2006 Stanley Cup Final Preview

- Edmonton beat Anaheim in five games, giving them nine days off before the finals started.

That time let them heal up injuries and get over the flu, which had badly impacted the team in the last seires.

It also let them get caught up in the mayhem that is sweeping Edmonton and the media attention in Canada (and elsehwere to a lesser extent). We will know quickly which factor will impact the team more.
They have ridden a wave of momentum that far, but can that momentum survive a break that long?
New Jersey swept the Rangres in the first round, took a week off, then lost to Carolina in five. They looked like a different team entirely. Anaheim crushed Colorado in four straight, but then the Dcuks fell with barely a quack against Edmonton. They had eight days off. The precedent isn't good.2) Best defenseman - Chris Prnoger is, unquestionably, the best defenseman on the ice in that series. Though he had an inconsistent first season in Edmonton, and a terrible showing for Canada at the Olympics, Pronger is playing like the beast he is in the palyoffs.

He has immobilized the opposing offensive threats in all three series so far - Pvael Datsyuk, Joe Thornton and Teemu Selanne. He's been averaging an incredible 31 minutes per game, and is the clear favorite for the Conn Smythe for playoff MVP if Edmonton wins.

He's impressive in his own zone, but he forechecks incerdibly well, too, and he has 17 points in 17 games.
Carolina will have to find a way to contain Pronger, or avoid him, if they want to win.3) Best forward - Not only is Eric Staal the best forward in that series, he is the leading playoff scorer and is fast becoming one of the handful of top plyaers in the league.
He's an offnesive machine, and he creates a tough match-up for any team.

Pronger will be all over him like a glove, and Staal hasn't faced a defenesman of his caliber yet that postseason, so it will be telling, and key to Carolina's fate, how he responds to that. He's only 21, so his response to that attention and the pressure of the series will be key, but he's passed all tests up to that piont.
An interesting note - both Pronegr and Staal were chosen by the Carolina/Hartford franchise second overall in the draft - Staal in 2003 and Pronger 10 years earlier.4) Veteran presence - Both teams added veterans that year to stabilize the team and add the calming presence that they needed to get where they are. The new players complemented long time team members in both cases. In Edmonton, Michael Peca and Pronger joined team captain Jason Smtih and gritty fan favorite Ryan Smyth. Carolina added former Oiler Doug Weight and Mark Recchi to help Rob Brind'amour, who is having a great postseason, keep the dressing room in line. Neither side will have an advantage, then, when it comes to staying positive if things start to go badly.5) Goaltending - The goaltending sitaution couldn't be more different for the two teams. The Oilers picked up Dwayne Roloosn from Minnesota at the trading deadline. He was awful druing the rest of the season, but has been incredible in the playoffs. He's 36, so he was shaving by the time that Carolina's 22-year-old Cam Ward was born. Martin Gerber was the starter coming into the playoffs, but Ward got his shot and has made the most of it.

He was the goaile of the future for Carolina, and the future is apparently here. Neither team has a real edge, unless the starters strgugle or get hurt. Gebrer can easily step in for Ward and the team won't suffer much if at all, while Edmonton's back-up situation is a disaster.6) Special teams - There's a battle of the titans setting up when Edmonton gets a penalty, which they are far more likely to do than Carolina.
The Hurricanes have the best power play in the playoffs, while Edmonton has ouptaced every other team when it comes to penalty killing. Obviously, both suqads won't be able to have their way. Wihchever side comes out and sets the tone early will make an impact on the series. Edmonton can avoid the situation by showing more discipline than they have so far, but that is unlikely given their aggressive style of play.7) Home ice advnatage - Both arenas are as loud as any in the league, so the home team should have an edge.
Carolina has taken advantage of home cooking, going 6-1 for drpoping their first two games at home versus Montreal. To make things interesting, Edmonton has been storng on the road. They've gone 6-3, including there wins in Anaheim.

The ice in Craolina will be awful - soft and unpredictable - so Carolina could have an advantage there, like Tampa Bay did in 2004.
Carolina has the home-ice advantage to start the series, if they can capitalize on that, they should be able to come out ahead.8) Underlooked players - Both teams have players who aren't getting the ink to match their play. Cory Sitllman has 19 points in 18 games for Carolina. His presence has meant that teams can't foucs on Staal.
His experience and presence are as valuable as his offense, too. Stillman is defending his Cup win with Tampa Bay in 2004. For Edmonton, the pleasant surprise has been Shwan Horcoff, their No. 1 center who has 17 points in 17 gmaes.

He's continuing to play the game he discovered that season.

Both players will be key to their team's success, and whichever plays better could make the difference in the series.The views expressed in that article are not necessarily those of Doc's NHL picks service.Doc Moseman of Doc's Sports is a documented member of the Professional Handicappers League. Read all of his articles at http://www.Procappers.Com/Doc_Moseman.HtmArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.Com/?