Several similarities emerge as the remaining contenders gather for round three of the 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs:
None of this is very surprising, because teams that do not exhibit such qualities rarely make it this far. Obviously, goaltending and clutch scoring are crucial. But at this point, there is no way to predict who will have the upper hand in those areas.
So what might make the difference when the Philadelphia Flyers face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Calgary Flames take on the San Jose Sharks?
Western Conference Final Preview
(2) San Jose Sharks vs. (6) Calgary Flames
Hockey's hardest working team meets hockey's other hardest working team. The Flames and Sharks both earn the title with obstinate, bull-headed efforts that drive more gifted opponents to distraction. San Jose and Calgary play games that confirm all the hoary old clichés: watching them, you come away thinking that it really does come down to who wants it more. They also take full advantage of playoff officiating, which lets you get away with a little hook or a momentary collision when you need it most.
The Sharks get big nights from young Patrick Marleau (two hat tricks; 24 years old) and old Vincent Damphousse (11 points; 36 years old). Otherwise, anyone is likely to come up with a goal. Like Calgary, San Jose uses every forward on the bench, and expects the same nasty two-way hockey from them all. Goaltender Evgeni Nabokov aside, the gem of this team is a maturing blue line that reduced Colorado’s big scorers to despair. Nobody in these playoffs has better defense than San Jose.
The Flames put forth the most consistent effort of any team over the last month. They come to every game in the same surly mood, pursuing the puck with a vengeance and back checking methodically. You can beat them, but only if you do the dirty work and cherish your bruises and welts. Detroit did not have the heart for the battle, and Calgary held the edge in play for much of that series. The Flames’ lack of skill occasionally forces them to lean on goaltender Mikkaa Kiprusoff. So far, he is there when they need him.
The Issue: How much difference can one man make? Jarome Iginla is the best player on either team, maybe the best player in hockey. Even when he isn’t scoring, he keeps opponents on guard with speed, talent, brains and tenacity. He and centerman Craig Conroy found ways to score against Detroit and Vancouver. Surely they can do so against the Sharks. But will it be enough?
The Call: Similar teams, but the Sharks are ahead by a nose in several areas of the game, particularly defense. San Jose in Seven.
Eastern Conference Final Preview
(1) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (3) Philadelphia Flyers
The signature skills of these teams stand in sharp contrast. The Lightning breeze past opponents, finishing plays with quick passes and quicker moves. The Flyers pound the puck into the corner, then move it around until the defense tires out and scoring chances emerge. But in these playoffs, Tampa Bay has scored ugly goals and Philadelphia has displayed good speed and playmaking.
The Lightning has 26 goals in nine playoff games; Martin St. Louis has been on the ice for half of them. He even kick-started Vincent Lecavalier, who was slumping until the Montreal series. Others - most notably Brad Richards and Fred Modin - can score without Marty along. But the team gets very little offense from the blue line. If St. Louis can be shut down, Tampa Bay will not win. But who can shut him down? The NHL scoring champ had three goals and five assists in four games against Philadelphia this season.
The Flyers expect to win a game if they score two or three goals. They are not an inherently conservative team, especially when they have the puck. But their approach is exemplified by captain Keith Primeau: begin by neutralizing the opposition; do that, and scoring chances inevitably come your way. The Flyers’ forecheck and power play will create goals. Then it comes down to how quickly they can clear the puck from their own zone.
The Issue: Can the Flyers contain St. Louis and his speedy team mates? Philadelphia overhauled the blue line this season, adding more speed and mobility. Against Toronto and New Jersey, the results were impressive. But injuries are taking a toll. Eric Desjardins will not play. Vladimir Malakhov and Sami Kapanen – invaluable for his ability to play forward or defense – have mild concussions. Kim Johnsson is playing with a broken hand.
The Call: Teams with speed always cause trouble for Philadelphia. Unless Flyers’ goaltender Robert Esche brings a bag of miracles, Tampa Bay in Six.
2004 Stanley Cup Conference Finals: Complete Schedule and Scoreboard
