In figuring out the Ek factors I have taken many of your notes to
heart .These factors are BEYOND the basic x's and o's and skill
levels of each team. If a team has a higher Ek Factor on a given
night the skill level differences can be skewed by it. Just
because a team has a higher Ek Factor is does not mean that team will
win the game that night. But these factors can not be
ignored in hockey and we often do see them making a huge impact in the
game scores. It is the wonder of our sport!
Game 2 Carolina/Devils
1. Last Game Carry-Over: Devils 0, Carolina -3
The
Devils are basically unflappable when it comes to this. It is
only one game and they missed a week....yada, yada...Put a gun to Brodeur's
head two years from now and ask him about game one in round two and
he'd be hard pressed to remember anything. The Hurricanes learned
that throwing the puck on net against even the best in the world is a
always a good idea. They played a perfect game. If anything that
works against them tonight. They need to remember that this is a
very good team they are playing. Mark Messier once said. "Sometimes,
the worst kind of win early in a playoff series is a blowout
win." So this blowout actually hurts the Canes who have to battle
overconfidence and a let down in Game 2. If the Devils get blown
out again tonight this factor will shift to the Canes.
2. Revenge Factor: Devils +4, Carolina 0
Obviously, this is a proud team with a great coach.
3. Style Versus Opponent: Devils +2, Carolina +4
The
Hurricanes are probably the most versatile team in the East. They
are able to play all styles well. The Devils are much better when
they are counter attacking. The Devils depend on mentally
trapping a team as much as they do actually trapping a team. The
Hurricanes aren't intimidated in the least.
4. Faith in Goaltending: Devils +5, Carolina +4
Both teams believe in their goalies, the Canes believe in both of their guys!
5. Experience: Devils +3, Canes +1
6. Confidence vs. Frustration (negative numbers are frustration, positive are confidence): Devils 0, Hurricanes +3
The Devils had a tough win, but talking to people around them the frustation level is nil.
7. Aggressiveness: Devils +2, Hurricanes +4
The
Devils need to match Carolina here...This is a huge factor and has a lot
to do with the Devils learning what the Canes learned in games one and
two of the first series.
8. Positive Anger (a vendetta used to motivate): Devils 1, Hurricanes -1
This series really hasn't had that element "yet.".
9. Desperation Factor (who needs to win?): Devils +1, Hurricanes +2
The Devils aren't the kind of team that "Needs" a split. The Hurricanes still need to win game two to hold serve.
10. Below, Meeting, or Beyond Expectations (zero is meeting): Devils -1, Hurricanes +3
11. Fan Factor: Hurricanes +4
The
building was popping the other day. These fans are very happy
with where there team is right now, and would be OK even if they had a
clunker tonight.
Ek Factors (Totals): Hurricanes 21, Devils 17
(Teams are dead even, but home gives the Canes the Ek Factor tonight,
will it be enough to win two in a row?)
************************
Game Two- Senators/ Sabres
1. Last Game Carry-Over: Senators -2, Sabres +3
Tying and winning the way the Sabres did should give the Sabres momentum to start.
2. Revenge Factor: Senators 5, Sabres 0
Revenge is never stronger then after losing a game in a terrible way.
3. Style Versus Opponent: Senators 2, Sabers 3
Both
of these teams match up well against each other. The Sabres counter and
are harder to play the harder you push to create chances.
4. Faith in Goaltending: Senators -1, Sabres -3
I
know Emery had a terrible game, but he was very good versus
Tampa. Miller has looked nervous throughout the playoffs giving
up bad goals at bad times. The other side of this is that Biron
is much better than people seem to remember and we could see him in
this series. Confidence in him would start off high.
5. Experience: Senators 3, Sabres 1:
The
Sens need to utilize this simple fact and not get caught up in the kind
of game that Buffalo plays. The Sens have more styles available
to them. They need to get the Sabres behind. When the
Sabres lead games they win games. They trail, it is a totally
different ball game.
6. Confidence vs. Frustration (negative numbers are frustration, positive are confidence):
Senators 0, Sabres 4
The
Sens need to turn this around tonight. They are neither a super
confident or super frustrated bunch...it is in the balance right
now. The Sabres are in great shape mentally right now.
7. Aggressiveness:
Senators 2, Sabres 3
The
Sens need to match the level of the Sabres and start pounding the
smaller Sabres forwards. Right now the Sabres are doing what they
want to.
8. Positive Anger (a vendetta used to motivate):
Senators
3, Sabres 0. Plenty to look at in Game 1 for the Sens. The
Sabres don't have that "public enemy 1" that teams usually need at some
point in a series.
9. Desperation Factor (who needs to win?):
Senators 5, Sabres 1. Of Course
10. Below, Meeting, or Beyond Expectations (zero is meeting expectations):
Senators
-2, Sabres 3. This Senators team is a team whose window is
closing. Anything below a cup win is a loss in Ottawa.
11. Fan Factor: Senators 1
This
will be interesting to watch as the game develops for sure. It is
sometimes tough to play patient games like this one at home. The
Sens fans are a lot like Red Sox fans of the past, sometimes waiting
for the wheels to fall off...They are also incredibly supportive and will
be behind their team unless they sense a lack of effort.
The Ek
Factor: Senators 16, Sabres 15 ( The Ek Factor is slightly in the Sens
favor. The Sens are the more talented team and should be able to
take Game 2.)
***********************
Game 2 The Sharks/ Oilers
1. Last Game Carry-Over: Sharks 3, Oilers 2
The
Sharks at times dominated and the emotional let down looked to hit the
Oilers in the second period, and yet the Oilers were never out of
it. Sharks have to be glad that there is not a day off.
2. Revenge Factor: Sharks 0, Oilers 1
Game 1 wasn't really a game that would carry a lot of revenge with it.
3. Style Versus Opponent: Sharks 2, Oilers3
The
Sharks are a tougher match than the Wings were for sure. The
Oilers need to skate and forecheck more than they did for most of game
1. The Sharks don't respond that well to that kind of play.
The Preds didn't do enough in game 1. Defending the Sharks starts
with cycling the puck 200 feet from your own net.
4. Faith in Goaltending: Sharks 3, Oilers 3
Both goalies have their teams believing in them.
5. Experience: Sharks 1, Oilers 2
Neither team really is led by a ton of veteran guys. Pronger and Thornton are the obvious leaders.
6. Confidence vs. Frustration (negative numbers are frustration, positive are confidence):
Sharks 3, Oilers 3
Both teams are still riding fairly high from round one. This will be fun to watch as things go through the series.
7. Aggressiveness: Sharks 3, Oilers 1
The
biggest difference in Game 1 was the obvious fear the Oilers have of
giving the Sharks power plays. They need to find a happy middle
ground. The Sharks were the aggressor on too many occasions in
game 1.
8. Positive Anger (a vendetta used to motivate):
Sharks 0, Oilers 0. Still to develop in this series. Both teams are too happy right now to be in the second round.
9. Desperation Factor (who needs to win?):
Sharks 1, Oilers 3
The
Oilers have to not think they can coast until they get home.
Edmonton loves them right now, but going home 2-0 leaves little room
for error and really puts things in a tough spot.
10. Below, Meeting, or Beyond Expectations (zero is meeting):
Sharks 2, Oilers 4
The Oilers get a one game mulligan after knocking off Detroit.
11. Fan Factor: Sharks +3
The
fans are starting to sense that something special is happening at the
Tank. It really took them by surprise. I guess that happens
when a team goes from struggling to make the playoffs to conference
favorites in a month.
The Ek Factor: Sharks 21, Oilers 22
(A minor advantage to the Oilers tonight. Will it be enough to
stop Thornton and Co.?)
***************
Enjoy the Hockey!
Ek
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