down in a playoff series this year, and the three Game 1s the Ducks have played have been a combined 10 OTs where the Ducks did not surrender a goal. If the Devils play like they did in Game 7, they can win this series, but they have to take play to the Ducks.. this could be a great series of 0-0 nailbiters.. I'm going to say Devils in 7, but honestly.. who knows. It depends on whether guys like Elias or Kariya can beat the lines assigned against them.. or whether guys like Sauer or Daneyko will break down at key times.. and most of all, it depends on Gigeure, who hasn't seem a team with the heart and skill of the Devils. P.S. Burns, please put in Tverdovsky, I think he would work well against a Western Conference team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westcoastdevfan Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 I will say Ducks in 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizDevil30 Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 Always believe. Devils in five. LETS GO DEVILS! FOUR MORE WINS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBT Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 Good analysis, Triumph. An impossible series to predict. The outcome will be decided by the play of one man, be it good or bad. And that man is J-S. The time has come. Time to get Jiggy with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizDevil30 Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 Maybe it is time for the Jig to be up. LETS GO DEVILS! FOUR MORE WINS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moustic Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 Devils in Number of games they need ! nevermind how many... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBT Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 The play of J-S during these playoffs has been nothing short of legendary. Beating Detroit was understandable. Sweeping them was unthinkable. Anaheim beating Dallas was a joy to watch. But still an extremely difficult task. Who knows? Maybe the long layoff has cooled off J-S? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nieuwy25 Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 Maybe the long layoff has cooled off J-S? Therefore the importance of Game 1 . . . get on him hard and fast and take advantage of any rust. Cool him off and keep him that way. Devils will win - whether in 5, 6 or 7 I don't know and don't care, though I hope they can clinch at home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shrubbery Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 It still feels odd that we have to play against Sykie, a guy who never wanted to leave in the first place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westcoastdevfan Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 I hope the Devils win in a sweep at the pond, so I can see the Cup skated by the boys in red! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brylin18 Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 DEVILS IN 6......BOOK IT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Puddy Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 Devils need to bring on the GRIT. Put a few cheap ones past Giguere and see how he reacts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weekes Head Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 I predict that a team will win the Stanley Cup. Which team? Not sure yet....but I *think* it will be the one that gets four wins first. And hey, hopefully it'll be the Devils! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueSkirt Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 I think Tri's analysis shows that the Devs will be able to consistently beat the Ducks defense - on both ends. Yeah, I know 3 other clubs didn't beat the team, but the goalkeeper was there to cover up for the D's miscues. That's the area where we hold the largest margin of edge - it will be the difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Risky Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 If the Devils could contain the Senators "O" and find ways to break down their "D," it would be a step-backward to say that they cannot defeat the Ducks. The true pivot here, of course, is J.S. However, I believe that all these games -- ALL of them -- will be 1-0 or 2-1 victories (for whoever the victor). This is truly Marty's biggest test as a goaltender. If he can play to J.S.'s level, the Devils skate with the Cup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJayDevil Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 Puddy, that is the coolest avatar I've ever seen!! Just awesome man, AWESOME! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Puddy Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 Hahah, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StarDew Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 Where are ppl getting these avatars or are they just talented and making em for themselves? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundstrom Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 good call on wanting to get t-vo back in there. i wouldn't mind getting the dan-0/tvo pairing out for game 1. if tivo is right, he's better than the other 3. of course if he's not, they can just sit him again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJayDevil Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 I rather see a Tivo-Abbie pairing first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littleton_devil Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 good call on wanting to get t-vo back in there. Totally agree on letting Tivo skate against the Mudhens and I still can't believe that Keith can't clear the zone Carney is Anaheim's marquis backliner ... as a Blackhawk, he couldn't find his a@@ with both hands! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Have Another Donut Posted May 25, 2003 Share Posted May 25, 2003 Devs in 6 (but I hope 5 if I get tix! ). I think they beat Ott despite Dano. I mean if you're only gonna play the guy less than 9 minutes-why is he even in there. Also, when they are tied or behind they need OFFENSE. Give Tivo a shot w/ Albelin. Devs gotta initiate more vs Ducks. Take it to them, put them on their heels roll those four lines. Bicek did a decent job. Joe might not be ready for game 1. Lines I'd like to see w/Joe Freezer/Joe/Marshall Elias/Gomer/Bicek or Gionta Pando/Madden/Langs Brylin/Rheaume/Gionta or Bicek no Joe Freezer/Brylin/Marshall Elias/Gomer/Gionta Pando/Madden/Langs McK or Rupp/Rheaume/Bicek I'm sure Pat will be juggling a lot as needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littleton_devil Posted May 25, 2003 Share Posted May 25, 2003 Devs gotta initiate more vs Ducks. Take it to them, put them on their heels roll those four lines. Agreed ... something I noticed during ECFs, was that NJ seemed to be laying back, waiting for the Sens to initiate while in game seven, it appeared as though Burns allowed the frontliners to bring their forechecking deeper into the Sens zone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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