Motion offense

Signs, and the laws of physics, point to Game 1 Devils win

The key figure in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals could be Anaheim goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere, or it could be his New Jersey counterpart, Martin Brodeur. But, at least early in the game, Isaac Newton will have as much to say about the outcome as either netminder. In his first law of physics Newton said -- and I'm paraphrasing here -- that objects in motion tend to stay in motion, and objects at rest tend to stay at rest.

The Devils, who needed seven games to eliminate the Senators in the Eastern Conference finals, have been in motion far more than the Mighty Ducks lately. Anaheim swept Minnesota out of the Western Conference finals and last played on May 16. Now, two days off at this time of year is a welcome chance for a player to catch his breath. And four days might allow some of the bumps and bruises accumulated in six weeks of playoff hockey to heal. But 11 days off is like summer hiatus for a sitcom actor; it might take some time to get back into character when you return to work.

Ducks head coach Mike Babcock, who's known for his up-tempo practices, worked his charges hard during the early-summer vacation. (Last week the team ran a scrimmage complete with referees.) "I think I was more tired after a couple of his practices than some of the games," says center Rob Niedermayer. "He was really putting us through our paces."

"They think they have been at training camp all over again," says Babcock. "We worked really hard. We had a scrimmage in between, but there is nothing like the game."

Which is why the Devils should have the advantage on Tuesday night. The Ducks' rust will likely show in their zone, though Giguere won't be the problem. The notion that Jiggy was an average goalie on a world-class hot streak in the first three rounds is flawed. Disney karma is unlikely to survive an 11-day lull in the schedule, but Giguere stonewalled the Red Wings, Stars and Wild with sound positioning and near-perfect fundamentals, not luck. Expect him to be sharp in Game 1.

But Giguere also benefits greatly from the cocoon his defense builds around his crease. It's easier to sneak into Disneyland without your day pass than it is to get a shot through the thicket of Anaheim sticks, arms and legs that block the net, and Giguere often has a choice of four teammates within spitting distance when he's deflecting a rebound. Breakdowns in setting up that human shield -- it might be a missed assignment, it might be a defenseman skating a step behind the play -- could be disastrous for the Ducks. In Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals the Stars roughed up the Anaheim defense and had free reign in front of the net. The result: Giguere had his worst game of the playoffs and was yanked after two periods.

The Devils aren't very imposing offensively, but they're merciless when it comes to capitalizing on opponents' mistakes. (Ask the Senators, who outplayed New Jersey in Game 7, only to lose, 3-2.) Babcock said he expects there will be a "feel-out process" early in Game 1. One mistake while they're getting back into the flow of playoff hockey could cost the Ducks. The Devils are undefeated at home this postseason, and they haven't lost a game in which they've scored first.

"The first period is going to be a key," says Giguere. "We might be a little bit rusty. I think we need to push through that." It shouldn't take long for the Ducks to get their playoff legs, but sometimes the first period is all the Devils need. Don't be surprised if Brodeur makes an early goal stand up and New Jersey takes the lead in the series.

Sports Illustrated staff writer Stephen Cannella covers the NHL for the magazine and will contribute frequently to SI.com throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs.

 

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