Well, the match up we've all been looking for is finally here. The best in the West against the defending champs. Roy has been huge for the Avs so far and will need to keep it up in the finals. The Devils were simply amazing, shutting down the Pens' big guns... was that Jagr's last game as a Pen? He looked awful in the series, going pointless with a -2.
This should be a great matchup all around. Up front, the edge has to go to the Devils. With Forsberg in the line up, the Avs just might have the edge but without him they will be hard pressed to match Jersey's depth. Sakic, Hejduk, Drury and co. have a lot of fire power but Jersey was the highest scoring team this year.
On D, both teams have been great. After a slow start, Bourque has stepped it up for the Avs and the combo of Blake, Bourque and Foote is formidable. The Devils counter with the likes of Stevens, Niedermeyer and Rafalski(who's having an amazing run).
And as usual, goaltending will be absolutely critical. This will be an awesome matchup. Both of these men have been here before and they can get the job done. Brodeur has been solid for the Devils but clearly Roy has been the best goaltender so far in these playoffs. If the Avs and Blues had swapped goalies, this would be an entirely different final. Both of these netminders should have an outstanding series but I have to put my money on Roy. He is simply the best playoff goalie out there.
With Forsberg out, its hard to go against the Devils. They are truly a complete team and have no weaknesses. They can skate with the Avs, win the battles in the corners and along the boards, dump and chase... you name it. But at this stage you can pretty much forget about matchups and stats. These are two evenly matched teams and its all about the intangibles. The team that wants it more will win it. I'm looking for Sakic(who's had his best year and should win the Hart hands down) to show great leadership, Roy will once again play like only he can, the young guns like Drury, Hejduk and Tanguay will play beyond their years and Bourque, who deserves to win more than anyone, will turn in a performance that will inspire them all. You heard it here first - the Colorado Avalanche will be drinking from Lord Stanley's Cup.
This should be a great matchup all around. Up front, the edge has to go to the Devils. With Forsberg in the line up, the Avs just might have the edge but without him they will be hard pressed to match Jersey's depth. Sakic, Hejduk, Drury and co. have a lot of fire power but Jersey was the highest scoring team this year.
On D, both teams have been great. After a slow start, Bourque has stepped it up for the Avs and the combo of Blake, Bourque and Foote is formidable. The Devils counter with the likes of Stevens, Niedermeyer and Rafalski(who's having an amazing run).
And as usual, goaltending will be absolutely critical. This will be an awesome matchup. Both of these men have been here before and they can get the job done. Brodeur has been solid for the Devils but clearly Roy has been the best goaltender so far in these playoffs. If the Avs and Blues had swapped goalies, this would be an entirely different final. Both of these netminders should have an outstanding series but I have to put my money on Roy. He is simply the best playoff goalie out there.
With Forsberg out, its hard to go against the Devils. They are truly a complete team and have no weaknesses. They can skate with the Avs, win the battles in the corners and along the boards, dump and chase... you name it. But at this stage you can pretty much forget about matchups and stats. These are two evenly matched teams and its all about the intangibles. The team that wants it more will win it. I'm looking for Sakic(who's had his best year and should win the Hart hands down) to show great leadership, Roy will once again play like only he can, the young guns like Drury, Hejduk and Tanguay will play beyond their years and Bourque, who deserves to win more than anyone, will turn in a performance that will inspire them all. You heard it here first - the Colorado Avalanche will be drinking from Lord Stanley's Cup.