Ok, so we're two games into the Stanley cup finals and people are already bold in their predictions for the Conn Smythe trophy. A LOT of people are claiming that the trophy should go to Daniel Alfredsson even if the Senators lose the series. I had a had a loooong conversation with a guy from Sweden a few hours ago on who should win it...and here's what i think:
Ok, so let's go through this step by step. Has Alfredsson been the best Sens player up to the finals? You could say that, but on the other hand the whole Spezza line has been awesome. Heatley is the playoff leader in points and assists, Alfredsson has the most goals and Spezza is second in goals and points...BUT...what has the Spezza line shown us in the finals? Pretty much nothing, except that they simply can't play against Ducks' checking line. And Conn Smythe usually goes to the player that plays great for the whole playoffs, not just the first three series. On the other hand Ray Emery has been awesome in my opinion these playoffs. If it wasn't for him the Sens would lose both games in the series by 3 goals at least. So if anyone is getting overlooked here it's Ray. Give the guy some credit for crying out loud.
What about the Ducks? Giguere? Prongs? Scott Niedermayer? Getzlaf? Pahlsson even?
Yeah, all of those guys could get it, after all there are at least two games left in the series. Pronger is tied for the lead in points for the Ducks, he's the leader in assists with 11 and has the best +/- rating of all the players in the finals with +8. Scott Niedermayer? I dunno to be honest. If he gets a few points as the series progresses then maybe. Getzlaf maybe, Pahlsson probably not. Everyone who says that one of these guys should get it has a legitimate point and can back it up with stats. But there's one guy whose stats don't speak for themselves. J.S. Giguere. Sure, he's been constantly good, just had a shutout last night, has a solid goals against avg., but the thing that stands out with Giguere is that he wasn't that great during the regular season, wasn't even a starter when the playoffs started, didn't have his mind on hockey because his son had an eye surgery and a lot of people expected Bryzgalov to be the starting goalie for these playoffs. If that happened, we would probably be watching a Detroit-Ottawa finals right now. If it wasn't for Giguere the Ducks wouldn't beat Detroit, maybe not even Vancouver. He had a great playoff run, and if the Ducks win the Cup then he gets the Conn Smythe.
Anyway, you see what you got me doing damn Swedes? Predicting the Conn Smythe trophy winner two games into the finals. :)
No comments:
Post a Comment