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Last year this time I was sitting in an Ottawa restaurant with EJ Russel, Kevin Lee, and Katie Villeneuve getting ready for the Sens and Ottawa to launch into what was being viewed as a pivotal series for each franchise.
In Buffalo, the window was looking to be closing and Drury and Briere were about to leave the Beatles and move on.
That Senators team had dominated soundly the regular season. However, the franchise had not competed for a Cup since well, early last century.
This year we have a Flyers team that has come further than any team in NHL history the season after finishing dead last in the NHL, and Penguins team that looks to be an eventual Cup winner but still had too many holes and a few more pieces to put into the Dynasty category.
The only thing those two series have in common are well.....Danny Briere.
This will be an exciting series despite the loss of Kimmo Timonen, and while virtually no one had given these Flyers a shot prior to that devastating loss, no one did in the first two rounds either. No one picked them to make the playoffs. The Flyers are eating up this role. It is all that this city is about. It is Rocky. The underdog. This city hates being the favorite, and has NEVER won it all as a favorite. It would be fitting if the first team to go from last to a Stanley Cup was from Philadelphia.
The Penguins are purely a joy to watch. I wrote a blog mid-season the Malkin was the best player in the NHL, and it is getting increasingly evident that it may just be the case. And oh, btw, they have the best competitor in hockey who also may be the best player in Sidney Crosby. They made a great move in Hossa, and they are getting huge play from the rest of the cast. The Penguins are going to win the Stanley Cup eventually. It is really not a question. The question is...how many?
So what are the keys? For me it is obvious. I have watched these teams play each other so many times that there are certain realities that are self-evident.
Goaltending will be a factor, but not the difference. However, I give the edge here to Biron who is streaky and playing the best hockey of his career. The other edge Biron has is his demeanor. He is far more at ease with all this than MAF. All that being said, I have watched plenty of Flyers/Penguins games and I can't remember goaltending being a factor for the most part.
These teams are each capable of dominating the other. That is something to look to. There will be some lopsided games on both sides.
In the end the series I see two key matchups.
#1 Special Teams. Most notable the Flyers Special Teams without Timomen. 5 on 5 this series will be VERY close.
#2 Malkin vs...wait for it.....Hartnell and Upshall. As great as Malkin is and has been he has yet to show he can remain focused when games get very physical. He showed a lack of maturity in the Rangers series and don't think the Flyers didn't notice.
#3 Fleury's Rebounds. This doesn't just extend to Fleury but to the Pens Defense as well. The Flyers ate up Huet on rebounds.
#4 Briere's speed. When Briere is moving at top speeds is when he makes his best plays. Danny is the only Skill match the Flyers may have in this series, but don't forget the Flyers have more players who scored 25 goals than anyone.
in Conclusion, The Penguins and Flyers are both playing MUCH better teams than they have to date, especially the Penguins...The Penguins bring many of the best qualities of Washington and Montreal together. The Flyers are nothing like the Sens or the Rangers.
In the end I think this series is a toss-up. Truly a toss-up. But since I have to make a pick I will say Philly in 7. Deep down I agree with Scoop Cooper...Either team could win in 7 or in 4.
Have fun and enjoy the game!
In Buffalo, the window was looking to be closing and Drury and Briere were about to leave the Beatles and move on.
That Senators team had dominated soundly the regular season. However, the franchise had not competed for a Cup since well, early last century.
This year we have a Flyers team that has come further than any team in NHL history the season after finishing dead last in the NHL, and Penguins team that looks to be an eventual Cup winner but still had too many holes and a few more pieces to put into the Dynasty category.
The only thing those two series have in common are well.....Danny Briere.
This will be an exciting series despite the loss of Kimmo Timonen, and while virtually no one had given these Flyers a shot prior to that devastating loss, no one did in the first two rounds either. No one picked them to make the playoffs. The Flyers are eating up this role. It is all that this city is about. It is Rocky. The underdog. This city hates being the favorite, and has NEVER won it all as a favorite. It would be fitting if the first team to go from last to a Stanley Cup was from Philadelphia.
The Penguins are purely a joy to watch. I wrote a blog mid-season the Malkin was the best player in the NHL, and it is getting increasingly evident that it may just be the case. And oh, btw, they have the best competitor in hockey who also may be the best player in Sidney Crosby. They made a great move in Hossa, and they are getting huge play from the rest of the cast. The Penguins are going to win the Stanley Cup eventually. It is really not a question. The question is...how many?
So what are the keys? For me it is obvious. I have watched these teams play each other so many times that there are certain realities that are self-evident.
Goaltending will be a factor, but not the difference. However, I give the edge here to Biron who is streaky and playing the best hockey of his career. The other edge Biron has is his demeanor. He is far more at ease with all this than MAF. All that being said, I have watched plenty of Flyers/Penguins games and I can't remember goaltending being a factor for the most part.
These teams are each capable of dominating the other. That is something to look to. There will be some lopsided games on both sides.
In the end the series I see two key matchups.
#1 Special Teams. Most notable the Flyers Special Teams without Timomen. 5 on 5 this series will be VERY close.
#2 Malkin vs...wait for it.....Hartnell and Upshall. As great as Malkin is and has been he has yet to show he can remain focused when games get very physical. He showed a lack of maturity in the Rangers series and don't think the Flyers didn't notice.
#3 Fleury's Rebounds. This doesn't just extend to Fleury but to the Pens Defense as well. The Flyers ate up Huet on rebounds.
#4 Briere's speed. When Briere is moving at top speeds is when he makes his best plays. Danny is the only Skill match the Flyers may have in this series, but don't forget the Flyers have more players who scored 25 goals than anyone.
in Conclusion, The Penguins and Flyers are both playing MUCH better teams than they have to date, especially the Penguins...The Penguins bring many of the best qualities of Washington and Montreal together. The Flyers are nothing like the Sens or the Rangers.
In the end I think this series is a toss-up. Truly a toss-up. But since I have to make a pick I will say Philly in 7. Deep down I agree with Scoop Cooper...Either team could win in 7 or in 4.
Have fun and enjoy the game!
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