Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview: #4 St. Louis Blues vs. #5 Los Angeles Kings

Get ready for a series in which both teams could seriously hurt each other (fingers crossed!).

The St. Louis Blues didn’t look like the same team that made things miserable for opponents for much of the year. But over the last few weeks, the Blues appear to have rounded into form. Thanks to the Blackhawks icing their AHL team in the regular season finals, cheating me out of a Sharks-Kings matchup, St. Louis will open at home for the second straight year.

The first thing that stands out for the Blues is their defense, which might be the deepest out of all the teams in the playoffs. Adding Jay Bouwmeester and Jordan Leopold has shored things up on the back end and made Brian Elliott look like an all-star again. Speaking of Elliott, he is the unquestioned top goalie going into the playoffs this year, and he’s going to have the microscope on him given how bad the Kings made him look last year.

On offense, the Blues are more dangerous than you might think. As much attention as their defense and Ken Hitchcock’s boring system get the credit, the forwards are deep and have plenty of skill. With Chris Stewart playing for a new deal and a healthy Andy McDonald, this team has a legitimate chance to make a run to the conference finals for the first time since 2001.

Oh hey, the Kings open the playoffs as the underdog again. Of course, that doesn’t bother them whatsoever. It’s not far-fetched for the Kings to steam-roll through the playoffs again. But in order for that to happen, Jonathan Quick needs to figure a few things out. He didn’t play during the most pointless lockout in sports history and had back surgery before the lockout came to an end, making him look pedestrian at times. But he’s been here before, and I have to think Quick will be ready to go.

Just like the Blues, the Kings are extremely deep at forward and on the blue line. I like the skill of the Kings more than the skill of the Blues in this series. Anze Kopitar is the most talented player in the series, and he’s flanked by playoff warriors Dustin Brown, Mike Richards and Jeff Carter. If the Kings can swarm the Blues with all four lines like they did last year, they’ll be smiling in the handshake line once again this year.

Plus, if we can see this again, that would be awesome. That’s what you get when you fight in your weight class, Roman Polak.

St. Louis will win if:They learned their lesson from one year ago. Last year’s series between these two teams wasn’t even close, and the Blues need to be as physical as they have been all year to unseat the defending champs. They got killed in that area last season and Brian Elliott was exposed as a mediocre goaltender. St. Louis needs to put that in their rear-view mirror to have any success this year.

Los Angeles will win if:
They can handle the pressure of being the hunted. This is basically the same team that won the Cup last year. But they know this year, the target is on their back and their chest. Teams are going to throw everything they have at the Kings, and it’s going to start with a team that can match their physicality.

Prediction:
Trainers, get your ice packs ready. These two teams are going to throw everything they have at each other, and a Cup favorite is going to be done after the first round. I’m actually very excited about this series because it’s going to be the closest thing to legalized assault we will see in the first round. Hitchcock and Blues’ captain David Backes will not allow his team to get run over like they did last year. In the end, I like the guy between the pipes for the Kings to be the difference maker.

Plus, I look forward to the humor coming from @theroyalhalf on Twitter. If you hate the Kings, you’re REALLY going to hate that guy.

Without question, this has been the hardest series for me to make my mind up on. If there was any way both teams could lose this series, I’d be cool with that. But someone has to win. Kings in 7.

–I am Ryan Thomas, and I approve this post. Follow me on Twitter @rthomas_22 so you can harass me for an opinion piece. Also, so you can tell me why it’s wrong to dislike Roman Polak. Keep in mind, I will ignore anything you try to tell me.

2011-12 NHL Season Preview: Columbus Blue Jackets

Columbus Blue Jackets

A Look Back at 2010-11
The Blue Jackets, coming off of a disappointing 2009-10 season, were looking to get back to the playoffs for the second time in their brief history. They still had many of the players that helped get the team to the playoffs in 2009, but they once again dealt with a lack of quality goaltending and production from anyone not named Rick Nash. The veterans on the team didn’t perform to their highest standard, the goaltending was suspect at best (although it was really good at times), and they weren’t helped out by the fact that they play in the hyper-competitive Western Conference. Could they compete in the East instead? Maybe. But the players that they had on last year’s squad could have put up a better fight throughout the year. The youngsters needed to be better and Steve Mason had a better year than his 09-10 season, but it was still not near good enough to compete in the West. Grade: D- (Poor on offense, poor on defense and poor in goal. I expected a better overall effort.)

A Look Ahead to 2011-12

Forwards

Jeff Carter gives the Blue Jackets the top center they haven't had to this point.

One of the biggest knocks on the Columbus franchise is their lack of offensive punch up the middle. In fact, only one Blue Jackets center has made an all-star team as a member of the Blue Jackets. Can you name him? Without looking, cheater… Well the team did plenty this offseason to finally give franchise winger Rick Nash the pivot that he’s needed for years. They sent Jake Voracek and draft picks to the Flyers for Jeff Carter. Carter led the Flyers in scoring last season, and though he’s more of a shoot-first pivot instead of a playmaker, Carter shoots a ton and Nash should be able to cash in on the rebounds of Carter’s shots. If Nash can deal with losing some of his chances to shoot the biscuit, this pairing could be lethal and a load for teams to deal with on a nightly basis. The team was hurt by the loss of Kristian Huselius due to an injury, and will hope 36-year old Vinny Prospal has something left in the tank to fill that spot. Prospal could have a nice season playing along side Nash and Carter, since he’s the playmaker of that trio. With so much of the focus going to the top line, the second line featuring RJ Umberger and Antoine Vermette should have a little more freedom to move around on the ice. Umberger had a nice year last year, and Vermette remains one of the team’s better playmakers. Those two will occupy the wing spots, although either can play center. So this brings up the question as to who is going to center the second line. Derick Brassard would be the top choice, but I think this is the year Ryan Johansen joins the team and fills that spot. Johansen has been a beast in junior the past two years and was Team Canada’s best forward at last year’s World Juniors. Give him a chance to play with Umberger and Vermette and let him get comfortable before giving him top minutes. Sammy Pahlsson, Matt Calvert, Jared Boll, Derek McKenzie and Derek Dorsett round out the bottom group of forwards. Calvert could surprise people this year, as he played very well late last season. This group is better with the additions of Carter and (possibly) Johansen. That’s a big step forward. Grade: B- (This assuming Johansen joins the team.)

Defense

James Wisniewski was brought in to be the team's defensive leader this offseason.

Another knock on the Jackets has been their lack of a top defender over the years. Rusty Klesla never became the franchise defenseman the team hoped he would, and he was dealt away last season. Enter James Wisniewski, who is coming off a solid campaign with Montreal and the Islanders. Wiz (what I’ll be calling him for the remainder of this preview) got top dollar from Columbus and he better produce the way he did last year. I can see Wiz producing at the same rate offensively, but his +/- will probably take a hit playing for the Blue Jackets. But he’s got the contract now, and he’s also had to hear a lot about how he isn’t worth that kind of money. But in order to get a top-flight defenseman, sometimes you have to overpay. He should have a nice little chip on his shoulder coming into this season. Fedor Tyutin will play second fiddle behind Wiz offensively, and he should hover around the 30-point mark for points. Radek Martinek was signed by the Jackets after spending his entire career with the Islanders. He’s never lit up the score sheet, but if healthy he could help the young Columbus defenseman learn their positions. Youngsters Grant Clitsome, Kris Russell and Marc Methot round out the defense, with former first-rounder John Moore waiting in the wings. Keep an eye on Clitsome, not for his funny last name, but for his play. He performed very well late last year and could take Tyutin’s spot on the opposite side of Wiz on the power play. What they have in offensive potential, they lack in physicality, something that could hurt the team against some of the West’s more physical squads. But this unit should be a little better this year. Grade: C

Steve Mason will need to be better if the Blue Jackets want to have any shot of making the playoffs.

Goaltending
Oh how the promising have fallen. Two years ago, Steve Mason was a revelation in Columbus, winning the Calder Trophy and powering the Jackets to their first playoff berth. He has since seen his GAA balloon to over 3.00 for the last two seasons and his SV% drop to .901. That, boys and girls, is not good. And for a team that has been known to struggle scoring and preventing shots, Mason has needed to be much better than that. But despite his stats last season, there were times where Mason looked nearly unbeatable for a few games in a row. Confidence has been an issue for Mason over the last two years, but the positive for Mason was that he showed flashes of brilliance at times last year. That’s better than the lack of quality play he showed in his sophomore campaign. Now that veteran Matheiu Garon isn’t with the team anymore to push Mason, he needs to bring it every night. He’s still young enough to rebound, but he could also use some help from his defense to prevent a barrage of shots getting fired at him, and his offense to score a few more goals. I think Mason will be better this year, at least to the point of getting his GAA under 3.00 (I’m thinking 2.70 would be a success for this year). Brought in to spell Mason this year is career minor leaguer Mark Dekanich, who comes over from the Nashville goaltending factory. Dekanich was stuck behind Pekka Rinne and Anders Lindback, and getting a fresh start in a place that he could play in could be just what the doctor ordered for Dekanich. Curtis Sanford was signed as a depth goalie, and will see time in the AHL this year. But there is no question that this team belongs to Mason, for now anyway. Grade: C (I love the Dekanich signing, but Mason needs to bring it all year long.)

Prediction
The Blue Jackets are heading in the right direction by grabbing Carter and Wiz. The addition of those two and possibly Johansen means they will improve on their 27th ranked offense from last year. But in the end, defense wins games and gets you in the playoffs in the West, and the Blue Jackets aren’t there yet unless Mason turns in a performance similar to his rookie season. They’ll compete nightly, and they’ll give the West’s best a tough game nightly, but I felt that Tomas Vokoun would have been a great signing for Columbus, but they showed great faith in Mason by not signing Vokoun. They better hope it pays off in the future, because it won’t this year. 5th in Central, 11th in West.

2011-12 NHL Season Preview: Philadelphia Flyers

Philadelphia Flyers

A Look Back at 2010-11
Coming off a surprise trip to the Stanley Cup Finals, the Flyers looked to get back to bring Philly the franchise’s third Cup. The offense was stellar, the defense held up reasonably well, despite not having Chris Pronger for long periods of time due to injury. Even the goaltending appeared to be headed in a new direction as young Sergei Bobrovsky performed at an All-Star level for the first part of the season. *Knock knock* Oh, hold on, someone’s at the door, I’ll be right back. Hello? IT’S THE PHILLY CURSE BITCH, AND I’M BACK AGAIN! Sure enough, the wheels fell off the Flyers net, Bobrovsky had trouble handling the long NHL season, Brian Boucher was inconsistent, and Mike Leighton was hurt most of the year. Because of that, they went from a lock as the East’s top seed to a two-seed. Not bad, but not where they should have been. Their goaltending roller coaster continued into the playoffs, as three goaltenders were used, and not because of injury. That’s bad. Real bad. Had it not been for some poor play by Buffalo, they shouldn’t have gone as far as they did. Boston wiped them out and barely broke a sweat. Oh what could have been… Final Grade: D

A Look Ahead to 2011-12

Brayden Schenn, Wayne Simmonds and Jakub Voracek, have some big shoes to fill in Philly.

Forwards

Heading into this offseason, I thought the Flyers were set at forward. Then, someone spiked GM Paul Holmgren’s drink one night and he dealt Mike Richards and Jeff Carter away during a “Hangover” style bender (at least that’s what I like to assume just for personal entertainment). I know they were looking to shed salary to sign a goalie, but that was borderline insanity. In all honesty, after stepping back and looking at the deals, they got maximum value in each, snagging Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier in the process. That’s a plus. The negative is that they’re much smaller and will have to rely on their speed. Think a better version of Montreal. But that skill is THICK with Danny Briere, Claude Giroux and Schenn likely to start the season at center. The wings also look much different with Jakub Voracek, and Wayne Simmonds joining Scott Hartnell and James van Riemsdyk, who is poised and ready to be a star in this league. Oh yeah, they signed some guy named Jagr too. Look, I know Jaromir Jagr used to be a top talent, and he even showed he still had something left in the 2010 Olympics. Can he do it in today’s league though? I’m skeptical, but I wouldn’t be shocked if Jagr as one of those turn-back-the-clock performances. Max Talbot comes over from Pittsburgh and joins Blair Betts, Andreas Nodl (another candidate to have a breakout year) and youngster Zac Rinaldo to provide some defense. They will miss Darroll Powe greatly, but these guys should still be fun to watch. Grade: B

Chris Pronger struggled with injuries last season. The Flyers need him to be healthy.

Defense
This area remains strong for the Flyers. They can still produce points and play with an edge. Chris Pronger absolutely has to stay healthy all year long. He’s still elite at his age, but his body can’t keep betraying him like this. Kimmo Timonen, Braydon Coburn, Matt Carle and Andrej Meszaros will play every night. Timonen continues to be one of my personal favorites on D. He isn’t flashy, big or nasty, he’s just steady every year. Andreas Lilja is a veteran that can play in the final spot, but my money is on youngster Erik Gustafsson. He’s been good in the AHL, and I feel that he’s earned a chance to play with the big club. This defense isn’t getting any younger, so give the kid a chance to play. Grade: B+ (Still deep, still nasty)

Goaltending
Normally, this is where Philly fans would start tying a rope to their ceiling fan like a noose. Those people have seen more negative things written about their goaltending than anyone should have to (even me, and I’m a Sharks fan that had to sit through Evgeni Nabokov’s inevitable croak in the playoffs every year for nine years). Don’t believe me? Let’s look at some of the names that have seen significant time in the Philly net since Ron Hextall’s first tenure ended: Tommy Soderstrom, Brian Boucher, Sean Burke (at the end of his career), Pete Peeters (ditto), Hextall (again), Jeff Hackett, Ray Emery, Michael Leighton, Robert Esche (good before the lockout caused him to have a meltdown), Martin Biron (actually, he was OK), Antero Niittymaki, Garth Snow, John Vanbiesbrouck, and the always entertaining Roman Cechmanek. Know how many of those guys led the Flyers to at least the East finals? Only Esche in 2004, the Leighton-Boucher combo in 2010, Boucher on his own in 2000, and Hextall in 1995 and 1997.

My friend Kevin will now wander into oncoming traffic while holding two torches after covering himself in jet fuel. Sorry bro, I couldn’t help myself.

Ilya Bryzgalov got his money, now he has to be the stable goalie the Flyers haven't had for years

Now for the good news. Ilya Bryzgalov has arrived. Sure, the Flyers foolishly dealt two money centers to get him (only one would have worked), but they got their goalie. He’s playoff tested with both Phoenix and Anaheim and brings a swagger and sense of humor that Philly fans will eat up. That said, he has had to be good every single night for the last four years in Phoenix for a team that never scored and for fans that no-showed to all the games. He needs to stay motivated to be successful. The best news for Breezy; the fans love their team, a human owner actually exists and loves his team, the guys in front of him can score a ton, and the is guaranteed not to see Detroit in the first round (this year at least, depending on what they do with the Wings once relocation happens). On top of their shiny new goalie, it gives Bobrovsky the chance to learn from a fellow Russian, play well enough when called upon and eventually get a starting job down the line. Similar to what Cory Schneider is doing in Vancouver. It looks good in a Philly net, for once. Grade: B+ (Despite his troubles in the last two playoffs, Bryzgalov is worth that money.)

Prediction
This isn’t the re-incarnation of the Broad Street Bullies. This team still has some of that toughness that Philly is known for, but this team will rely more on skill than anything. The young talent will go a long way in determining how well this team does, and for that, I can’t give them the division’s top spot. 2^nd in Atlantic, 4^th in East.