Ottawa Smack

John Giacoletti · Post by **John Giacoletti** » Wed May 03, 2006 4:08 pm

Chewy wrote:

These two teams represent the best that the new NHL rules have to offer. Both teams are extremely fast, high-energy, and have great passing skills (something sorely missing from the American/Canadian goon-style of play).

Excellent analysis of the effects of the new rule changes. The fundamentals of superior skating skills and accurate passing are right on as is speed, especially in the Lightning's case in getting to the dumped-in puck.

If the fundamentals are sound the wins will follow.

GM Feaster and Coach Tortarella admidt they overestimated Johnny Graham's ability to handle the first line goal tender position in a playoff contender team. Half-way through the season they realized that their defense was too slow. Ottawa spotlighted the team's weaknesses.

Our Canadian players - Marty St. Louis, Brad Richards, Vincent Lecavalier and Dan Boyle are top notich. We have to make adjustments but wholesale revamping isn't called for.

Watch out for the Devils!

chewy · Post by **chewy** » Thu May 04, 2006 2:30 pm

Thanks John! I'm surprised to see such a dedicated hockey fan in Florida

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One more factor in the upcoming Sabers/Ottawa series may be important. The Sabers is near the top of the NHL (top five easily) in penalty killing and power play scoring percentages. The Sabres also have an uncanny ability to bait opposing teams into taking a penalty. If Ottawa remains diciplined in their work, however, they shouldn't have any problems. They just can't let frustration get to them.

For those non-hockey fans out there I'm not harping on this series just because I'm a life-long Buffalo fan. It is because I sincerely believe one of these two teams is going to win the Stanley Cup this year. When the playoffs started if you asked me which 3 teams had the best chance at winning the Cup this year I would have said: Buffalo, Ottawa, and Detroit. The latter was recently eliminated.

chewy