Defensively, Brad Ference and Dennis Seidenberg led the way. Ference was their best defenseman with 4 points (1 G, 3 A), a plus 6 and 11 blocked shots. Seidenberg led the team with 27:50 minutes per game, threw his body around (21 hits) and had 3 points (1 G, 2 A) on 19 shots. Johnny Boychuk and Adam McQuaid round out the defense for the Bruins.
Goaltending really isn’t a problem when you have Tim Thomas between the pipes. He can be a game-stealer and make the spectacular save when he needs to. Three wins in overtime can attest to that.
The Boston power play was the worst in the first round failing to score on 21 chances. History was made when Boston became the only team to win a series without scoring a power play goal. I’m not sure “History will be made”* a second time. Obviously this needs to change in round 2.
*I’m not a fan of the “History will be made” commercials from the NHL and Versus. History is made when you lose as well. History is made all the time!
The Boston penalty kill in the first round was at 77.7%(11th) compared to 82.6% (16th) in the regular season so its something that might need to be adjusted a little. Small sample sizes in the playoffs make it hard to judge anything off only seven games.
Philadelphia also had to go seven games to win their first round series against Buffalo. Claude Giroux(9 points(1 G, 8 A)), Danny Briere(6 G, 1 A), James van Riemsdyk(4 G) and Ville Leino (3 G, 1 A) were all big for Philly in round 1. Look at it this way, Mike Richards and Kris Versteeg didn’t score a goal and the Flyers still tied for the playoff lead with 22 goals in 7 games. This was also with Chris Pronger only playing the final 2 games coming back from a broken hand that caused him to miss 24 games including 5 in the first round. Jeff Carter missed 3 of the seven games as well.
Defensively, Andrej Meszaros (1 G, 4 A) and Kimmo Timonen (1 G, 3 A, +9) were their best defensemen while Braydon Coburn (1 G, 1 A, +6) and Matt Carle(4 A) chipped in and all four of them were big in blocking shots. Expect Pronger to play a much bigger part in this series defensively and on the power play.
Goaltending was kind of an adventure for the Flyers but Brian Boucher (4 W, 2.10 GAA, .934 SV%) came out the hero with a great series after coming in for Sergei Bobrovsky in game 2 and relieving Michael Leighton in game 6, getting the victory in each game. He started games 3-5 but gave up 3 goals on 11 shots in game 5 and was pulled. Flyers lost that game 4-3 in OT. Boucher started and won games 6 and 7 and here we are. He should be the starter for game 1.
The power play was pretty miserable for most of the series. Pronger made the difference on the power play. Without Prongs, the power play was 2 for 26 (ick!)! With him, they went 3 for 9! This will be big in round 2!
The penalty kill was at 77.4%(12th) in the first round which is down from the 82.7%(15th). The PK unit will get a boost from Prongs as well.
Tale of the Tape on the Left-Handed Stick:
Goaltending – Boston
Defense – Philadelphia
Offense – Philadelphia
Power Play – Philadelphia
Penalty Kill – Philadephia
Coaching – Philadelphia – Laviolette has punched the right buttons and gotten this team to play at the right times.
Will Boston big names step up in round 2? Will they score a power play goal? Will they get Redemption? Will the Flyers keep up the scoring pace? Is Pronger back? Who’s in goal? Will he stay in goal?
I have to go with the team with Pronger. They have the offense, defense and their goaltending will be good enough to get them to the Conference Finals.
Flyers in 6!
DROP THE PUCK!!!
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Robb Dahlen
BRING THE CLUTTER!
