raleh
Registered User
Alright, here's what I have time for today. I know it's not much, but I wanted to get something in before Mark takes off. As I said, once he's gone, I won't be saying much because I want this to be fair.
First off, I feel very comfortable with our first, third or fourth lines matching up against the Sittler line. I think that the key for us to win this series is shutting down that line. As I mentioned, I think that Mark's first line looks better on paper than it would in "real life". Having said that, it's still a very strong first line. Ideally, I'd have the Luce line out against them as often as possible, but not at the risk of overplaying them. The Oates line will handle them fine, and I think they will match them offensively. Adam Oates is, to me, a top five playmaker of all time. 7 top 3 finishes in assists is pretty impressive. To his right is Jarome Iginla who has managed 4 top 3 finishes in goals and never with a playmaker of Oates' abilities (or the real life equivalent). They will be deadly together. Cook adds some extra grit, albeit not nearly what Olmstead brings.
I'm also comfortable with Richards and Hextall lining up against the Sittler line.
While I'm comfortable with Crawford playing big minutes against Geoffrion, I plan on having Clapper to bear most of that load. He can skate with him, take the body, and then lead a rush up the other way. Speaking of Clapper, I don't want Cherry to hesitate moving up to forward in a pinch. He'll take Gare's spot on the second line, Gare will move the the third and play with Luce and Marshall. Tremblay moves down to the fourth line, and Koroll doesn't dress while Shields does. I think that my second line does provide enough offense, but if enough people disagree, that is an option. An option I don't want to have to use as suddenly Red Horner is my number one dman, but if need be, I'll do it.
Other than matching up against the Geoffrion line, we will simply roll our four lines. I don't think the Fireworks' second line is anything we need to concern ourselves making a defensive plan against. We'll just skate hard, hit hard, and play a very Don Cherry type game.
While our offense will be based on grinding, sticking to the system, blah blah blah, our defense will not hesitate to play a very physical, emotional type game. Horner, Clapper, Jerwa, Wilson, Vadnais, and Crawford can all hand out punishment. Some more than others.
Add me to the list that thinks the goaltending is fairly close to equal. I'd say that there is a slight edge for Hall, but not a ton.
I think our first line actually matches up okay with theirs, and our bottom six are clearly better. There are no holes in the line up and they are not going to make many mistakes. This is not a team I would want to watch play very often, but they are a team that can win.
First off, I feel very comfortable with our first, third or fourth lines matching up against the Sittler line. I think that the key for us to win this series is shutting down that line. As I mentioned, I think that Mark's first line looks better on paper than it would in "real life". Having said that, it's still a very strong first line. Ideally, I'd have the Luce line out against them as often as possible, but not at the risk of overplaying them. The Oates line will handle them fine, and I think they will match them offensively. Adam Oates is, to me, a top five playmaker of all time. 7 top 3 finishes in assists is pretty impressive. To his right is Jarome Iginla who has managed 4 top 3 finishes in goals and never with a playmaker of Oates' abilities (or the real life equivalent). They will be deadly together. Cook adds some extra grit, albeit not nearly what Olmstead brings.
I'm also comfortable with Richards and Hextall lining up against the Sittler line.
While I'm comfortable with Crawford playing big minutes against Geoffrion, I plan on having Clapper to bear most of that load. He can skate with him, take the body, and then lead a rush up the other way. Speaking of Clapper, I don't want Cherry to hesitate moving up to forward in a pinch. He'll take Gare's spot on the second line, Gare will move the the third and play with Luce and Marshall. Tremblay moves down to the fourth line, and Koroll doesn't dress while Shields does. I think that my second line does provide enough offense, but if enough people disagree, that is an option. An option I don't want to have to use as suddenly Red Horner is my number one dman, but if need be, I'll do it.
Other than matching up against the Geoffrion line, we will simply roll our four lines. I don't think the Fireworks' second line is anything we need to concern ourselves making a defensive plan against. We'll just skate hard, hit hard, and play a very Don Cherry type game.
While our offense will be based on grinding, sticking to the system, blah blah blah, our defense will not hesitate to play a very physical, emotional type game. Horner, Clapper, Jerwa, Wilson, Vadnais, and Crawford can all hand out punishment. Some more than others.
Add me to the list that thinks the goaltending is fairly close to equal. I'd say that there is a slight edge for Hall, but not a ton.
I think our first line actually matches up okay with theirs, and our bottom six are clearly better. There are no holes in the line up and they are not going to make many mistakes. This is not a team I would want to watch play very often, but they are a team that can win.
