Who is the best line in hockey? That's the question, is the Sedins in Vancouver or what about Toews, Sharp & Hossa/Kane in Chicago. Statically speaking it is the big three in Anaheim, Ryan Getzalf centering Bobby Ryan and 50 goal scorer Corey Perry. They like the Chicago line has proved it come playoff time and on more than one occasion. Perry's 50 goals led the NHL this year, he near the end of the season had 19 goals in 14 games, the entire line had 69 points during that time.
Can the Nashville Predators handle that plus more, in Teemu Selanne & Lubomir Visnovsky. Well they do have Pekka Rinne who led his team to the third best goals against average 2.32. They also acquired Mike Fisher only for this reason, the second season. Nashville is sick and tired of being after thoughts going into the first round of the playoffs. The Preds only scored 2.60 goals per game this season, led by Sergei Kositsyen's 23 goals, then Patric Hornqvuist and his 21 goals, then there is 4 others with 16 or more goals. But, one name that some folks are about to hear soon is Blake Geoffieon. Yes the rookie scored 6 goals in 20 games but, he came on very strong late in the season. But Nashville begins and ends with Shea Weber who has scored 55 goals and 144 points in the last 3 seasons, he is quietly one of if not the most steady defenseman's in the entire league. The Ducks however will do their do best to make sure he is a Pinata, they will hammer him left right and center, he will be their center of attention if and when the score gets out of hand.
Specialty teams will be huge in this series, Anaheim has the third best powerplay, the Pred can boast the 5th best penalty kill. Nashville's powerplay is 4th worst, while Anaheim's penalty kill in 19th. Nashville has to stay out of the penalty box, Anaheim has to many weapons on the powerplay.
Anaheim's goaltending is alright, but its up in the air on who will lead them. Switz born Jonas Hiller was one of the best goalies in the league before suffering vertigo at the all star game. Ray Emery then suffered a lower body injury with 3 games left in the season, so they turned to former Predator Dan Ellis, who is consistennt, but at times loses focus and lets some soft goals in.
When its all said and done, if Ellis struggles enough the Preds have a chance, but I think he'll be solid enough. Anaheim in 7.
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