Predictions ahead of the 2011 National Hockey League Play-offs - Part 6
The Tampa Bay Lightning are in the best of shape to pull an upset in the play-offs:
The Tampa Bay Lightning against the Pittsburgh Penguins is another one of the series where there is a chance of an upset. The Lightning are in good shape to win and emerge as winners of the series. Though the biggest predicted upset of the play-offs is the
New York Rangers defeating the Eastern Conference winners Washington Capitals, but another one of the important and interesting series would be this one. If we talk on the basis of odds, then the odds of the Lightning winning the series are more than the Rangers
winning their series.
The Penguins are not in good shape, if we talk about their team but this comes with the fact that they were able to bag one of the most impressive seasons. The point that relates to them not being strong is that they are without the services of Evgeni Malkin
and Sidney Crosby who are among the important players. The Penguins face another set-back in the shape of Matt Cooke who will also be missing from the line-up and increasing problems for the Penguins.
The Lightning on the other hand is flooded with loads of talent that are bound to shine in the likes of Steven Stamkos, who is eager to score. They are finally getting back on track as important players in the team are beginning to return and get back into
form. This list of players includes Simon Gagne and then Vincent Lecavalier, who are finally managing to put in some game changing performances. The Lightning’s goal is guarded by one of the most talented and skilful goal-keepers in Dwayne Roloson. Experts
say that he has the capability of carrying the entire weight of the team on his back to guide them across the finish line.
Roloson absolutely dominated in the 2006 season with the Edmonton Oilers and if he is able to come up with half the performance he did back then, the Lightning are in for a big treat!
The Nashville Predators will be coming ever so close to a first round play-off series win in their long history:
The Predators is one team that doesn’t have the biggest of stars in the team and are not among some of the strong teams when it comes to the offence. However, still with the defensive mentality and combination of players not only do the Predators successfully
make it into the play-offs, but they do it in style. By style here, we mean that they are able to score 100 plus points each time during the season which is remarkable given the offensive capabilities of the Predators.
They have been consistent during the regular season for quite a few years now, but they haven’t managed to come up with the same success in the play-offs. The Predators haven’t gone past the first round until now and this time they are expected to come ever
so close to winning for the first time.
However, the lack of offensive strength leads to the prediction that they won’t win after putting up a great fight. The Anaheim Ducks are in top form, guided by players like Corey Perry and Teemu Selanne, which makes it all the more difficult for the Predators
to win.
Continued in part 7
Tags: