| Pierre McGuire's Breakdown |
|---|
| Philadelphia |
|
Buffalo |
| More pure offensive firepower than Buffalo, but the absence of Eric Lindros will be a factor. Mark Recchi must step up to create five-on-five
points. |
OFFENSE The Edge:
 |
Addition of Doug Gilmour makes a lot of players better, including Miroslav Satan and Curtis Brown. It now looks as if the Sabres are
getting more from Vaclav Varada and Dixon Ward, too. If Mike Peca makes his
presence felt on offense, Philadelphia could be in trouble. |
|
| Gave up the fewest goals -- believe it or not -- in the Eastern Conference. Eric Desjardins is important in his own end, but the
Flyers' best defense is puck possession in the offensive zone, thus they
don't spend much time in their own zone. |
DEFENSE The Edge:
 |
It begins with the best young tandem in the National Hockey League
right now: Rhett Warrener and Jay McKee. Alexei Zhitnik is feeling better and
Richard Smehlik was solid down the stretch. This defensive unit doesn't get
enough credit on the whole. |
|
| Brian Boucher shows some promise, but he could not have drawn a
tougher assignment to start his playoff career. |
IN GOAL The Edge:
|
The greatest goalie in the world is back and as focused as ever. Dominik Hasek is the man, but if he goes down Martin Biron will be ready to step in. |
|
| This team is outstanding on the power play. You've got to be very
careful of Recchi and his ability to move the puck from the point position. |
PP The Edge:
|
The same Buffalo power play that was unbelievable in the playoffs last year became the worst in the league this year. Jason Woolley and
Stu Barnes are the keys to turning it around. |
|
| Very solid with young gun Simon Gagne and solid vet Jody Hull
leading the way. Interim coach Craig Ramsay has really helped to develop this unit. |
PK The Edge:
None |
The Sabres are lucky to have players like Peca and Ward at their disposal. But this team would be wise
to stay out of the box and limit its time short-handed. |
|
| Ramsay is a smart and talented coach, but his team may not be as
focused as it has to be. The Lindros saga continues to be an almost daily
distraction, and it could play a role in how well Ramsay coaches. |
COACH The Edge:
None |
Lindy Ruff and company has been there before and the team believes in
the staff. Still, Ruff has to get his men to take fewer penalties and steer
clear of the referees. |
|
| They have size and slightly improved mobility from a year ago.
However, the Flyers still have to do a better job of playing consistently for a
full 60 minutes. |
INTANGIBLES The Edge:
|
Hard-hat mentality seems to be back. Whatever has bothered this team
for most of the season appears to be gone. |
|
| The blazing speed of Gagne and the unheralded offense of Daymond
Langkow. |
X-FACTOR The Edge:
|
Internal leadership of Peca, the fantastic two-way play of Doug
Gilmour, and the goaltending of Hasek. |
| McGuire's Prediction: Buffalo in 5 |
|---|
| |
