The second season will start tomorrow for the Devils as they face the rival Flyers in the 1st Round of the playoffs.
I have read many reviews and many experts over the last few days. I am surprised that many are picking the Flyers in 7.

In my opinion... throw out the regular season as the Flyers have beaten the Devils in every game. For that same reason, throw out the fact that the Devils have beaten the Stanley Cup Champs, Penguins, every time this season as well.

Here are some of my thoughts;

Goaltending
Could be the biggest difference maker of the series. No doubt the edge is for the Devils and Martin Brodeur will have to steal at least one game in the series.
The question is, which Brian Boucher will emerge? Game 7 of Devils/Flyers still haunts him.

Forwards and Scoring
Zach Parise, Patrik Elias, Ilya Kovalchuk against Jeff Carter, Mike Richards, Simon Gagne to begin. Both sets can put the puck in the net and play defensively (yes, Kovalchuk has shown some improvement on his defensive game since coming to the Devils!)
The Question is, who else emerges from Travis Zajac, Jamie Langenbrunner, Brian Rolston against Danny Briere, Claude Giroux, James van Riemsdky?

Eric Lindros once said "In the playoffs, the team who has the best third line wins." Assuming each team's top six forwards evens itself out. In this case it is Dainius Zubrus, David Clarkson, Rob Niedermayer against Scott Hartnell, Daniel Carcillo, Arron Asham.

I do not have a big edge either way. I am hoping Kovalchuk can be that blackjack that either makes magic, or allows others to emerge due to the fact that of him being focused on. I am looking forward to seeing what Elias/Kovalchuk will do.

Defense
On paper the Flyers with Chris Pronger, Kimmo Timmonen, Braydon Coburn, Matt Carle look good. But the Devils have been a surprisingly good defensive bunch with a well rested Paul Martin, Andy Greene, Bryce Salvador and when they are on the same page, and drink the Kool Aid, they are a tough bunch. Speaking of toughness, which will be a theme in this series, I am hoping Bryce Salvador, Colin White and Martin Skoula can bring that and hang with the big boys.
No big edge either way.

Special Teams
-On the Power Play the Devils rank #11, while the Flyers are #3. Edge to the Flyers.
-On the Penalty Kill the Devils rank #13 while the Flyers are #11 by a very small margin.
-The Flyers are the second most penalized team while the Devils have the third least penalties. This will be a focal point in the series. The Flyers will play the Devils tough, they will try to get under the Devils' skin early on, they could take bad penalties (if the Devils are able to avoid getting sucked in). This is where I give a big margin to the Devils "IF" they can get their Power Play going. This will be the series breaker!

Coaches
Lemaire vs Laviolette. Old School vs New School.
Both have been at both ends of the spectrum and know what it takes to win. I respect both and like their styles. No edge.

Devils Series Breakers
Brodeur, Kovalchuk and Parise will win this series for the Devils.
Marty will have to steal one game in the series.
Kovalchuk will need to score on the PP.
Parise will need to poke pucks in the net on 5 on 5.

Most overrated stat
Stanley Cup Rings - Devils 14, Flyers 1

The Devils Advocate Prediction
Devils in 6 Games.
Flyers win one at The Rock and one at home.
Series will be physically draining for both teams.
Discipline and experience will take the Devils to Round 2.
Will be a good first round series.


Here is the Series schedule;

Game 1: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., at Devils
Game 2: Friday, 7:30 p.m., at Devils
Game 3: Sunday, 6 p.m., at Philadelphia
Game 4: April 20, 7:30 p.m., at Philadelphia
Game 5*: April 22, 7 p.m., at Devils
Game 6*: April 25, TBD, at Philadelphia
Game 7*: April 27, 7:30 p.m., Devils
* If necessary

Should I wear my Parise jersey, Brodeur, Elias or Red/Green Scot Stevens old school? Decisions, decisions... I may have to do the Parise for game 1.

It starts tomorrow.

Lets go Devils!

Truly yours,
The Devils Advocate

Join the Discussion: » Comments » Post New Comment

» Which player has the most pressure in camp?

» Zajac retires... as a Devil!

» Rookies - What has two games showed us?

» Five Questions facing the Devils - Woo & The Advocate Edition. *Updated*

» Devils Pipeline Battle - Who cracks the lineup?