Page 35 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 124

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #120 January 2023 35

Over The Boards - The Final 8

Ilya Samsonov outdueled all world They play a strong system based and having captain Mark Stone and
Tampa goalie Andrei Vasilevsky in on speed, strong puck pursuit, and dynamic centre Jack Eichel back, is
the previous round. Sergei Bobrovsky counter attacks. Dallas has offensive huge. Their opponent, the Edmonton
only appeared on the scene for Game firepower and a potent power play Oilers, are coming off a six game
By Brad Robertson
4 in the Florida Boston series but was led by forwards Jason Robertson, series win over a pesky LA Kings
key in their series win. Both teams Jamie Benn, playoff scoring leader team. Leon Draisatl led the way
have decent cores of defencemen. Rope Hintz, and vets Tyler Seguin, in that series offensively. In this
The series should be close, but I am and Joe Pavelski who is looking to matchup with the Golden Knights
giving Toronto the edge as they are a return from a concussion suffered the the Oilers hope that their offence gets
bit deeper and their trade acquisitions series with the Wild. Stars goaltender hot and their talented top offensive
of Ryan O Reilly, Noel Acciari, and Jake Oettinger was brilliant in the stars Draisatl, Conor McDavid, Ryan
the insertion of rookie Matthew Wild series and if he continues that Nugent Hopkins, and Evander Kane
Knies provide the Leafs with more solid play, then Seattle will have a put up points and lead the way. The
depth to get through this round. tough time winning another round. Oilers power play is tops in the league
I predict the Stars to prevail in this and if Vegas can stay disciplined,
The other Eastern Conference
matchup is between the Carolina series. their depth can be factor in this series
Hurricanes and the New Jersey In the other Western Conference as they are a four-line team and have
a more balanced attack. This series
Devils. This should be an entertaining series, the top seeded Vegas Golden
ell, the NHL playoffs are in series. Carolina has a lot more recent Knights made quick work after is destined to go the distance and I
Wfull swing, and we are entering playoff experience than the upstart dropping game one of their series see McDavid and company getting
the quarterfinal rounds. Let’s take a Devils, but the Devils have youth with the Winnipeg Jets and won through to the Conference Final.
look at the matchups. and talent on their side; on the the next four games to win in five. Enjoy the best time of the NHL

In the Eastern Conference the offensive side with Jack Hughes, Vegas got healthy at the right time, season everybody!
Toronto Maple Leafs exorcised some Nico Hischier, and Dawson Mercer
playoff demons that were nineteen leading the way. Carolina is missing Cornwall’s Oldest Paint,
Blind & Shutter Store.
years old. They hadn’t won a first 32 goal scorer Andrei Svechnikov, as Family owned Business Since 1988
round matchup since back in 2004, well as key forwards Max Pacioretty
and the pressure was on this group and Teuvo Teravainen, due to injury. Presents “Famous Sports Quotes”
to make it happen, and they finally Devils’ goaltender Akira Schmid
did by knocking off the defending came on in Game 4 of the Rangers “Everyone on your team is important… importance knows no
Eastern Conference Stanley Cup - Devils series and has been stellar rank.” Mike Krzyzewski
finalist Tampa Bay Lightning. It with a 1.72 GAA and save % of
wasn’t easy but they prevailed .937. Carolina has the experience,
in six games. Their quarterfinal but the Devils are coming off a big
ALL BLINDS
opponent, the Florida Panthers, series with after being down 0-2 to
basically shocked the world and a tough New York Rangers team and ALL BLINDS
knocked off the Presidents Trophy the Canes only squeaked by the wild
winning Boston Bruins in a seven card seeded New York Islanders. I
game upset of epic proportions, as give the advantage in this series to UP UP %
the Bruins were 43 points better than the Devils and believe they will get SAVE 50
the Panthers in the regular season. In through to the Eastern Conference TO TO
this quarter final matchup up there Final.
is plenty of firepower on both sides In the Western Conference the SOL-R
with the likes of Austen Matthews, Seattle Kraken upset the defending
Mitch Marner, John Tavares, William Stanley Cup champion Colorado Since 1988
Nylander and company, for Toronto, Avalanche in seven games, and now Celebrating 35 years
and of course Matthew Tkachuk, have a date with the Dallas Stars who
Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Rienhart, beat the Minnesota Wild. Seattle is a Paints, Blinds, Shutters Quality & Service At The Right Price!
and Alexander Barkhov for Florida. well-coached team that doesn’t rely
Goaltending will be interesting as on any one player to lead the way. 240 Pitt Street • 613-933-8924 • www.jas-mar.com