Ducks, Devils an interesting matchup

The Mighty Ducks have finally found out who their Stanley Cup finals

opponent will be -- the Devil. The New Jersey Devils to be more

accurate. The Devils advanced to the finals by beating the Ottawa

Senators in seven games to earn yet another trip to the finals.

They will be the top seed and will entertain home ice advantage

with game one on Today at the Continental Airlines Arena. The Devils

will bring a playoff savvy veteran team, led by defensemen Scott

Stevens, Vezina candidate goaltender Marty Brodeur and goal scorers

such as Patrick Elias and Joe Niewendyk. In looking at this match up

the Ducks will go in as the quote underdog, which seems a little

silly with their post season success, but it is a position they are

very comfortable in nonetheless.

The Ducks have set the tone for each round by being able to win

the first game of the series’ in overtime and not only gaining

momentum but also home ice advantage.

This matchup has many interesting twists to it and none more

obvious than that of the off-season trade. Both teams needed upgrades

in certain areas and a deal was struck between these two teams that

has significantly altered both the chemistry and skill level for each

club.

The Ducks got what they needed in Petr Sykora, a speedy winger

with the ability to score goals. By leading the team in that category

this season, he certainly paid immediate dividends for the Ducks and

has remained hot during the playoff run.

The Devils received winger Jeff Friesen and defensemen Oleg

Tverdovsky in exchange for Sykora. Both have played well for the

Devils and Friesen has had a strong offensive impact during the year

and scored probably his biggest goal of his career in game seven

against Ottawa. Friesen scored the game winner with roughly two

minutes to play sending his team into a matchup against his former

team.

As a player it is always gratifying to show your former team that

they made a mistake by getting rid of you. Both teams will have that

extra incentive from Sykora, Friesen and Tverdovsky to show what they

have to offer.

This is a great story inside the story. I will keep an eye on this

little battle and keep you all posted on its impact during the

finals.

The other story is the tale of two brothers, the Niederamyers. Rob

of the Ducks and brother Scott of the Devils will be able to live the

dream of many siblings. Being able to face off against one another is

something special and both guys will have that extra incentive to be

better. The only thing that can be better than winning the Cup, is

winning it over your brother.

Scott already has a lead in the Cup department but this is the

chance for Rob and his Ducks to gain ground. The matchup between

these two teams gets more interesting all the time. Just wait for the

action on the ice to start.

Well, by now the coaches will have their game plans, the players

will be focused and it will be time to drop the puck and play for all

the marbles. The two teams play a similar style, both defensive

minded with the ability to counter attack from turnovers.

Players to watch in this series besides Friesen, Tverdovsky and

Sykora are certainly Jamie Lagenbrunner of the Devils and Adam Oates

of the Ducks. The greatest matchup is in the pipes between perennial

Vezina contender Mary Brodeur and the hottest guy in the hockey

world, J.S. Giguere. Both teams will rely on these two talents to win

the Cup and this will most likely determine the Conn Smythe Trophy

for the MVP of the playoffs. The winner of this series will have the

bragging rights of being the best in the National Hockey League and

will be able to get their hands on the Cup. The thought of being able

to hoist that Cup over one’s head and take a sip of bubbly out of it,

is almost enough for me to come out of retirement. For any hockey

player this is why you play and for me, I already have my old jersey

dusted off and ready to put on when the guys win the whole thing.

Four more wins and counting toward the Holy Grail of hockey.