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2003 Playoff Preview: Conference Quarterfinals
The playoffs are back and it’s time to look over some history,
some stats and make a few predictions. The Wild are making their first playoff
appearence as Minnesota is happy to see more hockey (playoffs and a Frozen Four
team, good time for the MN fans). Tampa Bay had a strong start that’s not only
led to a playoff spot, but a division championship. The New York Ranger$ are
home again after a big playoff push started too late in the season to capture
that last spot. So many changes, and yet so few, no? Let’s break it down…
Eastern Conference
| Matchup: 8. New York Islanders: 35-34-11-2; 83pts; 46 fights 1. Ottawa Senators: 52-21-8-1; 113pts; 45 fights | ||
| 2002-2003 Team Fight Leaders: | ||
| NYI: Eric Cairns – 12 | ||
| OTT: Chris Neil – 15 | ||
| Regular season info (this year and last) | ||
| 2002-2003 season’s games: | ||
| 11/12/2002 | @NYI 3 OTT 5 | 1 fight |
| 11/27/2002 (OT) | @NYI 2 OTT 2 | 0 fights |
| 11/30/2002 | NYI 2 @OTT 4 | 0 fights |
| 3/15/2003 | NYI 5 @OTT 2 | 0 fights |
| 2002-2003 season’s fights: | ||
| Jason Wiemer – Shane Hnidy | ||
| 2001-2002 season’s games: | ||
| 12/11/2001 (OT) | @NYI 2 OTT 2 | 0 fights |
| 12/27/2001 | NYI 2 @OTT 5 | 0 fights |
| 3/16/2002 | NYI 3 @OTT 4 | 0 fights |
| 3/27/2002 | @NYI 1 OTT 4 | 1 fight |
| 2001-2002 season’s fights: | ||
| Darren Van Impe – Bill Muckalt | ||
| Playoff series info (past 5 years) | ||
| No matchups in the past 5 years |
| Notes: | Ottawa has been in first place the whole season. The Islanders started and ended the season in slumps, while playing solid in between. Which Islanders team will come to play? The Sens have dominated the Isles over the past few years in Ottawa, although the Islanders had a good look 5-2 win the last time they went to the Corel Centre. The keys to this series are all on the Islanders side. Alexei Yashin’s been playing very well down the stretch and must continue to do so in the playoffs. A supporting cast wouldn’t hurt either. The Isles defense can match up with any team in the league and should be one of the few things the Islanders don’t need to worry about. Garth Snow needs to be on top of his game and prove he’s more then just a backup. The Senators will come to play and only have the team’s history as a weak spot. Despite the talk of the Senators acquiring grit, little of it is put on the ice at the same time and the Islanders would be wise to try and bang them around and wear the Sens out. |
| Fight Fans: | It’s possible, but don’t look for the obvious here. Rob Ray has played 5 games since being traded to the Senators, how much playoff time will he see? Cairns hasn’t had a bout since a shoulder injury. Eric Godard will most likely see no time. However, things could get fiesty and you can’t rule out guys like Chris Neil and Jason Wiemer. |
| Prediction: | As an Islanders fan, I say Isles in 6. Everyone else in hockey would probably say Sens in 4 or 5. |
|
Matchup: 7. Boston Bruins: 36-31-11-4; 87pts; 59 fights 2. New Jersey Devils: 46-20-10-6; 108pts; 41 fights | ||
| 2002-2003 Team Fight Leaders: | ||
| BOS: P.J. Stock – 16 | ||
| NJD: Jim McKenzie – 13 | ||
| Regular season info (this year and last) | ||
| 2002-2003 season’s games: | ||
| 12/30/2002 | @BOS 0 NJD 1 | 0 fights |
| 2/21/2003 | BOS 2 @NJD 3 | 1 fight |
| 3/13/2003 | @BOS 4 NJD 3 | 0 fights |
| 4/3/2003 (OT) | BOS 1 @NJD 1 | 0 fights |
| 2002-2003 season’s fights: | ||
| Krzysztof Oliwa – Jim McKenzie | ||
| 2001-2002 season’s games: | ||
| 10/30/2001 (OT) | @BOS 3 NJD 4 | 0 fights |
| 11/3/2001 | BOS 2 @NJD 1 | 0 fights |
| 11/15/2001 (OT) | @BOS 5 NJD 4 | 1 fight |
| 4/7/2002 (OT) | BOS 2 @NJD 3 | 0 fights |
| 2001-2002 season’s fights: | ||
| Andrei Nazarov – Jim McKenzie | ||
| Playoff series info (past 5 years) | ||
| No matchups in the past 5 years |
| Notes: | Last year came and went fast for the Bruins. High expectations and a big first round upset. This season some doubted the Bruins would even see the postseason and here they are – playing the Devils. Unfortunately this year is Martin Brodeur’s year and it’s unlikely the Bruins will be able to throw enough at him to win a series. Joe Thornton has to not only bring his A-game, but bring everyone else’s along with him for the Bruins to succeed. |
| Fight Fans: | It’s all about ice time here. The Bruins won’t want to go down without a fight. I hope. |
| Prediction: | Devils in 5, then Boston can focus on the Red Sox again. It could be worse, could be Chicago. |
| Matchup: 6. Washington Capitals: 39-29-8-6; 92pts; 52 fights 3. Tampa Bay Lightning: 36-25-16-5; 93pts; 31 fights | ||
| 2002-2003 Team Fight Leaders: | ||
| WAS: Alex Henry – 10 | ||
| TAM: Chris Dingman – 9 | ||
| Regular season info (this year and last) | ||
| 2002-2003 season’s games: | ||
| 10/25/2002 | WAS 2 @TAM 3 | 0 fights |
| 11/1/2002 | @WAS 3 TAM 2 | 0 fights |
| 12/23/2002 | @WAS 3 TAM 0 | 1 fight |
| 2/4/2003 | WAS 1 @TAM 5 | 0 fights |
| 2/17/2003 | WAS 1 @TAM 3 | 0 fights |
| 2002-2003 season’s fights: | ||
| Jason Doig – Andre Roy | ||
| 2001-2002 season’s games: | ||
| 10/23/2001 (OT) | WAS 1 @TAM 1 | 0 fights |
| 11/21/2001 | @WAS 3 TAM 2 | 0 fights |
| 2/9/2002 | WAS 4 @TAM 2 | 1 fight |
| 2/11/2002 | @WAS 3 TAM 1 | 0 fights |
| 4/3/2002 | @WAS 4 TAM 1 | 1 fight |
| 2001-2002 season’s fights: | ||
| Brendan Witt – Jassen Cullimore | ||
| Rob Zettler – Ben Clymer | ||
| Playoff series info (past 5 years) | ||
| No matchups in the past 5 years |
| Notes: | How many people had Tampa winning the division at the beginning of the year? Probably the same number as those betting they’ll win this first round series. None are saying they’re going to go away easy, but most are picking them to go away. Much of this series will be Jaromir Jagr vs Nikolai Khabibulin. A strong series leading to a Tampa win could make Vincent Lecavalier the superstar he was always supposed to be. This could be a fun one to watch, and a Lightning win could lead to a possible series with the Devils, another fun one to watch (I know, they’re the Devils, but if you watched the March 27th game, you’d see the potential). |
| Fight Fans: | Not much to watch for here. This shouldn’t be a snoozer, but nothing to predict. |
| Prediction: | Caps in 7. |
| Matchup: 5. Toronto Maple Leafs: 44-28-7-3; 98pts; 46 fights 4. Philadelphia Flyers: 45-20-13-4; 107pts; 37 fights | ||
| 2002-2003 Team Fight Leaders: | ||
| TOR: Wade Belak – 17 | ||
| PHI: Donald Brashear – 11 | ||
| Regular season info (this year and last) | ||
| 2002-2003 season’s games: | ||
| 11/23/2002 | @TOR 6 PHI 0 | 0 fights |
| 11/29/2002 | TOR 3 @PHI 0 | 0 fights |
| 12/12/2002 | TOR 1 @PHI 2 | 2 fights |
| 1/21/2003 | @TOR 1 PHI 3 | 0 fights |
| 2002-2003 season’s fights: | ||
| Darcy Tucker – Jeremy Roenick | ||
| Tie Domi – Todd Fedoruk | ||
| 2001-2002 season’s games: | ||
| 1/19/2002 | @TOR 0 PHI 3 | 5 fights |
| 3/10/2002 | TOR 3 @PHI 1 | 1 fight |
| 3/12/2002 (OT) | @TOR 1 PHI 1 | 0 fights |
| 3/25/2002 | TOR 1 @PHI 3 | 0 fights |
| 2001-2002 season’s fights: | ||
| Tie Domi – Donald Brashear | ||
| Wade Belak – Todd Fedoruk | ||
| Bryan McCabe – Todd Fedoruk | ||
| Tie Domi – Donald Brashear | ||
| Darcy Tucker – Luke Richardson | ||
| Wade Belak – Todd Fedoruk | ||
| Playoff series info (past 5 years) | ||
| 1998-1999 playoff games: | ||
| 4/22/1999 | @TOR 0 PHI 3 | 0 fights |
| 4/24/1999 | @TOR 2 PHI 1 | 0 fights |
| 4/26/1999 | TOR 2 @PHI 1 | 0 fights |
| 4/28/1999 | TOR 2 @PHI 5 | 0 fights |
| 4/30/1999 (OT) | @TOR 2 PHI 1 | 0 fights |
| 5/2/1999 | TOR 1 @PHI 0 | 0 fights |
| 1998-1999 playoff fights: | ||
| No fights this playoff series |
| Notes: | This is the one everyone’s watching. Should it be? Sure, why not. You’ve got skill depth, grit and a pretty even matchup on paper. The little things will go a long way in a series like this. Coaching will be a big factor and goaltending will be scrutinized. Philadelphia always likes to lay the blame there, and despite the amazing turnaround by Eddie Belfour this season, some are still questioning if he was the right replacement for CuJo. The Flyers didn’t put up many goals during the season and Belfour isn’t looking to giving up many either, if things remain like that, the Leafs should win a hard-fought series. One of the bigger questions people are asking about this series is: does it matter who wins? Could either team survive this series and win another anyway? The Leafs are a little banged up right now, they’ll need to keep the first-aid kit on the bench to move on. |
| Fight Fans: | The names look great, and they should all get time, but don’t hold your breath for anything. Ken Hitchcock keeps a leash on his guys and no one hit high numbers this season other then Belak. You have to think these should be fun games to watch in all aspects of the game, including this one. |
| Prediction: | Leafs in 6, drinks are on Eddie. |
Western Conference
| Matchup: 8. Edmonton Oilers: 36-26-11-9; 92pts; 50 fights 1. Dallas Stars: 46-17-15-4; 111pts; 50 fights | ||
| 2002-2003 Team Fight Leaders: | ||
| EDM: Georges Laraque – 14 | ||
| DAL: Aaron Downey – 9 | ||
| Regular season info (this year and last) | ||
| 2002-2003 season’s games: | ||
| 10/15/2002 | EDM 0 @DAL 3 | 0 fights |
| 10/28/2002 (OT) | @EDM 3 DAL 4 | 0 fights |
| 12/31/2002 | EDM 1 @DAL 4 | 0 fights |
| 3/15/2003 | @EDM 4 DAL 3 | 1 fight |
| 2002-2003 season’s fights: | ||
| Brad Isbister – Philippe Boucher | ||
| 2001-2002 season’s games: | ||
| 12/1/2001 | @EDM 4 DAL 6 | 0 fights |
| 12/7/2001 | EDM 0 @DAL 5 | 1 fight |
| 2/8/2002 (OT) | EDM 1 @DAL 1 | 1 fight |
| 3/30/2002 | @EDM 3 DAL 1 | 2 fights |
| 2001-2002 season’s fights: | ||
| Todd Marchant – Darryl Sydor | ||
| Georges Laraque – John Erskine | ||
| Scott Ferguson – Randy McKay | ||
| Ethan Moreau – Brenden Morrow | ||
| Playoff series info (past 5 years) | ||
| 2000-2001 playoff games: | ||
| 4/11/2001 (OT) | EDM 1 @DAL 2 | 0 fights |
| 4/14/2001 | EDM 4 @DAL 3 | 0 fights |
| 4/15/2001 (OT) | @EDM 2 DAL 3 | 0 fights |
| 4/17/2001 (OT) | @EDM 2 DAL 1 | 0 fights |
| 4/19/2001 (OT) | EDM 3 @DAL 4 | 0 fights |
| 4/21/2001 | @EDM 1 DAL 3 | 0 fights |
| 2000-2001 playoff fights: | ||
| No fights this playoff series | ||
| 1999-2000 playoff games: | ||
| 4/12/2000 | EDM 1 @DAL 3 | 0 fights |
| 4/13/2000 | EDM 0 @DAL 3 | 0 fights |
| 4/16/2000 | @EDM 5 DAL 2 | 2 fights |
| 4/18/2000 | @EDM 3 DAL 4 | 0 fights |
| 4/21/2000 | EDM 2 @DAL 3 | 0 fights |
| 1999-2000 playoff fights: | ||
| Sean Brown – Dave Manson | ||
| Bill Guerin – Jamie Pushor | ||
| 1998-1999 playoff games: | ||
| 4/21/1999 | EDM 1 @DAL 2 | 0 fights |
| 4/23/1999 | EDM 2 @DAL 3 | 0 fights |
| 4/25/1999 | @EDM 2 DAL 3 | 0 fights |
| 4/27/1999 (OT) | @EDM 2 DAL 3 | 0 fights |
| 1998-1999 playoff fights: | ||
| No fights this playoff series | ||
| 1997-1998 playoff games: | ||
| 5/7/1998 | EDM 1 @DAL 3 | 0 fights |
| 5/9/1998 | EDM 2 @DAL 0 | 0 fights |
| 5/11/1998 (OT) | @EDM 0 DAL 1 | 0 fights |
| 5/13/1998 | @EDM 1 DAL 3 | 0 fights |
| 5/16/1998 | EDM 1 @DAL 2 | 0 fights |
| 1997-1998 playoff fights: | ||
| No fights this playoff series |
| Notes: | Holy playoff history Batman! Have we seen this one before? Oh yeah. Unlike most other years, this could be the most complete Dallas team ever put together, including the time the Stars hoisted the Cup. Just like the other years, there’s no reason to think the Stars shouldn’t win. Marty Turco finished the season with the lowest GAA in modern history and rarely lost a game in his last 25. If he stays healthy, there’s little the Oilers can do. |
| Fight Fans: | Tune in to this one, these two teams were tied for 8th in the league in fighting majors and have a bunch of willing combatants on each side. If this series goes the way it looks like it will, look for Laraque & co. to try and spark the team. |
| Prediction: | Stars in 4. |
|
Matchup: 7. Anaheim Mighty Ducks: 40-27-9-6; 95pts; 33 fights 2. Detroit Red Wings: 48-20-10-4; 110pts; 27 fights | ||
| 2002-2003 Team Fight Leaders: | ||
| ANA: Kevin Sawyer – 12 | ||
| DET: Darren McCarty – 9 | ||
| Regular season info (this year and last) | ||
| 2002-2003 season’s games: | ||
| 10/13/2002 | @ANA 2 DET 4 | 0 fights |
| 11/15/2002 (OT) | ANA 1 @DET 2 | 0 fights |
| 12/3/2002 | ANA 1 @DET 2 | 0 fights |
| 3/9/2003 | @ANA 4 DET 1 | 0 fights |
| 2002-2003 season’s fights: | ||
| No fights this season | ||
| 2001-2002 season’s games: | ||
| 11/9/2001 | @ANA 0 DET 1 | 1 fight |
| 1/2/2002 | ANA 3 @DET 5 | 0 fights |
| 3/19/2002 | ANA 2 @DET 1 | 0 fights |
| 4/3/2002 (OT) | @ANA 1 DET 1 | 1 fight |
| 2001-2002 season’s fights: | ||
| Dan Bylsma – Brendan Shanahan | ||
| Mike LeClerc – Darren McCarty | ||
| Playoff series info (past 5 years) | ||
| 1998-1999 playoff games: | ||
| 4/21/1999 | ANA 3 @DET 5 | 0 fights |
| 4/23/1999 | ANA 1 @DET 5 | 0 fights |
| 4/25/1999 | @ANA 2 DET 4 | 0 fights |
| 4/27/1999 | @ANA 0 DET 3 | 0 fights |
| 1998-1999 playoff fights: | ||
| No fights this playoff series |
| Notes: | Anaheim had a nice regular season and finished pretty steady, although they had two losses to Dallas and Colorado, they were close games. Look for the same thing here. Close games, but Detroit wins. The Ducks need some big-time production from their first line if they want to grab some wins. Jean-Sebastien Giguere also needs to steal the show. |
| Fight Fans: | Yawn. What? A fight? Only if Joey Kocur comes off |
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