The 2015 National Hockey League Stanley Cup Playoffs: Series Analysis

As the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Finals get underway, I would like to dissect this series between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Chicago Blackhawks. This should be a good primer for a fan of the sport as well as those just flipping past NBC on their way to other programming. What follows are factors that can decide who is awarded the Stanley Cup:

Goaltending: Tampa Bay Lightning : Ben Bishop stands tall in net figuratively as well as literally. At 6’7’’ tall, he has a 5 inch height advantage over Chicago’s  goalie Corey Crawford…Ben Bishop has been able to rely on his team’s defense to prevent shots getting to the net, which give him less traffic to deal with. However, Bishop can make excellent saves when his team is protecting a lead.

Chicago Blackhawks: Stanley Cup Champion netminder Corey Crawford is a great goaltender… Chicago’s style of play evenly distributes the burden of defense between the three forwards, the two defensemen, and the goaltender on the ice during every shift…Crawford has seen more offense-minded teams in the Western Conference, which gives him the edge in fielding shots that approach his net.

AHL Calder Cup Finals Experience v.s NHL Stanley Cup Finals Experience:  Tampa Bay Lightning: This team has not been in the NHL finals since they won the Stanley Cup in 2004. While the franchise has no recent championships to speak of, that does not mean that their roster of former American Hockey League (AHL) stars lacks recent experience. In the 2011-2012 Calder Cup Tournament, the Norfolk Admirals went on to defeat the Toronto Marlies for the AHL championship. While they would go on to become the Syracuse Crunch the following season, the following names were etched into the Calder Cup as the 2011-2012 Champion Norfolk Admirals: Forwards Mike Angelidis, Tyler Johnson, Alex Killorn, and Ondrej Palat; Defenseman Mark Barberio. 

  

Chicago Blackhawks: They last appeared in the NHL finals in 2013, when they defeated the Boston Bruins to win the Stanley Cup. The team’s chemistry has remained mostly intact, which only enhances the experience edge in this match-up. Among the Blackhawks to be a part of the journey to a 3^rd championship in 6 years, here  are a few examples of players who were  a part of the 2010 or 2013 championship rosters: Forwards Bryan Bickell, Marian Hossa, Patrick Kane, and  Patrick Sharp; Defensemen Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook; Goaltender Corey Crawford. 

Team Dynamics: Tampa Bay Lightning:  They have the veteran leadership to nurture the youth on their team. Through their AHL Affiliates -Syracuse Crunch and Norfolk Admirals-Tampa Bay has been able to create the solid offense it has today. These players, among many, have made contributions there and continue to do so: Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat, Alex Killorn.

Chicago Blackhawks:  An Original 6 team, Chicago relies on their championship roster for its experience and effectiveness. History shows that Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane have matured into their leadership roles....Duncan Keith has been able to anchor their defense...Cory Crawford has proven himself a Conn Smyth Trophy candidate in the playoffs.

New York Rangers Effect: Tampa Bay Lightning: The New York Rangers tie to this NHL team comes with the trade that sent Tampa Bay’s team captain Martin St. Louis to the Rangers in exchange for Rangers’ team captain Ryan Callahan...Free agency would see further intrigue as Brian Boyle and Anton Stralman signed with Tampa Bay after their Rangers' contracts expired and Tampa Bay's Michael Kostka agreed to terms with the New York Rangers...While Stralman and Boyle remained on the Tampa Bay Lightning roster for much of the season; Kostka split his time between the New York Rangers and their AHL affiliate, The Hartford Wolfpack.

Chicago Blackhawks: As part of the new CBA, the New York Rangers were gifted two compliance buyouts. While the first was used on Wade Redden, the Rangers waited until June of 2014 to use their second on Brad Richards. Richards signed with the Blackhawks as soon as Free Agency began a month later. He has added to the leadership on his new team, and is now facing former teammates Ryan Callahan, Anton Stralman, and Brian Boyle in the 2015 Stanley Cup Finals.

 

Key Players:  Tampa Bay Lightning: Forwards Brian Boyle, Ryan Callahan, Tyler Johnson, Alex Killorn, Nikita Kucherov, and Steven Stamkos; Defensemen Anton Stralman, Andrej Sustr; Goaltender Ben Bishop

Chicago Blackhawks: Forwards Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp, and  Antoine Vermette; Defensemen Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook; Goaltender Corey Crawford

Final Overall Assessment: This series is really about youth versus experience. The Blackhawks have been at the pinnacle of hockey supremacy twice before in recent memory...While they have that knowledge on their side, Chicago should not take Tampa Bay lightly; Tampa Bay has been able to use their speed against the more experienced teams and won...This series will come down to the age-old sports question: “Who wants it more?”

Tampa Bay Lightning Forward Ryan Callahan(#24)

Chicago Blackhawks Forward Patrick Sharp

The 2015 National Hockey League Stanley Cup Playoffs: Round 4

Round 3 Recap: It was a clash of the solid offenses in the Western Conference finals. 3 of the 7 games were decided in overtime as both Anaheim and Chicago had strong defense and goaltending. The series between them created an exciting atmosphere as the offense fulfilled its crucial role…Meanwhile in the East, Former New York Rangers Ryan Callahan, Brian Boyle, and Anton Stralman were able to lead the youth of the Tampa Bay Lightning to victory. Their gritty style of play created opportunities for Tyler Johnson, and Nikita Kucherov to show off their skills against a tough New York Rangers team…Key Returns: Ryan Callahan (Tampa Bay Lightning)…Key Injuries: Ryan McDonagh (New York Rangers-Played With Broken Foot); Braydon Coburn (Tampa Bay Lightning-Limited Play In Game 5 Due To Illness); Michal Rozsival(Chicago Blackhawks- Out Remainder of the Playoffs After Breaking Ankle In Prior Playoff Series Against the Minnesota Wild)

Eastern Conference Final Results (A.K.A “The Lightning Are In the Finals Again”)

Atlantic Division-#2-Tampa Bay Lightning-won in 7 games

Metropolitan Division-#1, President’s Trophy winners, and Eastern Conference Champions-The New York Rangers

Western Conference Final Results (A.K.A “Chicago Blackhawks’ Successful Duck Hunt”)

Central Division-#3-Chicago Blackhawks-won in 7 games

Pacific Division-#1 and Western Conference Champions-Anaheim Ducks

Round 4: This is the moment that fans and teams alike have waited for since October. The Stanley Cup and its handlers are prepared to be present as soon as the final seconds tick off the clock of that final game. One city gets bragging rights all summer along with the burden of wearing the mantle of champion. As one city celebrates, the other is left with the regret of what could have been, and their organization looks forward to the reconstruction necessary to make their team ready for next season.

The Eastern Conference will be represented by the Tampa Bay Lightning.  Their adversaries from the Western Conference are the Chicago Blackhawks. Both these teams have worked hard to get to this point. The match-up is going to be interesting to watch if one is a fan of great offensive-driven hockey. The goaltending will have to be stellar. There may even be a few long nights as a game goes into an extra overtime session. 

Atlantic Division-#2-Tampa Bay Lightning

Central Division-#3-Chicago Blackhawks

To follow the action as it develops, you can find NHL Stanley Cup Final action beginning Wednesday, June 3^rd, 2015. Check your local listings and NHL.com for dates and times. 

The 2015 National Hockey League Stanley Cup Playoffs: Round 3

Round 2 Recap:  The Western Conference had two exciting match-ups that thrived on a superb offense guarded by a solid defense… In the East, defense was the strongest aspect of play, and games hinged on who could score in the last minutes of regulation and overtime…Goaltenders were on display as they made amazing saves to keep their teams in the game… Key Injuries:  Mats Zuccarello and Dan Boyle (New York Rangers), Ryan Callahan (Tampa Bay Lightning), and Michal Rozsival (Chicago Blackhawks) …NHL Record Broken: New York Rangers set record for most consecutive playoff games decided by one goal (14)

The Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division

#1- Montreal Canadiens

#2-Tampa Bay Lightning-won in 6 games

Metropolitan Division

#1, President’s Trophy winners, and Eastern Conference Champions-The New York Rangers-won in 7 games

#2-Washington Capitals

The Western Conference:

Central Division

#4-Minnesota Wild

#3-Chicago Blackhawks-won in 4 consecutive games

Pacific Division

#1 and Western Conference Champions-Anaheim Ducks-won in 5 games

#3-Calgary Flames

Round 3: The best teams of the East and West face off to decide who advances to the Stanley Cup Finals. Each division has a representative determined to earn the right to claim the NHL’s prized trophy.

 Eastern Conference Final (A.K.A   “What’s a Stanley Cup Title Between Former Friends?”)

Atlantic Division-#2-Tampa Bay Lightning

Metropolitan Division-#1, President’s Trophy winners, and Eastern Conference Champions-The New York Rangers

New York gets to play Tampa Bay, a team who bolstered its offense this past season. The addition of former New York Rangers Ryan Callahan, Anton Stralman, and Brian Boyle to Tampa Bay’s roster gave them Stanley Cup Final experience…New York has solid defense and great goaltending in Henrik Lundqvist. On their side is Stanley Cup Final experience in former Tampa Bay players who won are 2004 NHL Champions- Dan Boyle and Martin St. Louis.

Western Conference Final (A.K.A “The Windy City Meets The West Coast”)

Central Division-#3-Chicago Blackhawks

Pacific Division-#1 and Western Conference Champions-Anaheim Ducks

Both teams have a series sweep in their playoff journey so far… The Chicago Blackhawks have been Stanley Cup champions as recently as 2013, with Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews as their guides into greatness… Anaheim won the Stanley Cup in 2007 and built a good team off of that success.

The NHL Conference Finals are underway.

Marvel Universe Assemble! -“The Avengers” Double Feature

April 30^th, 2015-New York, NY-Fans lined up for over two hours outside the AMC Loews 34^th Street  14 theater for "the Avengers" Double Feature. I was lucky to be one of the many in line for the sold-out dual presentations of “The Avengers” and “Avengers: Age of Ultron”.

The event was run orderly. By 3:30pm, there were two lines: one for the Real3D showing in Theater 4 and the other for the IMAX 3D presentation set for Theater 13. Staff did a silent count as they allowed fans inside to present their tickets. With eager anticipation, the crowd found the line that snaked outside the theater. The reward to this wait was a lanyard featuring the cast and event details, a limited edition film poster, and an opportunity to enjoy the latest chapter in the Marvel film saga. Fans entered the theater with their promotional gifts and IMAX 3D glasses and settled into their seats; my seats were 3^rd row center.

There was a quick trivia question about the Hulk before “the Avengers” began at 4:00pm. The crowd was wrapped up in the action of this film and reacted as they were seeing it for the first time. From the viewpoint of a cinema fan, I saw that the audience’s connection to the story grew as the movie drew them into the plot emotionally. As a member of the Marvel Universe, I loved revisiting the first film that united Thor, the Hulk, Captain America, Black Widow, Ironman, and Hawkeye under Nick Fury’s Avengers Initiative.

After a 30 minute break that included trivia, the premiere of “Avengers: Age of Ultron” began at 7:00pm. The film drew the audience right into the story and never let up on the thrills. Anyone who knew Marvel cheered and gasped as the characters were tested with challenge after challenge. I can even recall there being times when the theater fell into a reverent hush. “Avengers: Age of Ultron” was masterful at engaging the fans. So much happened that any additional information would seem like a spoiler.  That said, I can say I look forward to the time when “The Avengers will return” to the big screen.