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For those of you new to the site, the concept of the Ek Factors is just my way of trying to weigh the factors that can't really be seen on paper. (X Factors) These factors are often forgotten about when people make their picks, but they tend to play a major role in the outcome. They are "all that is right" with our great sport, and enable huge upsets like the Miracle on Ice.
They are of course only opinion, please no wagering...
THE EK FACTORS FOR THE "CAN'T MISS PUCK" OF THE NIGHT: Capital @ Senators
1. Last Game Carry-Over:
Ottawa 1, Caps +2
The Sens lost tot the Lightning in OT, but the story here is the Caps who didn't show up and were destroyed in Buffalo 5-0, a loss that had Boudreau practicing the team harder than ever.
2. Revenge Factor:
Senators +3
The Caps OWNED the Sens last year, and that was the GOOD Sens team. The early Sens who were beating everyone lost all 4 games in this battle of the two Nation's capitals. The Sens gave up an unbelievable 22 goals to the Caps in those 4 games. That's over 5 goals per game!
3. Style Versus Opponent:
Caps +3, Senators +1
4. Faith in Goaltending:
Sens +3, Caps 0
Auld's well that ends well...In his six games Auld has been impressive...A .931 Sv% and a 2.15 GAA....Neither Washington goalie has been able to get their SV% even close to .900
5. Experience:
Sens +3, Caps +1
The Senators are a rare team whose average age is almost 30 at 29.8.
6. Confidence vs. Frustration
Sens +1, Caps, 0
7. Aggressiveness:
Sens 0, Caps 0
8. Desperation Factor:
Sens +1, Caps +2
9. Special Teams
Sens +2, Caps 0
Ottawa has the 3rd ranked PP in the NHL
10. Below, Meeting, or Beyond Expectations this Season (zero is meeting)
Sens 0, Caps -1
11. Let Down/ Fatigue Factor
Non Factor
12. Key Injuries
None
13. Fan Factor
Senators +1
Totals
Caps 7
Senators 16
My Prediction:
Ottawa 4
Washington 3 (OT)
THE EK FACTORS FOR THE "CAN'T MISS PUCK" OF THE NIGHT: Wild @ Sharks
1. Last Game Carry-Over:
Both teams are coming off of strong road wins
2. Revenge Factor:
Wild +3
The Sharks swept the Minnesota Wild and Nabokov has been a Wild killer with a 2.16 GAA in 21 games against Minny....Backstrom has never beaten the Sharks in 9 attempts 0-5-4
3. Style Versus Opponent:
Sharks +3, Wild +2
The Sharks attack and the Wild counter equally as well...The issue is can the Wild create the needed offense against the Sharks by playing their normal counter attack.
4. Faith in Goaltending:
Sharks +3, Wild +3
Both teams goalies are playing well, and SJ's backup goalie, long-time friend of hockeybuzz.com and all around great guy, has two shutouts in his only two performances..
5. Experience:
Sharks+3, Wild +2
6. Confidence vs. Frustration
Sharks +3, Wild +3
7. Aggressiveness:
Sharks +4, Wild +4
These are the #1 and #2 most penalized teams in the NHL
8. Desperation Factor:
Wild +2...As well as the Wild are playing...it is important for the Wild to win a big game against a great team
9. Special Teams
Sharks +1, Wild +3
The Wild has the #1 Ranked Penalty Killing team and #7th Power Play...The Sharks are 10th and 16th.
10. Below, Meeting, or Beyond Expectations this Season (zero is meeting)
Sharks +2, Wild +4
11. Let Down/ Fatigue Factor
Non Factor
12. Key Injuries
Wild -4.
Nolan, Gaborik, and Foster are out.
13. Fan Factor
Sharks +3
Totals
Wild 22
Sharks 19
My Prediction:
Wild 2
San Jose 1
To date this season, the Ek Factors are 0-1 and my predictions are 1-0
I will be back later with the other game of the night Ek Factors as two top teams meet late in the West as the Wild visit San Jose.
Trade Rumours...
Again, word that the Rangers and Canucks are working on a deal...It is quite possible, I am also told, that this deal could be directly tied to the Rangers signing Mats Sundin...
According to one VERY connected source: "I wouldn't be shocked at any moment to hear a Rangers trade and Sundin signing. It could happen at any moment now."
They are of course only opinion, please no wagering...
THE EK FACTORS FOR THE "CAN'T MISS PUCK" OF THE NIGHT: Capital @ Senators
1. Last Game Carry-Over:
Ottawa 1, Caps +2
The Sens lost tot the Lightning in OT, but the story here is the Caps who didn't show up and were destroyed in Buffalo 5-0, a loss that had Boudreau practicing the team harder than ever.
2. Revenge Factor:
Senators +3
The Caps OWNED the Sens last year, and that was the GOOD Sens team. The early Sens who were beating everyone lost all 4 games in this battle of the two Nation's capitals. The Sens gave up an unbelievable 22 goals to the Caps in those 4 games. That's over 5 goals per game!
3. Style Versus Opponent:
Caps +3, Senators +1
4. Faith in Goaltending:
Sens +3, Caps 0
Auld's well that ends well...In his six games Auld has been impressive...A .931 Sv% and a 2.15 GAA....Neither Washington goalie has been able to get their SV% even close to .900
5. Experience:
Sens +3, Caps +1
The Senators are a rare team whose average age is almost 30 at 29.8.
6. Confidence vs. Frustration
Sens +1, Caps, 0
7. Aggressiveness:
Sens 0, Caps 0
8. Desperation Factor:
Sens +1, Caps +2
9. Special Teams
Sens +2, Caps 0
Ottawa has the 3rd ranked PP in the NHL
10. Below, Meeting, or Beyond Expectations this Season (zero is meeting)
Sens 0, Caps -1
11. Let Down/ Fatigue Factor
Non Factor
12. Key Injuries
None
13. Fan Factor
Senators +1
Totals
Caps 7
Senators 16
My Prediction:
Ottawa 4
Washington 3 (OT)
THE EK FACTORS FOR THE "CAN'T MISS PUCK" OF THE NIGHT: Wild @ Sharks
1. Last Game Carry-Over:
Both teams are coming off of strong road wins
2. Revenge Factor:
Wild +3
The Sharks swept the Minnesota Wild and Nabokov has been a Wild killer with a 2.16 GAA in 21 games against Minny....Backstrom has never beaten the Sharks in 9 attempts 0-5-4
3. Style Versus Opponent:
Sharks +3, Wild +2
The Sharks attack and the Wild counter equally as well...The issue is can the Wild create the needed offense against the Sharks by playing their normal counter attack.
4. Faith in Goaltending:
Sharks +3, Wild +3
Both teams goalies are playing well, and SJ's backup goalie, long-time friend of hockeybuzz.com and all around great guy, has two shutouts in his only two performances..
5. Experience:
Sharks+3, Wild +2
6. Confidence vs. Frustration
Sharks +3, Wild +3
7. Aggressiveness:
Sharks +4, Wild +4
These are the #1 and #2 most penalized teams in the NHL
8. Desperation Factor:
Wild +2...As well as the Wild are playing...it is important for the Wild to win a big game against a great team
9. Special Teams
Sharks +1, Wild +3
The Wild has the #1 Ranked Penalty Killing team and #7th Power Play...The Sharks are 10th and 16th.
10. Below, Meeting, or Beyond Expectations this Season (zero is meeting)
Sharks +2, Wild +4
11. Let Down/ Fatigue Factor
Non Factor
12. Key Injuries
Wild -4.
Nolan, Gaborik, and Foster are out.
13. Fan Factor
Sharks +3
Totals
Wild 22
Sharks 19
My Prediction:
Wild 2
San Jose 1
To date this season, the Ek Factors are 0-1 and my predictions are 1-0
I will be back later with the other game of the night Ek Factors as two top teams meet late in the West as the Wild visit San Jose.
Trade Rumours...
Again, word that the Rangers and Canucks are working on a deal...It is quite possible, I am also told, that this deal could be directly tied to the Rangers signing Mats Sundin...
According to one VERY connected source: "I wouldn't be shocked at any moment to hear a Rangers trade and Sundin signing. It could happen at any moment now."
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