LORD STANLEY'S CUP (Sioux 7)

There are only two teams remaining out of 16 that entered the playoffs, and only one can skate the cup home. Anaheim and Ottawa, are the last teams standing, and neither has ever won the stanley cup. Anaheim made it to the Finals in 2003, only to be defeated by the Devils in game 7.







The Ducks have looked great at times this playoff season, but they have also shown a few weaknesses. The goalie, Giguere will have to be play much better, if they are to claim the cup. There defense is excellent, with the speedy offensive minded Niedermeyer and the stay at home, "crush 'em if they cross the blue-line" man Pronger. Also O'Donnell and Beauchemin have also been playing solid defense. Anaheims offensive will have to put up more goals in this series if they want to win. Selanne will need to step up his game, as well have solid contributions from McDonald, Getzlaf, and Penner just to name a few.

The Ducks can ill afford to get into a slug fest with Ottawa, it would be fun to watch, but could be disasterous for the Ducks. Anaheim needs to play there game, solid defense and take there chances on offense and the power play.



They suprised me with how the disposed of Buffalo in 5-games. The Senators have to be the hottest team in playoffs and they keep getting hotter, just like the weather. Ottawa seems to be scoring almost at will, which isn't good for anybody but Ottawa. They have fire power upfront, but what has been more impressive is the play of the defense and netminder. The question is can they keep up the good work in there own end? If they can they have a good shot at the cup.

The speedy forwards of Ottawa, will have to try and avoid being crushed by Chris Pronger. If Pronger can slow down, or intimidate, the Senators forwards, it could be a long battle for time and space on the ice.

THE PREDICTION

Both teams have a number of young players on there rooster, so nerves and inexperience could become a factor in the first couple of games. However, Anaheim does have an edge with a few of there veterans, like Scott Neidermeyer, who has a few cups under his breezers with the NJ Devils.

With the way hockey ratings are going, this could be a spectacular 7 game series that only a few fans watch. (I can't believe ESPN covers poker over hockey, considering you never see them scroll poker scores across the bottom, like MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, hmmm, makes me wonder.)

NBC will be covering the Stanley Cup Finals, the only bright spot I can see from this is they are going to have Don Cherry as a guest on the show. I hope they have some of his intermission show on TV and not just a snip-it of him occassionally.

This series is going to be interesting, and should go 7 games with Lord Stanley's Cup going to Ottawa. The Senators will take the Cup back to Canada, for the first time since 1993 when the Montreal Canadiens defeated the LA Kings. Call it karma, deja vu, but it gives me a feeling, Canadian team versus a team from California, different year, different teams, but same result.