Post by Toronto Maple Leafs on Jul 18, 2012 20:20:42 GMT -5
vs. 
Forwards:
top line of Malkin (15), Zach Parise (13) and Wayne Simmonds (13) has combined for 41pts in the post-season and 15 goals. They are scoring at a 1g per game pace. They are also a collective +20. top line of Brodziak (18), Semin (10) and Backes (10) has a combined 38pts, but have accounted for 17goals and are a collective +29.Factoring -
has spread out their production and all three players are an equal threat. focuses on Brodziak carrying the club up front, and as long as he's on the ice, the game is in their favor.Edge -
for sheer wealth-spread.Defence:
Mike Green (13) and Josh Gorges (12) play an average of over 23 minutes per game and are a collective +14. Marc-Andre Gragnani (17) and Tyler Cuma (12) average over 26 and 24 minutes respectively, and are a combined +17.Factoring: - Outside of the top two,
is seeing point totals all over the place, and a few blow-out wins have significantly slanted their plus-minus stats. sees determination down the board, but their plus-minus starts hitting a few negatives. That said, the few negatives are coming from players who are still averaging near or above 20 minutes of game action with little to no point totals who are there as shut down defencemen.Edge -
while it can be attributed to a few blow-out wins, the fact is this team is completely sound and able to produce those blow-out wins because of their defensive confidence.Goaltenders:
Neither team's back-up has seen game action, so only the primary goaltenders will be evaluated.
Tomas Vokoun is playing the playoff of his career. With just under a 2.00GAA, and a 0.919 SV% with 1 shutout, he has been absolutely stellar, but to suggest he has stolen games may be a bit of a bias. He's also appeared in two less games than Price, so he may be more rested heading into this series. Cary Price is a beast. A 2.28GAA is nothing to scoff at, along with 1 shutout and a near equal 0.915SV% is impressive, and considering he managed to hang onto those numbers while battling the Ducks is in itself an accomplishment. That said, he's had to battle through and through, and the true battle is only about to begin.Edge - Even. Price is amazing and has arguably carried
this far, but Vokoun is dominating in goal with a confident defence core in front of him. Either player can come out the hero or the villain in this story, for both their opposition and their own fans.Edge of the Series -
.Prediction:
in six.
