There can be only one.
Yes! Another bad movie quote! I can't be stopped!
I think its' hard to lean one way or the other with these two teams. Both have great offence, great defence, great special teams, outstanding goaltending....and amazing playoff beards.
I'm leaning towards the Carolina Hurricanes. Two major reasons why. The long layoff. It's been 8 days since the Oilers played a hockey game. Over a week. This more than anything is going to kill this team's chances. Getting them to New York to adjust and practice in the Eastern Time Zone was a great move, but I still think the lack of action is going to be an issue for them.
The second reason, is Dwayne Roloson. I don't think he has faced an offence like the Hurricanes yet. The Oilers have been riding him all playoffs long, and he has been out standing. But take a look at what the Hurricanes have done. They have beaten three very good goaltenders in Cristobal Huet, Martin Brodeur, and Ryan Miller. Let's be honest...they embarrassed Brodeur, who is potentially the greatest goaltender the sport has ever seen. I think this series is going to be Roloson's wake up call.
That being said, I see the Oilers losing the first two, before getting it in gear, but by then it will be too late. This series won't be a short one, and by no means will it be a dominant one by the Hurricanes, but I see them taking the series. Playoff Beard Prediction: Carolina Hurricanes in 6.
I'd also like to comment on the playoff beards. Both teams are furry as hell. Did anyone else notice that GM's Kevin Lowe, and Jim Rutherford made deadline deals that actually improved their depth at playoff beard? Carolina's Mark Recchi, and Doug Weight and Edmonton's Dwayne Roloson, and Sergei Samsonov. Hell, if you got rid of Samsonov's stick and through him a spear he would look like and Ewok!
As promised, I reviewed the epic Youngblood for all you hockey fanatics out there! Please click here to enjoy the review!
Stanley Cup Finals Game 1
Edmonton at Carolina 8:00 PM
Enjoy the game!
Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh
Comments
Yes, Bosh! Finally, someone else with the balls to say what I've been thinking before the Eastern Conference finals were even over with. The Carolina Hurricanes are going to win the Stanley Cup and it will NOT go seven games. I read where Bill "Playoff Chest" Clement picked the Canes in 7, I know Engblom picked the Oilers, I have a friend who thinks I'm overlooking the Oilers, and I know Jeff here picked the Oilers.
Poppycock, I say! How many times in the past ten years have we seen one surprise team in the finals and how many times have they actually won the cup? Carolina can answer this question themselves, we don't even need to ask Calgary or Anaheim, or Florida or Washington. In the finals the reality is that the best team wins.
This year Carolina is that team. I like them in FIVE, dammit. That's right, FIVE.
(Someone please look into getting me a nice fork in case I have to eat my words. It's the least you could do...)
Posted by: Playoff Moustache | June 5, 2006 12:08 PM
The Hurricanes are good. I don't think anyone realizes how good they are yet.
I think Jeff picked the Oilers cuz they beat his boys the Wings....so the Oilers winning the cup will take the sting out of a first round playoff exit. Jeff?
bosh
Posted by: Captbosh | June 5, 2006 02:19 PM
Maybe just a little.
You bring up a good point, Bosh, in that Carolina has been making fools of good goalies. However, I disagree with the "they embarrassed Brodeur" comment.
Nobody embarassess Brodeur. Brodeur embarasses Brodeur.
The game I think you're talking about (Marty got chased out of the net) I saw three or for goals that were pretty flukey. Heel of his stick, off his skate, someone elses skate...they weren't even shots so much as centering passes gone wrong (or in Carolina's case, right.)
Posted by: jeff | June 5, 2006 05:30 PM
Post Game Analysis:
I have to say I was suprised by that game. Not because I expected the Oilers to win, I actually figured they'd lose the first one. What suprised me was how they lost. They got an early 3 goal lead, which was unexpected considering the sluggish start we all thought was coming. Also, was it just me or were the refs pretty inconsistant throughout the game? It seemed they called EVERYTHING in the first period, but later they let a lot of things slide.
Major props to Carolina for not giving up, and scoring four--count 'em, FOUR--unanswered goals in 20 minutes of play. Brind'Amore seemed to always be in the right place at the right time. Ward made saves that I didn't even think possible--that last flurry was had me standing with my jaw at my feet.
Still, after such a hard-fought game, I thought the game-winner was pretty anit-climatic. As a player, I'll take 'em as they come...but as a spectator, that kinda sucked, ay?
Still, the biggest news from this game is probably that Rolly the Goalie is down for the count with what TSN.ca describes as a "right knee injury." That's rough, considering he was such a huge factor in the Oilers getting to the Finals. And it has HUGE implications for the Oiler's chances of winning this series. I'll be the suicide rate in Alberta doubled tonight, too.
There's a lot riding on the relatively untested gloves and leg pads of Ty Conklin right about now. The flub he made to allow Brind'Amore to score was equally his fault as it was Smyth's--and he came into that game without so much as a minute of playing time this playoff--so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt on that. It remains to be seen whether or not he'll shake off the rust and become a playoff caliber goaltender or if he'll try to establish a *Legace* of his own.
Posted by: jeff | June 5, 2006 11:28 PM