Anaheim Mighty Ducks Vs Colorado Avalanche

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

Colorado Avalanche (Seed 7)

It only took five games for the Colorado team to take down the Dallas Stars by scoring an average of 3.6 goals per game.

Centers Joe Sakic and Pierre Turgeon provided sound play and leadership throughout the series. Winger Andrew Burnette fed in numerous assists and Rob Blake and Brett Clark on “D” were able to create various scoring opportunities.

In net, Jose Theodore saved 91% of the shots he saw and finished the series with a 2.64 GAA. The veteran goalie, one of the few vets in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, was consistent throughout the series.

He’s shown that he’s capable of keeping opponents’ offensive output down to two goals. Can Theodore do better in the next playoff series? It’s doubtful. He’s actually stepped it up from his regular season play, where he gave up 3.41 GAA and saved 88%.

The Avalanche are not a great team, but they certainly possess some quality players. They are very good. But is very good enough to go on from here? No, usually in the second round of the playoffs a team needs to be better than very good. It’s doubtful that this Colorado team can rise to the occasion.

Anaheim Ducks (Seed 6)

The Ducks beat the Flames in seven games, most of them close and all of them hard fought. Five of those contests were decided by one goal.

Once again, it’s a rookie goalie that has come to the forefront. Ilya Bryzgalov replaced veteran goaltender Jean-Sebastien Gigure in the second period of the fifth game. Although Anaheim lost that contest, Bryzgalov didn’t give up a goal. In the final two games of the Calgary series, he only let in one puck. He’ll be starting against the Avalanche this week.

The Mighty Ducks only scored 17 goals in seven games with defenseman Scott Niedermayer scoring two while accumulating a team-best total of 5 points. Center Andy McDonald led the team with 3 goals.

Quality players like wingers Teemu Selanne and Joffrey Lupul need to pick it up in the next series. The Ducks are lucky to have the hottest tender in the playoffs, but they need to give him more support. He’s been a rock but even rocks eventually yield to pressure.

Second Round Playoff Series Prediction:

Anaheim over Colorado in 6 games

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