WC FINALS: LA(1) vs CHI(3) - Star Power v Overall Competence

[anton]

vs

Storylines

The return of a star:
Pavel Datsyuk is finally healthy and ready to play his first full week in a Hawks uniform.

Dominance:
The Kings have been a dominant force all season long and have carried this domincance through the first 2 playoffs rounds. They seem to be a team destined for the finals.

Goaltending:
Perhaps a clash of the most inconsistent (Crawford/Emery) and the most consistent (Halak/Elliott) goaltending in the league. Goaltending will play a major role in the outcome.

The nitty gritty:
LA is strong in periphs and goaltending and are likely to take GAA, SV%, SHTOI, SOG, FOW with ease. Chicago will need to put up an excellent offensive week as well as steal a couple periph categories (notably BS and hits) to have a shot. They have the firepower to do it.

Players to Watch

Chicago: John Tavares, Pavel Datsyuk, James Neal, Patrick Sharp

Los Angeles: Ryan Kesler, Zach Parise, Ryan O'Reilly, Jaro Halak/Brian Elliott

[anton]

i can almost feel the excitement bbkl has for this matchup

[The BBKL Insider]

Should be a good matchup! Good luck buddy

[Shoalzie]

The Datsyuk factor is big...3 Eastern Conference games for the Wings this week, which is unusual. Much like in the East, its a very even matchup but I'll lean to Steve and his goaltending. The Blues were the first to make the playoffs but they still need to hold off the Wings for the division title. Anton has the edge at center but I like Steve on the wing, defense and in net.

[anton]

probably going to need another one of these

[bma]

booooooooooooring

[anton]

6-5-5 after the first night. im happy considering my 2GP disadvantage.

kaleta was once again beyond useless, as he has been since round 1. hey patrick, remember this place?

[Nick]

+/- & GWG looks nice for you... early but good sign!

[anton]

Star Power doing it's thing tonight:

Tavares: 3A (CBS sleeping on giving him his 3rd)
Neal: 3G, 1A
Sharp: 2G

[Shep]

Star Power doing it's thing tonight:

Tavares: 3A
Neal: 3G, 1A
Sharp: 2G

[anton]

Steve's goalies play ANA tomorrow.

Mine............VAN.

[Robin Hood]

5. CHI
Follow this team closely. It might just win the Championship.

[anton]

fuck me down goes kaleta. now both my periph specialists are out and the GP advantage for steve widens.

[anton]

crawford - hot when it matters

[Shoalzie]

Anton wins the first half of this week...Steve appears to have more guys going just one more game this week but he's got some key guys going twice. Anton has two more of Neal and Tavares. Goaltending will come down to Sunday with both goalies not playing again until then...bad game from St. Louis last night.

[anton]

Anton wins the first half of this week...Steve appears to have more guys going just one more game this week but he's got some key guys going twice. Anton has two more of Neal and Tavares. Goaltending will come down to Sunday with both goalies not playing again until then...bad game from St. Louis last night.

STL plays LA Thursday night actually. An LA win would all but secure the goalie cats for me, but im not counting my chickens yet.

Kaleta and Thompson being out doesn't seem like a big deal, but that's pretty significant from a GP standpoint. I have a feeling Steve is going to be right back in this after Thursday and Friday's games and this will be won or lost on Saturday.

[Shep]

Kaleta and Thompson being out doesn't seem like a big deal, but that's pretty significant from a GP standpoint

Any GP is better than no GP, so no matter who you lose, it's always a loss.

[armandtanzarian]

Anton supastar is lookin good. I wouldn't be upset to see Steve lose...lol Love the upsets.

[The BBKL Insider]

i woudln't even call it an upset, Anton's team has more star power than i do, his team is flying this week!

[anton]

tonight is the night steve catches up. 3 GP more + he has some guns playing while im leaning on scrubs mostly.