Round 2 in the West
Most of the results from round one could have been predicted in the west, with the conference leading Oilers advancing, and the turn around Stars basting Minny. The Ducks series was a bit harrowing for some, but they pulled through, and as for Chicago, well they are the Cinderella story for the season 19 playoffs in the West. On to our review of the first matchup:
Dallas (7) Vs Edmonton (1)
Dallas has had a rough go of it for a few seasons now, add to that being left without a dedicated GM for quite some time, and you have to be impressed at their fortitude this year. Though they tapered off a bit at years end, it was enough to garner them a playoff spot, and a first round matchup against the Wild, who they dispensed with in a mighty quick 5 games. Now Dallas comes up against the Edmonton Oilers, Western conference leaders, and only 3 points out of top spot in the league. Its been an uphill climb for Dallas, and going into Edmonton to take on Pomminville and Richards should scare most teams.
Dallas has weapons, specifically Zack Parise and Brandon Dubinsky. The former being the chief playmaker with 9 assists, and the latter being tied for playoff goals with 6 in 5 games. Scoring hasn't been an issue for the Stars in the post season, with 17 goals in 5 games and 9 different contributers to the cause. The Achilles heel for Dallas may be the propensity for the sin bin, with more than 20 PM's per game, they are only surpassed by Columbus at present. The PK unit is getting the job done for the most part, humming along at 90%, but that was against a demonstrably poor Minny PP unit that stumbled all season. Now they face the best PP unit of the post season in Edmonton. On the blueline is where the stars really slack off. Giving up 34+ shots a game, mediocre checking and general slowness has caused Dallas to give up more shots per game than any other team save the Blues. That of course brings us around to Nabokov, who in the twilight of his career has found a cause he deems worthy to play for, and this his last chance to win a cup. Nabokov has been nothing short of god-like for the first 5 games of this playoff run. He leads in S% with .947, a number most teams will never see on their stats page, and he is hungry.
Forwards: C+ Lack of depth brings them down, though despite this, they do spread the scoring.
Defense: C+ Getting in on the scoring: great!, letting everything get past you: not so much
Goal: A+ A true artist, can he stave off the Oilers and their dream season?
Edmonton is an enigma to me. Much like Calgary or Nashville teams of years past, I cannot figure how what makes this team click so well. As previously stated, Pomminville and Richards are forces to be reckoned with for the Oilers, Pommy with 4-6-10 in 5 games, and Rick with 2-7-9 in the same. Like the Stars, 17 goals in 5 games would indicate that they too have no issue scoring goals, but they were facing an Arizona team who squeaked into the playoffs on a wing and a prayer. Edm has something more than what you see on paper while perusing their roster, they have a depth of character combined with grit that must be in place to become a champion. On defence they are statistically stronger than Dallas, keeping the shots to the outside but being less productive on the score sheet, playing their positions first , and playing them well. In the net Bryzgalov is playing well, not up to Nabbies standards, but well enough to post a .927 S% in his five games played, against a somewhat easier team to beat. This role through the playoffs may well be easier for the Oilers than they anticipated, at least for the first 2 rounds, the conference finals may well be a very different story. Sadly the Oilers and Stars only played once this season, and that game went to a shootout, one that Dallas walked away with. Something tell me this series will be a bit different.
Forwards: B- Another lack of real depth, but slightly more talented front men.
Defense: B- Better in their own end, but not contributing on the score sheet enough.
Goal: B+ Bryz is chugging along, he isn't on fire like the opposition, but good enough will do.
Summary:
This series could actually swing either way. Both teams are more or less closely matched, though individual strengths and weaknesses vary slightly, and of course the wildy different position finishes on the year would contradict this idea. This is a close, high scoring series that we foresee Edmonton carrying away. Nabby may have played his best hockey already, and could be running out of steam. Bryz is playing solid and regular, as long as Pommy continues his assault I give the edge to EDM in this one. EDM in 6
