Tuesday, May 25, 2004
Cup Crazy
Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals is upon us and I couldn't be more excited. Tampa Bay vs. Calgary. Two young, aggressive, attacking, hungry teams going at it. Two of the lowest payrolls in the NHL, too! Both represent small markets, which could reflect heavily in the ratings, which is a shame because this is really a series everyone needs to watch. If it comes anywhere close to the intensity and quality of this year's conference finals, then sports fans are in for a treat.
Calgary is the prototypical underdog. They were expected to lose to Vancouver, Detroit, and San Jose. But they beat all of those teams due to three consistent factors.
1. Outstanding play from the stars
MVP finalist, Jarome Iginla has shown that he is a true leader and capable of carrying this team. He's provided clutch goals and has been a driving presence this entire playoffs. Craig Conroy is coming up huge, both in the goals and faceoff departments. Additionally, no hockey team goes anywhere without outstanding goaltending. Calgary has been lucky enough to have Vezina Trophy (best goalie) finalist, Mikka Kiprusoff dominating in net.
2. Grit
What the Flames lack in speed and defensive organization, they make up for in toughness. Hard checking and intense play have leveled the playing field in their last 3 series, all of which they were outclassed in talent. They're getting physical and have been able to hinder their opponents' star players.
3. They want it
"Hungry" is the word that best describes this team. There's no quit in them. They are prepared to outwork and outlast and have never settled into a feeling of complacency.
Tampa Bay's keys to success aren't too different. Yet even as the 1 seed in the East, they weren't fully expected to be here because (like the Flames) they had little-to-no playoff experience.
1. Stars are shining
Martin St. Louis (who'll probably win the MVP) has been clutch. Nikolai Khabibulin has been amazing in goal. Like Calgary, the Lightning stars are leading the way.
2. Attacking with the quickness
Tampa has lots of speed and they like to use it. Their m.o. is attack, attack, attack. They're going to pepper the opposing keeper with shots and elude checks deftly. If the Lightning are up by 3 goals, all they want to do is score 3 more. They play quick transition defense, too.
3. Confidence
The resilience this team showed by winning game 7 against the Flyers (after blowing a chance to wrap the series in game 6) is proof that they have the metal to win it all. Granted, that was their first real test of these playoffs, but that's only because they dominated in the first two rounds and did so, primarily, by believing they were going to advance before they even hit the ice. Before these playoffs, Tampa was thought to be a question mark. They won the top seed in the East, but no one seemed overtly intimidated by them. A place in the finals has definitely earned them their credentials.
This series is going the distance. I like Tampa in seven games. If it's a tightly contested, tight-scoring series like I anticipate, expect Nik Khabibulin to take home the Conn Smythe (playoff MVP).
Woot! Stanley Cup!
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Calgary is the prototypical underdog. They were expected to lose to Vancouver, Detroit, and San Jose. But they beat all of those teams due to three consistent factors.
1. Outstanding play from the stars
MVP finalist, Jarome Iginla has shown that he is a true leader and capable of carrying this team. He's provided clutch goals and has been a driving presence this entire playoffs. Craig Conroy is coming up huge, both in the goals and faceoff departments. Additionally, no hockey team goes anywhere without outstanding goaltending. Calgary has been lucky enough to have Vezina Trophy (best goalie) finalist, Mikka Kiprusoff dominating in net.
2. Grit
What the Flames lack in speed and defensive organization, they make up for in toughness. Hard checking and intense play have leveled the playing field in their last 3 series, all of which they were outclassed in talent. They're getting physical and have been able to hinder their opponents' star players.
3. They want it
"Hungry" is the word that best describes this team. There's no quit in them. They are prepared to outwork and outlast and have never settled into a feeling of complacency.
Tampa Bay's keys to success aren't too different. Yet even as the 1 seed in the East, they weren't fully expected to be here because (like the Flames) they had little-to-no playoff experience.
1. Stars are shining
Martin St. Louis (who'll probably win the MVP) has been clutch. Nikolai Khabibulin has been amazing in goal. Like Calgary, the Lightning stars are leading the way.
2. Attacking with the quickness
Tampa has lots of speed and they like to use it. Their m.o. is attack, attack, attack. They're going to pepper the opposing keeper with shots and elude checks deftly. If the Lightning are up by 3 goals, all they want to do is score 3 more. They play quick transition defense, too.
3. Confidence
The resilience this team showed by winning game 7 against the Flyers (after blowing a chance to wrap the series in game 6) is proof that they have the metal to win it all. Granted, that was their first real test of these playoffs, but that's only because they dominated in the first two rounds and did so, primarily, by believing they were going to advance before they even hit the ice. Before these playoffs, Tampa was thought to be a question mark. They won the top seed in the East, but no one seemed overtly intimidated by them. A place in the finals has definitely earned them their credentials.
This series is going the distance. I like Tampa in seven games. If it's a tightly contested, tight-scoring series like I anticipate, expect Nik Khabibulin to take home the Conn Smythe (playoff MVP).
Woot! Stanley Cup!
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