Hockey games in the playoffs are a lot different than in the regular season. Playoff hockey is all about energy. Some players have what it takes to play well in the playoffs and some players just don’t. I love playoff hockey because the crowds are always so much better. They feed of the physicality and emotion that players bring on every shift, every night. Here’s a quick list of attributes that teams need to have in order to be a Stanley Cup contender in my mind (not in order of importance).
- Coaching. In a 7-game series, smart coaches will have a strategy on how to attack and defend the other team. Sometimes it involves match-ups and sometimes the plan is more team oriented. For instance how a team is going to attack another team’s fore-check or clear their own zone. Experience in the playoffs for coaches is important but not critical.
- Two standout defensemen. It’s important that a team has two defensemen that can consistently log somewhere around 25 minutes of ice time a night. You need to have two guys that can play lockdown defense in critical situations. The playoffs are all about critical situations late in games.
- Special teams. In the regular season, special teams isn’t as crucial but in the playoffs, where both teams are going to typically bring the same level of energy on even-strength play, special teams is a big part of winning playoff games. Teams need to be able to take advantage of powerplays and shut down opponents when they’re on the penalty kill. The team that wins the special teams battle typically wins the series.
- Goaltending. There are going to be moments in every game when teams are going to need their goaltender to make big saves. That’s just a fact. The teams that win in the playoffs usually get those saves and the teams that lose, usually don’t.
With that said, here’s who I’m going to keep my eye on as the playoffs get under way.
Upset Alert: Detroit Red Wings. I love this team. In fact I think this team has the best group of forwards and defenseman in the league. The problem is goaltending. Chris Osgood is horrible. His save percentage and goals against average in the regular season was 45th and 41st in the NHL. Of goaltenders that have played in at least 25 games this year only six have a worse goals against average and only two have a worse save percentage. This is for a goalie who plays for the Detroit Red Wings, a team that is defensively sound, and allowed the second fewest shots on goal in the regular season. I just don’t see how the Red Wings can go far in the playoffs with Chris Osgood.
Upset Alert: Washington Capitals. It’s tough to feel good about a team that has almost no playoff experience, a weak starting goaltender and a below average penalty killing unit. This team won in the regular season because Ovechkin willed his team to victory and they have a good collection of offensive minded players. They would consistently outscore teams, not outplay teams. But the playoffs are more physical and I wonder if the Capitals will be able to handle that style of play.
Don’t Count Them Out: Columbus Blue Jackets. I picked Detroit to win this series but I think it’s going to be closer than people think. The only reason I guess I didn’t pick them was their special teams. I’m worried about a team that can’t score on the powerplay in the playoffs. Steve Mason will give them a chance. I loved the Kristian Huselius and Mike Commodore signings in the previous summer. Umberger had a terrific year and is a good playoff performer. Fedor Tyutin is an under rated defenseman who has size and a decent scoring touch. Rick Nash is going to get his goals. I just have a feeling about this team.
Don’t Count Them Out: Carolina Hurricanes. Their special teams are not great. I also think Cam Ward is grossly over rated. But they’re a fast team and they can really lay on the pressure. They win as a team and Eric Staal is a legitimate superstar. One thing a lot of people miss when they talk about the Hurricanes is the fact that their defense is exceptionally good at getting the puck out of their end. Collectively, they are not the most physical unit but their offensive contributions make them a very under rated group. They could make some noise if they get past the Devils in the first round.
East Conference Winner: New Jersey Devils. I hate having to pick the Devils, but they’re the best team from top to bottom. This team is the best team Lamoriello has produced in the past three years. It’s filled with clutch playoff performers, strong leaders, and arguably the best playoff goaltender of all time. I’m a little worried about their special teams and the durability of some of their smaller offensive forwards, but this is the team to beat in the East. Their defensemen are huge and as a group allowed the forth fewest goals in the league during regular season play even with Brodeur out for 51 games. Something else to consider: New Jersey has an 84.1 winning percentage when scoring the first goal. That’s the best percentage in the NHL.
Western Conference Winner: San Jose Sharks. I think it’s time for the Sharks to make some noise in the playoffs. They’re going to be the most desperate team in the West. I just hope they can turn it on after cruising through the regular season. Speaking of regular season, the Sharks had the third best powerplay and the fifth best penalty killing unit. If they keep that up in the playoffs, they’ll be in a good position to make it to the finals. A lot depends on the play of Evgeni Nabokov. He can be hot and cold in the playoffs. The Sharks have a good defensive unit; they score a lot of points but they aren’t a shut down unit like the Devils.
Stanley Cup Winner: New Jersey Devils. Defense wins championships. I can just see some obscure players on New Jersey having big playoffs. Dainius Zubrus and Brian Rolston add a lot of depth to an impressive group of forwards. They’re just built to go far in the playoffs. The Devils seem to have just the right mix of size, skill, team chemistry, and dependable goaltending that championship teams are made off.