Green Machine Musings- Grading the Defensemen

 

 

             The offseason is in full swing for 26 of the NHL's 30 teams, and before each one of them can move forward, they have to look back to see what went either right or wrong this year.  Thus, it's time to continue our analysis of each player who took the ice for the Dallas Stars in 2013-14.  We had a heap of fun analyzing the forward corps earlier this week, now it's time to take a look at the blue-liners.  The Stars had little consistency on defense for much of the year, a trend that really hurt this club during certain stretches.  However, near the end of the campaign, Lindy Ruff and his partner-in-crime James Patrick were able to establish some very solid defensive pairings despite having only left-handed shooters and not much 'grit' to speak of.  The team's primary needs on the blue line will be discussed in detail in a later post, but for now, let's get right to the unit's report card for 2013-14.

#33 Alex Goligoski     A      THIS was the Alex Goligoski that the Stars had hoped they'd be getting when they acquired him from the Pittsburgh Penguins for James Neal and Matt Niskanen in 2011.  While the trade is still an ominous moment in recent Stars history, Goligoski silenced many of his critics and might just be breaking free from the stigma that the trade unfairly placed on him.  Goose was third on the team in scoring with 42 points (6 goals and 36 assists) and led the defense in scoring by a country mile (finishing 17 points ahead of his defense partner Trevor Daley).  What might have been most impressive about him, though, was his ability to play a huge number of minutes against the opponent's best offensive lines.  During the playoff series against Anaheim, Goligoski received an average of 28:30 of ice time per game, the highest average total on the team.  Prior to this season, there was talk of Goligoski perhaps being dangled as trade bait due to his favorable contract situation  (two more years at $4.6 million/year).  Now, there is absolutely no chance that Jim Nill parts with Goose unless he has seen some indication that prospect John Klingberg will be ready to join the Dallas club right out of training camp.  Not only do I not see that happening, I see the Stars offering Alex Goligoski a sizable contract extension.  Why?  Because if the Stars bring in some defensive-minded players to play alongside him, Goose's offensive numbers are only going to improve.

 

 

#37 Patrik Nemeth        A-     Over the past two years, the young Swede has been highly praised by fans watching him play with the Texas Stars because of his ability to shut down any and all opposing forwards.  Simply put, when he was on the ice, teams could not score.  He was expected to challenge for an NHL spot in the near future, but none of us were sure when his time would come due to his checkered medical history, which included a knee injury in 2012-13 and a foot injury in 2013-14, both of which kept him out of Texas' lineup for long stretches of time.  His time came sooner than any of us could have anticipated when he was recalled on March 31st, a move designed to add some much needed physicality to the back end.  The experiment worked beautifully as Nemeth looked right at home in his own zone at the NHL level, consistently throwing his weight around and shoving opposing players out of his goaltender's line of vision.  Despite playing in just eight regular season games, Nemeth entered the NHL playoffs as one of the Stars most important blue liners, and his injury during the series hurt the Green Machine considerably.  He did appear a bit raw at times in the offensive zone, but this can and will be ironed out as he gains experience at this level. Moving forward, his rock solid defensive play will help the offense by freeing up his partner to join the attack.  He is currently back with the Texas Stars and gaining valuable playoff experience as they face Grand Rapids in the AHL's Western Conference Finals.  On the season, Nemeth was a terrific plus-19 in 37 regular season games for Texas and was plus-3 in five playoff games entering Friday.

 

 

#24 Jordie Benn          B+      Jamie's older brother received a surprising three-year contract this past offseason after struggling mightily at times in 2013, prompting many to wonder what Jim Nill and his crew saw in the elder Benn moving forward.  We found out in a big way this season.  Jordie Benn was an absolutely crucial component of the Stars' blue line this year, emerging as a top-four defenseman and forming a shutdown pairing with Brenden Dillon during the latter stages of the campaign.  As a player who went undrafted and worked his way up from the ECHL and CHL, to the AHL, and eventually the NHL, Jordie is yet another diamond in the rough that the Stars somehow got their hands on.  He put up a solid 20 points (3 goals + 17 assists) in 78 games during the regular season, but what really is most telling about his improvement is his plus-16 rating, an indication of his much-improved play in his own zone.  An interesting side note was that he has developed a pretty slick backhand move for use in one-on-one situations.  Check out the video above for a look at the ankle-breaker of a move he pulled on a penalty shot against Minnesota on January 21st.

 

 

#6 Trevor Daley             B+      Alex Goligoski's mate on the top defensive pairing had himself a very productive year, potting a career-high nine goals and finishing the year with a career-high plus-10 rating over 67 games.  The longest-tenured Star on the roster, Daley was the only member of the organization who was around when the team last made the playoffs in 2008, and he did not disappoint when given another crack at the postseason after five seasons of coming up short.  In Game 6 of the series against Anaheim, Daley scored twice on breakaways with a series of slick moves, an indication that he still has something to offer offensively at age 30.  With three years left on his current contract and a very reasonable cap hit ($3.3 Million/year), he could be attractive to other teams looking for a two-way defenseman.  Whether or not the Stars will entertain offers for him probably depends on the development of players like John Klingberg, Jamie Oleksiak, and Kevin Connauton.

 

 

 

 

#4 Brenden Dillon         B+       This year, Brenden Dillon gave the Stars' blue line what it so desperately needed: consistency.  Whenever he was in the lineup, fans could expect his pairing to be a steadying presence for the rest of the team as they made the transition from offense to defense and vice versa.   In 80 regular season games, he put up 17 points (6 goals + 11 assists) and finished the year with a plus-9 rating, which was tied for third amongst Stars' defensemen.  The pairing of Dillon and Jordie Benn proved very effective during the latter part of the season, however, most of the toughest minutes were given to the duo of Goligoski and Daley.  This tells me that Dillon still has some growing to do if he is to become the shutdown defenseman that the Stars hope he can be.  Regardless, Dillon's late season injury was huge blow to the Stars as they entered the postseason.  His steadying presence was sorely missed throughout the first four games of the series against Anaheim, and when he returned; he was not the same player, as he was playing through a foot injury that required an operation.  Dillon is a Restricted Free Agent this offseason, so the Stars will look to lock him up with a large but reasonable contract that will allow them to evaluate his worth as he enters his prime.  According to my friends over at DefendingBigD.com, the current consensus estimate of such a deal is somewhere in the neighborhood of 4 years for $18.5 Million (~$4.6 M/year).

#23 Kevin Connauton     B-     Connauton's grade was really difficult to determine because his playing time this year was sporadic at best.  For the first twenty games of the year, Connauton played in all of one game, and it was not until injuries to Stephane Robidas and Trevor Daley opened a spot for him that he began to receive consistent playing time.  In total, he skated in 36 games and contributed 8 points (1 goal + 7 assists).  He also played in four of the Stars' six playoff games.  However, we still do not know exactly what he brings to the table for the Stars.  He has a very heavy shot, perhaps the hardest slap shot on the team, but he has yet to get consistent chances to use it.  Moreover, most of the time he spent on the ice involved him being paired with Sergei Gonchar, an offensive-minded defenseman who did not allow for Connauton to join the rush without conceding open ice behind him for a counterattack.  This meant that Connauton got burned defensively on more than a handful of occasions.  It might have been all for the best had he been sent down to Cedar Park for an extended period of time instead of spending game after game in the press box, but this simply wasn't an option due to the new contract he signed in the offseason.  It mandated that he would have to clear waivers in order to be sent down, something that Nill, Ruff, and company certainly were not willing to risk.  All that said, it remains a mystery as to what sort of plan the coaching staff and upper-level management have for Kevin Connauton.  I highly doubt that they will leave him to flounder in Dallas as the seventh or eighth defenseman.  Expect some sort of move to occur that will either clear a spot for him among the six dressing defensemen or send him someplace where he can be of better use.

 

 

#36 Cameron Gaunce       B-       Gaunce is a defense-first blue-liner who has really helped stabilize the back end for both the Texas and Dallas Stars.  After being acquired last season for almost nothing (Tomas Vincour), Gaunce was signed to a one-year deal and will be a Restricted Free Agent after this season.  During his time with the Texas Stars, the 24 year-old Gaunce played in 65 games, putting up 18 points (3 goals + 15 assists) and playing his way to a very impressive plus-15 rating, an indication of his exceptional reliability in his own zone.  He was called up to the Dallas Stars for nine games in December and January when the blue line was in shambles and was an effective part of a secondary shutdown pairing.  He accumulated no points but finished with a plus-1 rating, a very solid mark.  Expect him to receive a new contract this offseason so that the organization has a true shutdown defender to slot in at either level.  I do not expect him to make the jump to the NHL full-time this season, but he should be hitting his prime soon and could play an important role for this organization moving forward.

 

#5 Jamie Oleksiak          C       The 21 year-old prospect took a significant step back in his development this season, prompting some to guess that he will not quite be ready for the NHL in 2014-15.  The Stars knew that his development curve would be long when they selected him 14th overall in the 2011 Entry Draft, for the 6'7, 254 lb. defenseman known as the "Big Rig" is still learning how to use his massive frame in his defensive zone.  In seven games for the Dallas Stars during the month of December, he did not put up any points and was a minus-3 before being promptly sent back to Cedar Park.  With the Texas Stars, his level of play has been a step below that of his fabulous rookie season in 2012-13, in which he received an invite to the AHL All-Star Game.  In 69 games this regular season, he put up a respectable 23 points, but he was often viewed as tentative to throw his weight around in his own zone, a major red flag for his development.  That said, his level of composure improved some when he was paired with veteran AHLer Derek Meech.  The 36-year old Meech was signed by Texas in early January in an effort to provide stability on the back end by giving the young Oleksiak someone experienced to lean on.  Since this experiment has seen some good results, don't expect Jim Nill and his staff in Dallas to give up on the Big Rig just yet.  We don't want to risk missing out on the next Zdeno Chara.

 

 

  

#55 Sergei Gonchar           C-        Where to begin with Sergei Gonchar?  Couldn't we just pay him a few million to be Val Nichushkin's dad for another year?  Look, we all understood that the now 40-year old Russian was past his prime when he arrived in Dallas this past summer, but that does not excuse his level of play throughout this campaign.  Gonchar was expected to be a driving force behind a Stars defense that was swift to join the attack on an odd-man rush as well as a "quarterback" for a rejuvenated power play.  Simply put, he was neither of those things.  His productivity on the offensive end was not nearly what we thought it would be, and his play in his own zone was downright awful.  His horrific ratings of minus-12 in the regular season and minus-3 in six playoff games tell you all that you need to know.  His $5 million contract has quickly become the biggest albatross contract on the team, as his value appears lower than that of Shawn Horcoff or Erik Cole, the two other most overpaid players on this club.  Now, I understand that his value to the maturation of Valeri Nichushkin cannot be discounted, as he had a similar effect on a young Evgeni Malkin back in Pittsburgh, but is it worth bringing him back for the final year of his contract?  That will be a serious question for Jim Nill to ponder this offseason.

 

 

#27 Aaron Rome             D        Aaron Rome appears the most likely player on the Dallas Stars to receive a compliance buyout if no one is willing to take him off our hands.  Signed to a three-year deal by former GM Joe Nieuwendyk, Rome has never been slotted above the bottom pairing on the Stars' blue line for a multitude of reasons.  First and foremost, Rome was made of glass this year.  That is, he was always injured, never staying in the lineup for an extended period of time.  And when he was in the lineup, he failed to chip in anything offensively or provide the physicality that the Stars' blue line so desperately needed.  In 25 games, he contributed all of 1 assist and an abysmal minus-6 rating.  His level of play was so low that the Stars chose to turn to rookie defenseman Patrik Nemeth in the middle of the chase for a playoff spot instead of putting Rome back in the lineup.  That is something few teams would do unless the NHL-level player in question was viewed as a liability.  To top it all off, when Dillon was forced to sit out Game 1 of the playoff series against Anaheim with his foot injury, Rome entered the lineup on the bottom pairing and was burned badly on multiple occasions.  He never saw the ice again in the series.  In short terms, HE NEEDS TO GO!  And if we need any more reasons to send him packing, his spot on the roster must be opened in order to break up the log jam of defensive prospects knocking on the door of the NHL roster.

 

 

#3 Stephane Robidas        I cannot realistically assign a grade to old Robi in this post, but I most certainly cannot omit him from it, either.  He was a Star for nearly a decade and had earned the respect of millions of fans with his incredible toughness and never-say-die persona on and off the ice.  Tragically, his legendary toughness was put to the test this season as his career was put in serious jeopardy.  On November 29th, Robidas badly broke both bones in his lower right leg in a freak accident in his own zone.  I was at that game, and I could sense that everyone in attendance was wondering if his career was done.  No one could deny that he would attempt to come back from it, but the grotesqueness of the injury made such an attempt look like a long shot.  Ultimately, he would persevere and return to the ice in 2014, albeit not in victory green.  GM Jim Nill wanted to give him a legitimate shot at winning Lord Stanley's Cup, so he dealt Robidas to the Anaheim Ducks for a (no longer conditional) fourth-round draft pick.  Stephane's horrible luck was not past, however.  In Game 3 of the playoff series against Dallas, on the same sheet of ice that his injury in November had occurred on, he broke the same leg again in a collision with Ryan Garbutt.  The Stars faithful gave him a nice ovation, for you couldn't help but feel for this great player whose luck kept running out.  Robidas will probably move on to yet another team this offseason; most likely a contender looking for a veteran presence on their back end.  Hopefully, he will get another shot to win the Cup; because it's about time all his perseverance paid off.

 

 

Maxime Fortunus        Max played a game for the Dallas Stars, so I need to include him here, even though I won't assign him a grade.  The captain of the Texas Stars, he has played a pivotal role in their rise to the top of the AHL's Western Conference.  However, when the Dallas club required his services, they had to void his AHL contract and sign him to a one-year, two-way deal.  This makes him an Unrestricted Free Agent at the end of the season, so the upper management in Dallas has a decision to make on how to proceed in regards to his new deal.  Due to his leadership role for Texas, I tend to assume that they will bring him back to Cedar Park, but space on the 50-man professional roster is growing increasingly limited, so several factors will have to be taken into consideration.

 

 

              Okay folks, that's all for the blue liners. We'll get to the goaltenders in a couple of days and then it's on to the nitty gritty: trades, free agency, and player development.  What's not to love about the offseason?!

Christian Bussler

@c_buss15 Follow me on Twitter and follow @RiffRamSports

NHL Playoffs: The Final Four (A Second Round Recap Along With Conference Finals Predictions)

The NHL sure doesn't like to waste any time. The LA Kings destroyed the Ducks in game 7 last night, and less than 24 hours after Round 2 ended, the Conference Finals begin. Before I give you my thoughts on the third round, let's see how I did in Round 2.

Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens

My Prediction: Bruins in 7

Result: Canadiens in 7

"The Canadiens will give the Bruins a stern test" were some of the last words I wrote in my predictions. Montreal gave Boston everything it could handle plus more. It really isn't as big a surprise as many people think. Sure, Boston is one of the best teams in the league, but like I said before, Montreal matches up well, and the familiarity factor played a huge role. P.K. Subban gets the last laugh as Boston fans taunted him (even racially abused him at one point), but Subban let his play do the talking, scoring the game winner in double overtime of game 1. Montreal won by essentially copying Boston and playing very hard-nosed defensive hockey. The Canadiens allowed just one goal in the final two games. Boston can look at the lack of production from Patrice Bergeron as a direct factor in why they lost. Most of the Bruins forwards were poor in this series, but especially Bergeron, who led the team in goals during the regular season. Aside from game 6, Boston's defense was actually pretty good, but they didn't have enough depth scoring, something they will likely address in the off-season.


Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Rangers

My Prediction: Rangers in 7

Result: Rangers in 7

My second exactly correct prediction of this year's playoffs, and what a series it was. You thought the Rangers were dead in the water after game 5 didn't you? I'll admit that I did. It was more of an epic collapse from the Penguins, who have now lost to a lower seeded team in 5 straight playoffs. The Rangers completely shutdown Pittsburgh's offense in the last three games, allowing just one goal in each. The majority of the credit goes to Henrik Lundqvist, who may just win the Conn Smythe if he can carry the Rangers to the finals. His performance in game 7 was one of the best by a goalie in recent playoffs, as he stopped wave after wave of attacks in the third period. Again, the formula for winning in the Stanley Cup is defense and depth scoring, the Penguins had little defense and zero depth scoring after game 4. The loss resulted in the firing of GM Ray Shero and more people may be let go once the new GM settles in (I'm looking at you Dan Bylsma). The Rangers have the kind of depth scoring that can win Stanley Cups. The leading scorer in the series? Derick Brassard, a third liner.


Chicago Blackhawks vs. Minnesota Wild

My Prediction: Blackhawks in 5

Result: Blackhawks in 6

Either the Minnesota Wild were better than most people (including me) give them credit for, or the Blackhawks still haven't found their best form. Honestly, I think it's a combination of the two. Really, Chicago didn't dominate this series at all, but they could've won it in less games. The good news is that Corey Crawford is in VERY good form right now and that Patrick Kane has established himself as the most clutch player in the league. Want some more good news? Bryan Bickell, the guy the Hawks gave a 4 year/$16 million extension, was the leading scorer in the series. There's the depth scoring I mentioned earlier. The Blackhawks also got better on the road as the series progressed, eventually winning game 6. Minnesota is an extremely tough place to play. The Wild can leave the playoffs with heads held high. They got past the first round and if not for an unlucky bounce in game 6, may have really put some pressure on the Blackhawks in a game 7. Ultimately, Chicago is simply the better team in almost every facet of the game. The good news is the team is young and this experience will certainly help them develop. The bad news? The Central Division is going to be an absolute bloodbath for the next 5-8 years.


Anaheim Ducks vs. Los Angeles Kings

My Prediction: Kings in 5

Result: Kings in 7

This was one of the strangest series I've ever watched. The road team won the first four games and after LA was up 2-0 you thought a sweep may be on the cards. On one hand it's no surprise the Kings eventually pulled it off, but you have to wonder what Anaheim coach Bruce Boudreau was thinking. He started rookie goaltender John Gibson in game 4, despite the goalie not having ANY playoff experience. The result was the youngest goaltender to ever record a playoff shutout, and it was on his debut! Everything looked good in Anaheim after they won game 5, but then it all fell apart. Game 6 was very close, but the Kings won on a soft goal let in by Gibson and the Ducks were absolutely destroyed in game 7. I still think Boudreau should've gone with Jonas Hiller in net, starting a rookie goaltender midway through a series is a tough task. Hopefully Gibson's confidence won't be completely destroyed because he is the net-minder of the future. The Kings went 3-1 on the road in the series and lead the NHL playoffs with 5 road wins. They're also 6-0 in elimination games. What that basically means is they refuse to give in when their backs are against the wall. Also, the Marian Gaborik trade is looking better and better as the Slovakian winger continues to score goals. The game 7 performance is the sort of domination that Blackhawks fans should be afraid of. 

Predictions
Eastern Conference: 1-1 (1 exact number of games)
Western Conference: 2-0

Playoff total
Eastern Conference: 3-3 (1 exact number of games)
Western Conference: 5-1 (1 exact number of games)
Total: 8-4 (2 exact number of games)


Conference Finals Picks

This year's conference finals features two completely different match-ups. In the East you have two unlikely teams who will both fancy their chances of advancing, having beaten better teams in the previous round. In the West, you have two established power houses. One is looking for a 3rd cup in 5 years, the other a 2nd cup in 4 years. In some years, conference finals are more exciting than the Stanley Cup Final (See just about any year from 1995-2002). Without further ado, let's dive into this year's final four.

Eastern Conference Final: Montreal Canadiens vs. New York Rangers 

These teams have met 14 times in the playoffs and history suggests this series will be close. Why? the teams have split the 14 series. New York won the last meeting, but that was all the way back in the first round of the 1996 playoffs. These are two of the Original Six NHL teams, and Montreal has eliminated New York 6 times on the way to winning a Stanley Cup. Enough history though, this match-up is a good one. Montreal arrives having beaten arguably the best all-around team in the league. New York completed an epic comeback after being down 3-1 to the Penguins. Montreal is the surprise team of the playoffs for me. They cruised through the first round and battled through the second. The Rangers seem to be peaking at the right time.

Key Match-ups

Henrik Lundqvist vs. Carey Price

The two goalies who played in the Gold Medal game in Sochi face off. Lundqvist stole the show in game 7 of the last series, and in my opinion is the best goalie in the league right now. Carey Price isn't too far behind. Though he didn't steal the series, he made timely saves against the Bruins and only allowed one goal in the last two games. With the way these guys are playing I'd be shocked if we see any team score more than three goals in a game. Expect a low scoring goal-tender duel. Lundqvist may have the slight edge due to experience.

New York Rangers vs. fatigue (physical and emotional)

After being down 3-1, the Rangers had played 5 games in 7 nights. That kind of scenario rarely happens even in the regular season. The Rangers have played the maximum 14 games in the first two rounds, with very little rest. They're not a young team, so when does it all start to catch-up? The passing of Martin St. Louis' mother on Mother's Day added to the emotional toll, though it may have actually boosted the Rangers. Luckily, the Rangers are getting goals from their third and even fourth lines, but those guys can't be your offensive leaders. Now, with only one full day off, the Rangers start in Montreal, arguably the toughest place to play in the entire league.

Special Teams

In a series like this, every goal has added value and every penalty is more costly. Neither team is too impressive on the penalty kill (MTL 80% NYR 82%, anything around 85% and above is pretty good) but the difference lies on the power play. The Rangers have had the man advantage more than any team in the playoffs, 55 times, but have only scored 6 goals (12%). The Candiens are 10 for 38 (26%) which is more than twice as efficient. Montreal also has P.K. Subban, one of the best offensive defenseman, quarterbacking their power play.


Verdict: These are two teams that play very similar styles. They both have elite goaltenders that could steal a game and even an entire series. Look for this series to be low scoring, defensive, and physical. If you're like me and are a fan of pre 2004 lockout hockey, this is the ideal series. There isn't much separating the teams so expect a long series. Montreal having home-ice may be the difference here, as the Canadiens have lost just once at the Bell Centre. Canadiens in 6


Western Conference Final: Chicago Blackhawks vs. Los Angeles Kings

I can't wait to watch this series. These may be the two best teams, not only in the Western Conference, but in the entire league right now. Both teams are young but very experienced with 3 Stanley Cups between them in the last 5 years. As close as the Eastern Conference match-up is, this one is a virtual stalemate. Chicago easily dispatched the Kings last year, but Jonathan Quick was hurting and the Hawks were basically unstoppable. Forwards, defensmen, goalies, these teams are complete packages.

Key Match-ups

Kings defense vs. Blackhawks offense

I put the Kings defense first because they're the ones that need to step up in this match-up. Drew Doughty is a household name, and some people may even know who Jake Muzzin and Slava Voynov are. Everyone knows who Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and Marian Hossa are though. I said earlier Kane is the most clutch player in the league, I would put Toews in the top 5 as well. The Kings will be without veteran defensemen Robyn Regehr and Willie Mitchell for the start of this series, and it's unknown when either will return. Those two guys could have really helped slow down the Chicago offense. Matt Greene and Jeff Schultz will take their place, and the two played well against the Ducks, but this is a different challenge.

Joel Quenneville vs. Daryl Sutter

Two veteran coaches who have multiple championships face off. One thing many people overlook in the playoffs is adjustments. Coaches who make the best adjustments (or none at all) are the ones who succeed. Look at all four coaches still left...all of them have been this far before. Quenneville was known for a more conservative defensive style of hockey before he came to Chicago. He adjusted to the Blackhawks roster which is loaded with offensive talent. Sutter is very similar, he stresses defense, and the Kings roster is built to his style. The Kings 6-0 record in elimination games, I think, is a tribute to Sutter making the right adjustments. In a series where little separates the teams, the smallest change or decision could make all of the difference.

Los Angeles Kings and consistency

In some ways the Kings are fortunate to still be in the playoffs. They've already played six elimination games. They fell behind 3-0 to the Sharks and lost three in a row to Anaheim after leading the series 2-0. So you have a three game losing streak, followed by a six game winning streak, another three game losing streak, and now a two game winning streak. That may get you through the first two rounds, but it won't get you past a team like Chicago. Bottom line is the Kings NEED to find a way to replicate the wins. In most of the games they lost, lack of goal scoring was the culprit. I think they'll need at least 3 goals in every game to win the series.

Verdict: This series really is about as evenly matched as it gets. I wouldn't look at last year's Conference Finals as any sort of indicator for this year. I still don't think the Blackhawks are playing their best, which is scary. The Kings may be close to peaking after the dominating performance against Anaheim in game 7. Both goalies are also playing near their best, especially Corey Crawford. I will almost guarantee this series goes the distance (barring any freak injuries of course). When a series is this close you have to go with your gut (and in my case, my playoff bracket). Kings in 7 (in overtime)






 

Green Machine Musings- Grading the Forwards

              All right troops, the first order of business for any team moving forward into an offseason in any sport is to look back upon what transpired in the campaign and determine what needs to happen for the franchise to take the next step.  The Dallas Stars are in a very good place right now, as the core of their roster is comprised of young players that will only continue to mature and improve for years to come.  I will outline exactly who fits into the definition of the core in a later post, but for now, it's time to dish out some grades for every member of this club.  We'll start with the forwards.  I have arranged them according to the grade they received.  Without further ado, the verdicts are in!

#14 Jamie Benn    A+    This season, the Dallas Stars had a new captain, and that man proved without a shadow of doubt that he is worthy of the title.  Benn did everything asked of him and more this season; he put up career highs in goals and assists, he bonded with his new line-mate Tyler Seguin to forge one of the league's most potent top lines, and he set aside his natural reserved demeanor with the media to become a figure that the Stars could proudly present to the rest of the NHL.  His solid numbers in the playoffs also indicate that he can thrive under pressure, an asset that some big scorers simply do not have.  No questions asked, Benn has solidified his place in the Top 5-10 players in the league (the jury is still out on exactly where he ranks). 

#91 Tyler Seguin    A    The Stars knew that they were getting a potential superstar from Boston when they acquired the 21 year-old Seguin from the Boston Bruins along with Rich Peverley in exchange for Loui Eriksson, Reilly Smith, and a pair of prospects, but I don't think even Jim Nill expected his club to get a player so good so fast.  I maintain that last summer's blockbuster trade was one of those rare deals in which both teams won.  Seguin finished 4th in the league with 84 points and scored the fifth-most goals in a single season for the Stars since the team moved here from Minnesota.  While he has had some problems consistently producing (meaning that his scoring can come in bunches punctuated by dry spells), this is a trait that could be easily corrected by him maturing in his role and getting more support from a second line.

#20 Cody Eakin       A-    The Ginger Ninja anchored a line that was all about speed for much of the season.  Despite Coach Ruff deploying this unit to combat the opponent's best forwards time and again; Eakin and his crew were able to play as an offensive unit on top of being a checking line.  This shows that Eakin has a lot of versatility and that his role moving forward with this team is still coming into focus.  In the future, he could anchor a true checking line with more size and grit on his wings or a true scoring line with better shooters for him to set up.  Regardless, Eakin, Ryan Garbutt and Antoine Roussel were a thorn in the side of every team the Stars played, and they deserve a lot of the credit for this team making it as far as they did this season.

#16 Ryan Garbutt      A-    Ryan Garbutt signed a new three-year contract during the latter part of the season, and he is looking like he might be worth every penny.  His ascent up the lineup this year was truly amazing, as he went from a fourth line grinding player to a speed demon who finished third on the team in goals with 16.  He has had some problems with discipline at times, most notoriously the incident involving Ducks man-lady Corey Perry in Game 5 of their playoff series and his hit on Dustin Penner that got him a ShanaBan for 5 games early in the season.  Regardless, I have to give credit where credit is due, as Garbutt really proved that he will be a player to watch for years to come.

#43 Valeri Nichushkin    B+    I have to admit, Big Val was a very raw rookie this year.  But while he had his moments, he showed us at times just what he is capable of, and many around the league took notice.  Jaromir Jagr himself predicted that Nichushkin will be one of the best players in the NHL in a few years.  For an 18-year old that didn't speak English to play on one of the premier top lines in the league was something to behold, and if he can learn to protect the puck better in the open ice and use his large frame more effectively in the corners, he will stick on the top trio with Benn and Seguin.  The Stars got a much more well-rounded and mature player than any of us expected, so the "Russian Factor" that surrounds players like him appears to be something that we won't have to worry about any time soon.

#17 Rich Peverley       B+    A harsh grade, I know.  Given everything that Pevs went through this season, he deserves an A+ for his efforts.  He was, in my mind, the most versatile player that the Stars had this season, and his versatility will be sorely missed next season if his recovery process takes longer than we hope this summer.  That said, he was bounced up and down the lineup constantly during the time he was healthy, and this probably took a major bite out of the numbers he otherwise would have put up.  If he does return at some point next season, I anticipate that he will be deployed on one of the wings, given the fact that the Stars should attempt to acquire another center in the offseason.  I really hope that he can return, because his veteran leadership is something that this team will desperately need moving forward.

  

Who honestly didn't want to see this pic again?!

#21 Antoine Roussel     B+    The Dallas Stars are currently in possession of one of the most hated players in the National Hockey League.  But that's okay if you're a fan of the Green Machine.  Roussel racked up 209 penalty minutes this season, good for third in the entire NHL.  But at the same time, he also put up 14 goals and 15 assists, the result of his blistering speed that he utilized time and again to cement his place on the second line.  A Restricted Free Agent this offseason, he will undoubtedly be signed to a multi-year deal, as his ability to spark his team at a second's notice is something indispensable for a young club like the Stars.

#22 Colton Sceviour     B+     For much of the middle third of the season, many of us were wondering what Sceviour was still doing down in the AHL, a league that he was absolutely tearing up points-wise.  His first stint with the big club had gone well enough, but there just didn't seem to be a place for him at right wing in Dallas.  When he signed an NHL-only contract for the next two years on February 28th, it was clear that either the Stars had plans to make room for him in the offseason or trade him to someone with a need at right wing.  Then, less than two weeks after signing his new contract, Sceviour immediately was called up for good after Rich Peverley collapsed on the bench during a game.  While I'm sure that he would have preferred getting called up under kinder circumstances, Sceviour made the most of his opportunity, carving out a niche for himself on the third line at even strength as well as on the second power play unit.  Ever since he entered the Stars organization, he has continued to improve with each passing year.  Stars management will think long and hard about his future with the club; because, if he stays on track with his development, he could be a very exciting player to watch in victory green for years to come.

#38 Vernon Fiddler        B     Vernon Fiddler gave the Stars exactly what they needed out of one of their bottom-six centers this season.  He was dominant on the faceoff dot, extremely effective on the penalty kill, and he even chipped in some offense at times.  An Unrestricted Free Agent this offseason, it is unlikely that he will return to Dallas in the fall due to the Stars' limited space on the 50-man roster and his likely desire for a multi-year contract.  On a more positive note, take a moment to bask in the glory of the most awesome shootout move in the history of the NHL!

#12 Alex Chiasson       B     We all knew, deep down, that Toaster would be unable to keep up the insane scoring pace that he was on at the end of last season and the for the first few games of this campaign.  However, Chiasson's numbers (13 G + 22 A) probably could have been considerably better if not for two factors conspiring against him.  First, he was initially placed on the second line with Ray Whitney and Cody Eakin, a trio that initially meshed well together but eventually became a liability defensively, which in turn eroded their production at the offensive end.  Second, a bout with stomach flu midway through the season made Chiasson lose fifteen pounds in a very short span of time.  While he was able to get his strength back, the lost girth limited his physicality and thus his ability to drive the net.  With the Olympic break, he was able to gain back most of the weight he'd lost and he returned looking like the player he was when he came up.  He was a crucial component of the Stars' depth scoring during the stretch run to the playoffs, and by the end of it all, he was playing on the top line with Benn and Seguin.  He could be destined for big things if given the proper linemates in 2014-15.

#10 Shawn Horcoff    B-     Perhaps I should have given Horcoff a C+, but I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt given his performance down the stretch and his solid production during the playoff series against Anaheim.  Horcoff spent most of the season centering the fourth line, but towards the end of the campaign, he made the transition to left wing to play alongside Fiddler and Sceviour.  While not his natural position, it shows that he has versatility, which greatly increases his value.  His greatest asset for the Stars this season was his play on special teams, as he anchored the middle with a veteran presence on both a power play unit and a penalty kill unit for much of the season.  He has by far the biggest albatross contract on the team, with a cap hit of  $5.5 million for one final year on his current contract (although he will only receive $3 million in 2014-15).  This means that the Stars will probably keep him as their fourth-line center for next year as they would probably have to keep some of his cap hit were he to be made part of a trade.

#72 Erik Cole        C+      I could have given Erik Cole a slightly higher score, but he could have been so much more this year.  His numbers were a significant improvement over what he put up in the shortened 2013 campaign, but he was a very streaky player this year, something that you do not expect out of veterans like him.  His    goals were good for fourth on the team, but the heavy majority of them came at home and many came in bunches.  Don't get me wrong; that goal he scored on Modano night was one of the goals of the year in my book, but he could have been a true difference maker for this team this season.  His status as a healthy scratch for several games during the playoff series with the Ducks raises a handful of red flags for me when analyzing what's next for him.  Despite the fact that he only has one year left on his contract, his deal has been labeled an albatross, as his cap hit is $4.5 million.  I am not opposed to him returning next year, especially as the Stars appear under-staffed at left wing, but he needs to step up his game if he hopes to play meaningful minutes for the Green Machine moving forward.

#13 Ray Whitney    C-     Was this season the swan song for the Wizard?  I tend to believe that it was.  The now 42-year old winger was highly ineffective at even strength for much of the year, especially during the latter months, when he was relegated to duty on the fourth line.  He was still an important part of a power play unit with his passing ability, but he was not the player that he was in 2013.  Since the Stars' playoff run ended, he has expressed his feeling that he was misused by the Stars down the stretch.  I don't believe him, for he simply did not play at a level that warranted increased responsibility.  It is unfortunate that such a distinguished career could very well have come to an end on such a low note.

NOTE: I created a separate categrory for the following four players because of their limited playing time with the Dallas Stars this season.  I have taken into account their accomplishments with the Texas Stars in determining their grades.

#18 Chris Mueller      B      While signing Mueller was a bit of an afterthought in the early going this season, he certainly made his presence felt within the organization.  We ought to rename I-35 the "Chris Mueller Expressway" because he was called up to Dallas and sent back down to Austin too many times to count, often making both transactions in the same day.  During his time in Dallas, he centered a pretty solid fourth line, and his versatility was always on display.  While he didn't put up any points this season at the NHL level, he put up 25 goals and 32 assists for the Texas Stars, and his four appearances in the Dallas Stars' playoff series against the Ducks is a major indication of how high his level of play was late in the season.  He will be an Unrestricted Free Agent once the free agent signing period begins, but I would not be at all surprised if he is re-signed by Dallas.  His presence gives the Stars a real safety net at center should injury occur, and the team's top center prospects are at least two years away from making an impact at the NHL level.  He will be cheap and willing to accept a short-term deal.  Why not bring him back?

39# Travis Morin         B-     Morin was one of the most dominant players in the AHL this year while anchoring the top line for the Texas Stars.  The 30 year-old center put up 32 goals and 56 assists in the regular season in Cedar Park this year and played in four games for Dallas.  His 88 total points were tops in the AHL in the regular season, and his line, featuring Colton Sceviour and the rookie Curtis McKenzie, was one of the most feared in the league.  His numbers can be misleading, however, as he is a veteran AHLer and is not part of the plan moving forward for Dallas.  Regardless, he provides crucial depth at the center position and is a key player for the young prospects to play alongside as they mature in Cedar Park.  He will be a key cog in a deep playoff run for Texas, which is exactly what the Stars' most NHL-ready prospects need as they look to head into training camp in the fall with a chance to make the NHL roster.

#11 Dustin Jeffrey        C+    Jeffrey is a tough player to evaluate because of his oft sporadic playing time and his use in a multitude of positions on the lower lines.  Acquired off waivers from the Pittsburgh Penguins in the middle of the season, Jeffrey spent a lot of time in the press box as a healthy scratch and a lot of time with the Texas Stars, for whom he put up 10 points in 21 games.  With all that working against him, perhaps this grade is a bit unfair, but his lack of production (just 3 points in 24 NHL games with Dallas) makes it hard to grade him otherwise.  Still, he did have one breakout game with the Stars as he potted two goals in a 5-0 victory in Washington on April 1st.  He will be an Restricted Free Agent this offseason, and it is questionable as to whether or not Jim Nill and his crew will bring Jeffrey back to Big D in the fall.

#28 Lane MacDermid     D-    This guy gets a D- for the time he spent in a Stars uniform, but Jim Nill gets an A+ because the Stars GM flat out hosed Calgary by trading this guy for a 6th-round draft pick.  Why was that trade such a steal?  Because the 24 year-old MacDermid retired from professional hockey shortly thereafter.  So the Stars got a sixth round pick for about as little as you can pay.  We the fans appreciate shrewd management moves like this.

Okay fans, that's all for now.  I'll have another post assigning grades to the defensemen later this week. Keep Calm and Kari On, Everybody!

Christian Bussler

@c_buss15 Follow me on Twitter and follow @RiffRamSports

NHL Playoffs Act 2

I know, I know...the second round already started, but you're going to have to trust me when I say I'm not changing my predictions based on the the three game 1's. Usually I'm excited for second rounds, but the matchups this year don't have as much interest for me. Nonetheless, I expect great series in most cases.

Eastern Conference

Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens
These teams meet for the 34th time in the playoffs. No that's not a typo, there's a reason why these teams are big rivals. Boston took the last meeting in 2011 in 7 games. The Bruins righted the ship after losing game 1 to Detroit by winning 4 straight games. Their defense looks really good, including Tuuka Rask. The Canadiens, meanwhile, shocked many people by dumping the seemingly equal Lightning in 4 games. Montreal plays a similar style to Boston, physical and defensive, but they also have a lot of flair in their forwards through Max Pacioretty and Daniel Briere. The Canadiens will have to improve on their penalty kill though, they're at 77% right now.

Key Matchups

Carey Price vs. Tuuka Rask
These two goaltenders are both hot right now, and they need to continue that if their respective teams want to make deep runs. Rask leads all playoff goalies in GAA and Save Percentage. Price is peaking at the right time after winning a gold medal at the olympics. He was especially key in game 2 of the last series, on the road. If Montreal wins the series, they'll have to steal a game in Boston, and Price will be key to that

P.K. Subban vs. Zdeno Chara
The best defense-men for their respective teams. They're both physical and they both score timely goals. Chara will likely be on the ice every time the Max Pacioretty line is and on the power play. Subban is a little younger, a little quicker, and is more involved with the Canadiens' offense. Expect to see him quarterbacking the power play and jumping up into the play with the forwards.


Verdict: Montreal matches up really well with Boston and the Canadiens are a thorn in the Bruins side almost every year. Both teams easily handled their first round opponents, both teams have elite goaltenders, and both teams believe they can win the series. Montreal's penalty kill is a concern, especially since Boston's power play is on fire right now (33%). The Bruins were many people's pick to win the cup (I picked them to lose in the finals), but they face a stern test here. Bruins in 7


Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Rangers
These teams last met in 2008 and a lot has changed on either side since then. The Rangers outlasted the Flyers in game 7 in round 1. The Penguins put away the pesky Blue Jackets and were in many ways fortunate not to play a game 7. If the Rangers want to win this series they'll have to improve on both aspects of special teams. Of teams still remaining in the playoffs, the Rangers rank dead last in power play and penalty kill. If the Penguins want to win, they'll have to find some consistency. They showed flashes of brilliance in the first round but also showed glaring gaps

Key Matchups

Sidney Crosby vs. himself
There's little argument about it, Sidney Crosby is the best player in the world right now. But even the best go through scoring droughts. Players like Crosby need just one goal and what usually follows is a goal explosion. To his credit, Crosby did pick up 6 assists in the first round, but for a player who ran away with the NHL points race, you expect him to score at least a few goals.

Rangers defense vs. Penguins offense
Everyone knows that Pittsburgh can score goals, but that formula alone won't win you a Stanley Cup. The Rangers have the players to shut down that offense, specifically Ryan McDonagh. The key for the Rangers will be for their forwards to support the defensmen in shutting down Crosby, Malking, Kunitz, Neal, etc. Of course Henrik Lundqvist's play will also be important, but if he can get support from his defense, his job will be that much easier.

Verdict: I promise game 1's outcome had no influence on this. I picked the Flyers to win round 1 and beat their in-state rivals. Pittsburgh isn't convincing enough to me. They struggled against a Columbus team that they should've easily dispatched given their roster. Marc Andre Fleury looks shaky and the lack of scoring from Crosby is concerning. The Rangers need to find a way to steal a road game, or maybe even two. Rangers in 7


Western Conference

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Minnesota Wild
I'll try not to let my anger and disappointment show here, but it'll be tough. You have to give the Wild credit though. Hardly anyone gave them a chance in round 1, but they were the better team throughout the series and deservedly advanced. Their reward? A date with the defending champions. Chicago deserves credit too. They were unlucky in the first two games and were dominant in the last four. Their opponent, the Blues, are no pushover either. Brent Seabrook came back from suspension and was an immediate contributor, his return is pivotal to this team.

Key Matchups

Corey Crawford vs. whoever Minnesota has in goal
Darcy Kuemper's status is uncertain after the young goaltender exited game 7 of round 1 with a leg injury. Ilya Bryzgalov looked shaky in the first two games against Colorado, and was pulled in favor of Kuemper. Kuemper played solidly and if he isn't able to go, Bryzgalov will have to elevate his game. Corey Crawford really doesn't have to change anything. The Blackhawks goalie has found his form from last year.

Minnesota defense vs. Chicago offense
I would argue that the Avalanche are similar to the Blackhawks offensively, with one  major exception: experience. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane are very young, but both already have two Stanley Cup rings. The Wild shut down the Avalanche offense enough to get past them, but they'll have to find another level to stop the Blackhawks. Like the Rangers, Minnesota will need their forwards to help out on defense. Ryan Suter, who leads the Wild in ice time, will have the task of stopping Patrick Kane.

Verdict: The winner of the Avs-Wild matchup was always going to be in trouble. Playoff hockey is very different from the regular season. Not many people gave the Wild a chance in the first round, even less people will give them a chance here. Chicago is rolling on all cylinders right now and will be very tough to beat. Blackhawks in 5

 
Anaheim Ducks vs. Los Angeles Kings
It's sort of hard to imagine these teams will face each other for the first time in the playoffs. After all, they're in the same division and basically the same city (I know it's not technically the same but you get the idea). The Kings became only the fourth team to erase a 3-0 deficit, and if there was any team this year that could accomplish that, it's the Kings (especially since they played the Sharks, who seemingly choke every year). The Ducks put away the young, upstart Stars in 6 games. Trailing by two with 2:10 left, the Ducks tied the game with less than 30 seconds left and won less than three minutes into overtime. It was an incredible display of determination.

Key Matchups
Jonathan Quick vs. whoever Anaheim has in goal
Like Minnesota, the Ducks don't know who their goalie is going to be. Frederik Anderson was largely mediocre, at times even poor. Jonas Hiller was solid in relief, having come on twice in the series. The trouble is Bruce Boudreau stuck with Hiller last year when he struggled, and it seems he doesn't want to completely destroy Anderson's confidence. On the other side, Jonathan Quick allowed 17 goals in the first three games and only 6 in the final four. He is the key to the defense and right now he's playing as well as any goalie in the playoffs

Drew Doughty vs. Ryan Getzlaf/Corey Perry
If the Ducks want to get past the Kings, they'll need Getzlaf to continue his fine form. Now that he doesn't have the jaw protector, Getzlaf can resume playing like normal (though it's not like the protector slowed him down too much). Dallas didn't really have a shutdown defenseman to stop Getzlaf, but the Kings do. Doughty is riding high after stopping the Joe Thornton line in round 1, and scoring a pivotal goal in game 7. Corey Perry was largely ineffective but the Kings would be ill-fated to dismiss him.

Verdict: I think many people overlook the Ducks, but to be fair they choked big time last year, and struggled at times against a Dallas team  they probably should've beat with more ease. Another problem the Ducks have is defense. They don't have a big name defenseman, and they lost Stephane Robidas for the rest of the playoffs. The Kings may have the most momentum of any team right now, and they get a few days rest. The offense is scoring goals, the defense is shutting opponents down, and Jonathan Quick is in form. Kings in 5

NHL Playoffs: Round 1 recap

As an Avs fan I’m still trying to swallow what happened in round 1. The first round provided us with amazing hockey, and round 2 should be no different. Before I offer my predictions for round 2 let me quickly recap round 1.

                Bruins vs. Red Wings.  My prediction: Bruins in 6.

Result: Bruins in 5.

                I almost got this one completely right, but after game 1 I’m sure there was more than one Boston fan wondering if an upset was on the cards. Making adjustments in the playoffs is an integral part of winning, and Claude Julien did just that. Pavel Datsyuk still had a great series for Detroit, but no one else stepped up. Boston essentially put a choke hold on the series by winning both games in Detroit. This was the kind of performance that should have every other NHL team afraid to play Boston.

                Lightning vs. Canadiens. My prediction: Lightning in 7

Result: Canadiens in 4

                I got this series completely wrong. To be fair, I don’t think many experts picked a Montreal sweep, but it makes no difference. Game 1 was very entertaining, Montreal stole home ice by winning in overtime. After the Canadiens stole game 2 you sort of had the feeling this series may be over faster than originally thought. Give credit to the Lightning though: they played without their first string goaltender and battled valiantly in Montreal, a very tough place to play. As Max Pacioretty’s goal with just over a minute left in game 4 went in, you almost felt bad for the Lightning. Montreal will give Boston a stern test.

                Penguins vs. Blue Jackets. My prediction: Penguins in 5

Result: Penguins in 6

                I have to admit I underestimated the Blue Jackets in this series. Not only did they steal the first game, but they almost fought back from 4 goals down in game 6. Like the Islanders last year, Columbus had Pittsburgh on the ropes, and if I’m a Penguins fan I’m very concerned. Columbus scored multiple shorthanded goals and scored in clutch moments. Pittsburgh almost blew a 4 goal lead late in game 6, and needed a comeback to win game 4. Defense and goaltending are still a problem for this team.

                Rangers vs. Flyers. My Prediction: Flyers in 6

Result: Rangers in 7

                I went 2-2 in Eastern Conference matchups, and while this one went to 7 games, it was hardly as entertaining as the series suggests. Games 6 and 7 had more exciting feels to them, but the rest of the games were low scoring and dull. Momentum was hard find for either team, and I thought the Flyers would have it in game 7 after roasting the Rangers the game before. The good news for Rangers fans is they have the style to beat the Penguins. The bad news? Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malking are heating up

                Ducks vs. Stars. My Prediction: Ducks in 7

Result: Ducks in 6

                This one has to sting for Stars fans. Up 2 goals with 2 minutes left in game 6 and the Stars find a way to lose. Winning game 7 would’ve been a hard task but another team who we won’t talk about (just kidding we will later) managed to accomplish it. Home teams dominated this series, with the exception of the last two minutes and overtime of game 6. The Stars proved they can step up their game in the playoffs and the future is bright. Expect the Stars to compete for a playoff spot for years to come. The Ducks proved they can overcome adversity. They were all but done in game 6 when Nick Bonino scored. Even after that you thought the Stars would hang on. Anaheim’s reward? The Los Angeles Kings, good luck.

                Sharks vs. Kings. My prediction: Kings in 6

Result: Kings in 7

                Let me re-state something: It must be frustrating being a Sharks fan. Up 3-0 in the series after 3 dominating performances, the Sharks pulled off a massive collapse. The Kings are only the fourth team in NHL history to erase a 3-0 deficit. They accomplished it by going back to their strong suit: defense. After giving up 17 goals in the first three games, the Kings only gave up 6 the rest of the series, and only 3 in games 5 through 7. Jonathan Quick is back in form, Anze Kopitar found his scoring touch, and the Kings are on fire. The Sharks have to wonder what could’ve been. Is the window closed for guys like Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau? The Sharks may fire a great coach in Todd McLellan, but he isn’t a playoff coach, and the team needs a shakeup.

                Avalanche vs. Wild. My prediction: Avalanche in 6

Result: Wild in 7

                This one really hurts. All season long the Avs refused to let their critics win. They continued that mentality in game 1, coming back in the third period. After getting completely dominated in games 3 and 4, the Avs again fought back to win game 5. Game 6 was much better but the Wild found a way to win. In game 7 it was the Wild who refused to go away, coming from behind 4 times and eventually winning in overtime. The Wild won by clogging the neutral zone and slowing the Avs speed. Inexperience really hurt the Avs in this series, as they looked like a shadow of the team that had the league’s best road record. Zach Parise came up big for the Wild when they needed him most. There was some bad blood in this series, including a dirty hit and questionable calls by the officials. Could this be the start of a new rivalry between two up and coming teams?

               

                Blues vs. Blackhawks. My prediction: Blackhawks in 6

Result: Blackhawks in 6

                If not for my Avs, I would’ve gone perfect in the Western Conference, but I’ll take a 3-1. It’s déjà vu for St. Louis though, as they blew a 2-0 series lead for the second straight year. Both of the first games went to overtime, so did game 5, which ultimately led to the Blues demise. Chicago’s experience and solid goaltending from Corey Crawford made the difference. The highlight of the series was Brent Seabrook’s illegal hit on David Backes which saw him suspended until game 6. Seabrook came back and was a driving force behind the goals. Jonathan Toews also stepped up big in game 5, scoring the winner in overtime. The Blues have to be scratching their heads after giving up an 8 point lead and losing the division. They could not have faced a tougher first round opponent. The Blackhawks, meanwhile, will certainly challenge to repeat as Stanley Cup champions as they are finding their playoff form.

Predictions

Eastern Conference: 2-2

Western Conference: 3-1 (1 exact number of games)

Overall: 5-3