Each week sports reporters Matthew Lambert and Eric Schroeder will face off on a hot topic in sports. The world of sports is changing quickly and constantly, but we want to slow it down and take a better look at the juiciest gossip, scandal, rumor or issue that is making headlines this week. Lambert and Schroeder will take different sides and battle it out, telling you why you they are right.
This week’s topic: NHL playoffs
The NHL playoffs are upon us and once again it will be an exhilarating battle for the Stanley Cup. Each season it seems that the best from the regular season does not always translate over to the postseason, and some teams are just naturally better in playoff scenarios. Which team will be seen in the playoffs? Let’s talk about it…(Recap by Eric Schroeder)
FROM ERIC SCHROEDER
My pick for the Stanley Cup this year is the Chicago Blackhawks. They are easily one of the toughest playoff teams year after year and Coach Quenneville works some magic with his lines. Most importantly though is that Patrick Kane will be back for the Hawks as they begin their playoff push. Sure, he is coming off an injury and is a bit out of seasoning, but the veteran player that he is should have no issue getting back into the swing of things. If anything, being rested will allow him to bring some fresh energy to this Blackhawks lineup.
With a first round matchup against the Nashville Predators, nothing will come easy. The Stanley Cup Playoffs are the most exciting year after year and I cannot wait for the trophy to be hoisted by the Blackhawks once again.
FROM MATTHEW LAMBERT
With the Stanley Cup playoffs beginning, it’s time to hit the rink and tell you why the Montreal Canadiens are going to win the Stanley Cup. First and foremost, the Canadiens are one of the most defensively sound teams in the league. They rank first overall in goals against, allowing 2.2 a game. They also rank tenth in the league in penalty kills at 83.3 percent. With this kind of defensive efficiency, they can successfully shut down any offensive team this season. The biggest reason why the Canadiens defense is so efficient is goalkeeper and Hart Memorial Trophy candidate Carey Price.
Price set a record this season with 43 career wins for the Canadiens and, as I said before, is the defensive anchor for this team. He allows 1.95 goals per game and, thanks to guys like P.K. Subban, many experts believe Price will be the first goalie since Jose Theodore, ironically of the Canadiens in 2001-2002, to win this coveted award.
Another key reason is where they are in the playoffs. Montreal will play Ottawa in the first round, which is a terrific draw for them, rather than playing the Sidney Crosby-led Penguins. After that, they’ll have to deal with either of the New York teams (Rangers or Islanders), or a dangerous Alex Ovechkin-led Washington team. All in all, it’s not going to slow down the Canadiens. Their defense is too efficient for teams who rely too heavily on their offenses.
Pick the Canadiens. They are due for a championship; it’s been nearly 22 years.
