Game One of the Hudson Hate-Fest starts in 15 minutes. Tom Guilitti’s Fire and Ice blog has some great commentary, including a stream of reader comments. Tom wants predictions, and I can’t resist being an armchair broadcaster, coach and screaming fan:
Brodeur is on top of his game. Between the spin-o-rama saves and having great reads on the inbound puck, Marty is so far into the zone he can’t yell at the defense. If the offense gives him some time to relax and breathe, he’s in control.
Elias comes to play in April. Maybe it’s the birthday thing, maybe it’s just that every game is the pressure cooker situation he seems to thrive in (how else does he lead the team in game winning goals and shootout goals?). He was quiet during the regular series set with the Rangers, but I remember what he did in 2006 when his first-round performance had him in the playoff scoring leaders after the Devils were bounced.
Zubrus + Vish >> Jagr + Gomez. Gomez plays like he’s already scheduling his tee times in April; he’s the anti-Elias. Everyone is hyped about Jagr coming on strong late in the year, but watch his shifts: they aren’t the end to end, skate till you puke then change shifts that win playoff games. I’ll take Zubrus and Vish along the boards. And for Stan Fischler’s comments about Gomez knowing the Devils’ weaknesses, he’s right: it was Scott Gomez in the playoffs. I’m eager to see how all of those miles on the post-game bike rides play out in these games.
Langenbrunner time. Jamie has been quiet lately on the ice. What matters more is what happens in the locker room, on the bench, before the game, and everything else that establishes a winning context.
This is going to be a grind it out, long series. My predictions: it goes at least 5 games, probably 6. Rangers win one in the Rock, but the Devils humble the Rangers at least once and depose King Henrik. With all of the talk of playoff experience, doesn’t anyone remember Lundqvist’s first playoff experience against the Devils?
Tags: elias, gomez, langenbrunner, Lundqvist, vishnevski, zubrus
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