It is remarkably simple, yet so crucial in hockey. The seemingly basic practice of going to the front of the net, has been the determining factor in the 3 games between the Habs and the Flyers. The only major advantage the Canadiens have over Philadelphia is their team speed. The Flyers are a stronger team with more individual skill, when impact players like Chris Pronger and Mike Richards are compared to everyone else in the series. Mike Cammalleri has unexpectedly become a star in the playoffs, as he now leads the league in scoring, with 13 goals. The Toronto native has become the 4th highest goal scorer in a single postseason, for the Canadiens. In the first two games of the best of seven series, Philadelphia did a decent job of creating a screen in front of Jaroslav Halak. There is only one way Montreal can counter this strategy. The Habs need to find a way to pressure the point men with the puck, before a shot is taken. That negates the traffic in front of the goalie. Conversely, on offense, the Canadiens need to take advantage of their superior speed so that they can get in front of Michael Leighton, to block his sightlines, which usually leads to scoring opportunities and goals. On Thursday night, the Habs did just that, and that was one of the most important factors in their crucial 5-1 victory. The Flyers now lead the best of 7 series by two games to one.
As for the Hawks and Sharks, Chicago’s overall team speed has been the story, in their 2-0 series lead, as the teams get ready for games 3 and 4 in the United Center. San Jose’s defense has had trouble coping with the aggressive Blackhawks forcheck. The Sharks have also had difficulty with Hawks power forward Dustin Byfuglien. He can not be stopped from going to the front of the net. If he is away from the net, Byfuglien has an outstanding shot. For the Sharks, it seems to be a pick your poison type of scenario. The Blackhawks also have a decisive advantage in terms of defense. Almost all of the Chicago blue liners, are very good skaters. The only one who is not a superior skater, is Brent Sopel, who is a very smart, stay at home defenseman. Dan Boyle is by far, the best of the Sharks defenders. Compared to Boyle, there is quite a drop-off with the rest of San Jose’s defense. Chicago has two of the very best in the NHL, in Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. The Blackhawks are one of the premier, if not the top skating team in the league. The Hawks were ridiculed by the “experts,” for not making a trade for a goalkeeper at the deadline. Antti Niemmi has made the critics look pretty stupid so far. He has a save percentage of .918, and a goals against average of 2.41, prior to game 3, Friday in Chicago. The Sharks will have to find a way to slow down the Windy City wunderkinds, if they hope to turn this series around.