Ann 22008 NHL Playoffs - Round 2: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Rangers Game 1 Preview
April 25th 2008 20:11
So here's how this one looks.
On one side, there's the Penguins, a young insanely talented team whose best years are yet to come. They are led by Sydney Crosby, 1st pick overall in the 2005 draft, the next Wayne Gretzky. His right-hand man Evgeni Malkin (2nd pick overall in 2004) had a huge season collecting 102 points, picking up his play when Crosby was injured. Alongside those two guys are sniper Marian Hossa (acquired at the trade deadline), veteran Petr Sykora, and hockey-bred nineteen-year-old Jordan Staal from the Staal family. Last but not least, they also have Marc-André Fleury (1st pick in 2003) between the pipes. The young goalie sports a 1.26 goals-against-average and a save percentage of .955 (that's 95,5%) since the beginning of the playoffs.
On the other side, there's the Rangers, a team filled with battle-hardened veterans. Led by Jaromir Jagr (winner of 2 Stanley Cups), the Broadway Blueshirts' offense is well-organized and keeps things simple. Supporting Jagr are players such as Martin Straka, Scott Gomez and Chris Drury who are all offensive threats. Also, let's not forget the infamous Sean Avery who made the Devils' goalie, Martin Brodeur, lose his focus and his cool in the previous round. Between the pipes, the Rangers have a solid goaltender in Henrik Lundqvist who sports a 2.35 goals-against-average and a save percentage of .917.
This series will be won by the team whose players can all stay focused and organized, from the goalie to the forwards. I have a feeling that Sean Avery won't be as bothersome as he was against Devils, especially once he gets crushed by Penguins enforcer/tough guy Georges Laraque.
On one side, there's the Penguins, a young insanely talented team whose best years are yet to come. They are led by Sydney Crosby, 1st pick overall in the 2005 draft, the next Wayne Gretzky. His right-hand man Evgeni Malkin (2nd pick overall in 2004) had a huge season collecting 102 points, picking up his play when Crosby was injured. Alongside those two guys are sniper Marian Hossa (acquired at the trade deadline), veteran Petr Sykora, and hockey-bred nineteen-year-old Jordan Staal from the Staal family. Last but not least, they also have Marc-André Fleury (1st pick in 2003) between the pipes. The young goalie sports a 1.26 goals-against-average and a save percentage of .955 (that's 95,5%) since the beginning of the playoffs.
On the other side, there's the Rangers, a team filled with battle-hardened veterans. Led by Jaromir Jagr (winner of 2 Stanley Cups), the Broadway Blueshirts' offense is well-organized and keeps things simple. Supporting Jagr are players such as Martin Straka, Scott Gomez and Chris Drury who are all offensive threats. Also, let's not forget the infamous Sean Avery who made the Devils' goalie, Martin Brodeur, lose his focus and his cool in the previous round. Between the pipes, the Rangers have a solid goaltender in Henrik Lundqvist who sports a 2.35 goals-against-average and a save percentage of .917.
This series will be won by the team whose players can all stay focused and organized, from the goalie to the forwards. I have a feeling that Sean Avery won't be as bothersome as he was against Devils, especially once he gets crushed by Penguins enforcer/tough guy Georges Laraque.
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Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish