NHL playoff preview

NHL contest preview, Canucks' Ryan Miller (29-15-1, 2.53, .911) vs. Flames' Jonas Hiller (26-19-4, 2.36, .918). Considering Miller's time in St. Louis did not pay off for the Blues, he comes into these playoffs with one thing to prove. He might be rusty coming back off associate degree injury, therefore Eddie Lack (18-13-4, 2.45, .921) might get a Game one look. Hiller conjointly has one thing to prove as a result of he became expendable once the Ducks were loving with their younger goalies. however each goalies have happy their groups this season.

Story line: urban center is trying to win a contest spherical for the primary time since 2004.

Season series: 2-2.

Key matchup: urban center D dagger Russell vs. Vancouver shooters. Russell set associate degree NHL record with 283 blocked shots.

Why Vancouver ought to win

1. The Sedin twins lead associate degree offense that has grading potential up and down the lineup. The Canucks had twelve players with ten or additional goals, crystal rectifier by Radim Vrbata with thirty one. 2. Vancouver's defensive cluster is best than it's on paper; The Canucks gave up too several goals this season, however they need associate degree tough cluster with Alexander Edler, Dan Hamhuis and Kevin Bieksa. The defense is healthy and looked gouger within the closing weeks. 3. The Canucks are solid on special groups and have the NHL's best penalty kill.

Why urban center might win

1. The hockey world has been expecting the Flames to falter all season and that they stayed sturdy. They went 12-6-3 when key defenseman Mark Giordano had skeletal muscle surgery. perhaps everybody ought to settle for that this team is underrated. Jiri Hudler's productive season is symbolic of that. 2. The Flames area unit ne'er out of a game. They won ten games once trailing when 2 periods. They tied for the NHL lead with ninety nine third-period goals. 3. The Flames build it laborious to induce the puck to their internet. they're jumpy and crystal rectifier the league in blocked shots.

Injuries: Canucks, Fs Brad Richardson and Zack Kassian area unit out. Flames, Giordano is athletics title of respectin and hasn't dominated out a come back in an exceedingly later spherical.

Prediction: We've underestimated the Flames all season. Let's take them to win this series in six games.

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