 | excelsior30 (8)
05/04/2004 |  They have tough tests to face. Since they have novice goaltending despite the addition of Tommy Salo and they are in a scoring slump(since they are haveing many problems with injuries), they are likely to be downed in the conference quarters, but they may wake up since they are great in protecting their home. update- They had home field advantage that time against Dallas, now they will lose that advantage and they will face a Sharks team that is very balanced and fast. Nabby is their toughest test for the top scorers on this team. Expect a lot of boos when Selanne returns to the Shark Tank. update 5/4: They should not have focused on making history in the beginning of the round! Despite scaring the Sharks, they could not rebound when facing elimination four straight times. Rob Blake would have helped them, but that was the difference maker in the series as he was injured. Just like the Red Wings, there will be lots of changes. We may say g'bye to Forseberg soon if there is no season next year...
(2 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | irishgit (135)
04/22/2004 |  Too much talent, not enough focus. They should have run away with their division and their conference, but they are struggling to fight off the equally clumsy Canucks. Since the Bertuzzi/Moore incident they have looked flat and disinterested. A first round exit is distinctly possible unless they find some courage somewhere. Goaltending and defense are problems, particularly goaltending, which is never a good thing in the playoffs. UPDATE: Season closing swoon allowed Canucks to break their hold on the division title. I think they are suffering from too many captains in the dressing room, and a coach who is far too much of a players coach. These are not the Avalanche of year's past, and I would not be surprised to see them fold up against Dallas. Their defense looks shakier with every outing, and Aebischer's problem in goal is not inexperience, its lack of talent. Having Salo as a back up goalie is like having John Dillinger working as a bank guard. UPDATE: Disposed of an utterly listless Dallas team who looked disinterested in the whole process. The Star's dismal performance makes it impossible to tell whether the Avalanche have found their game. For their sake, they had better hope they have. The gunners and muckers on the Sharks don't look like they're letting up. I see this team falling in the second round.
(4 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | PzKpfw VI E (26)
04/10/2004 |  Colorado is on a slump, now everyone doubts them? Come on, when Tanguay comes back into the line-up, they well have two of the best lines in the league along with one of the best third and forth lines. Forsberg-Tanguay-Hejduk, Sakic-Kariya-Selanne (Barnaby), with Gratton-Konowalchuk-Barnaby (Selanne). Plus, they still have Nikolishin, Hinote, Haul, Worrel, and Cummins to make a forth line. Is defense really a problem? Colorado has a solid 6 and 7 man rotation. Blake-Vaananen, Foote-Skrastins, Liles-Boughner with Sauer has the 7 man. If you ask me, Colorado is a pretty solid team. Plus, the majority of their players are experienced and have been to the playoffs before. My prediction is that the team will shine when it comes to the playoffs, like they usually do.
People also claim that Aebischer is too young and inexperienced to be a playoff champ. Well isn't that basically the story around the league? Legace, Esche, Raycroft, Nabokov, Hedberg/Coltier, Biron, Vokunn, Dipertro, Kiprusoff and Colkin. Isn't having a young, inexperienced goalie basically the story around a lot of the NHL? Forsberg is the best player in the league, Sakic is just as talented. Their first line was one of the premiere lines in the league last year and their second should shine in the playoffs. I have a good feeling about Colorados chances this year. I think I well pull an Irishgit, Update: Colorado kicks ass! With the addition of Tanguay and the new and improved great play from Forsberg (compared to his last few games in the regular season), Colorado is a team to be reckoned with. I told you all, Colorado's poor performance late in the year would not carry over to the playoffs. Either Dallas is playing like crap or Colorado is one of the most dominate teams in the league, I think it is a little of both.
(4 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
