Yeah, should be a good series and I'm really looking forward to it...although I would have much rather been facing the Flames right now.
Nevertheless, we performed well against the Oilers this season and that was even long before this Sharks team was assembled so I know they're beatable.
Guess I'll just break it down like last series since icarus has already done such a great job with his preview.
1st Lines
Edmonton
Gagne 80ov - Lecavalier 83ov - Alfredsson 82ov
San Jose
Cheechoo 80ov - Sedin 80ov - Hossa 82ov
Advantage:
Edmonton
Close, but gotta give a slight edge to the Oil for Lecavalier's obvious OV advantage, although the Sharks have better SC on the wings. Vince and Alffie are going to need to be shutdown by our D to leave room for the Sharks forwards to gain an advantage.
2nd Lines
Edmonton
Sharp 74ov - Zetterberg 81ov - Iginla 82ov
San Jose
Kariya 80ov - Whitney 79ov - Afinogenov 79ov
Advantage: Draw
Too close to call given the Oil have the two best players but the Sharks have a big advantage on LW on this line. Whether it's Cheechoo or Kariya, that added highly rated winger could be the difference when these two lines meet.
3rd Lines
Edmonton
Perrin 71ov - Bergeron 79ov - Dumont 77ov
San Jose
Sturm 76ov - Yashin 78ov - Carter 75ov
Advantage:
San Jose
Bergeron is the highest rated, but I think the experience and well rounded ability on the Sharks third line will give us the advantage here. Carter has been a stud so far in the playoffs and will need to continue that great play.
4th Lines
Edmonton
Amonte 71ov - Robitaille 73ov - Grier 74ov
San Jose
Afanasenkov 72ov - McAmmond 73ov - Svitov 70ov
Advantage:
Edmonton
Pretty evenly matched 4th line with a slight advantage going to the Oilers. Not sure any of these guys will get much ice time anyways.
D Pair 1
Edmonton
Hamrlik 79ov - Rivet 75ov
San Jose
Niedermayer 85ov - Malik 77ov
Advantage:
San Jose
Only way we're going to come out on top in this series is through our Defense. If Neids can keep putting up big points and Malik stay at 100%, they may be able to keep the ice clear in front of Belfour enough for the offense to outscore the Oil.
D Pair 2
Edmonton
Roszival 76ov - Skrastins 74ov
San Jose
Ohlund 80ov - Allen 77ov
Advantage:
San Jose
Ohlund and Allen are a perfect fit together and both play great defensive hockey. They will need to play at the top of their game throughout the series to keep the Hawks out of Belfour's face.
D Pair 3
Edmonton
Lukowich 72ov - Wallin 73ov
San Jose
Greene 73ov - Campoli 72ov
Advantage:
Edmonton
Although the OV ratings are identical, I have to give the Oilers the edge here for experience. Still, I have faith in Greene and whoever he plays with, whether it be Mezei or Campoli.
Goaltending
Edmonton
Brodeur 85ov
Lalime 75ov
San Jose
Belfour 79ov
Osgood 76ov
Advantage:
Edmonton
Pretty much the same story here as it was against Chicago but Brodeur is even slightly better still. He's going to be tough to beat enough to win four games but seeing the Flames do some damage gave me a ray of hope. Belfour was very impressive in round 1 too, so he'll obviously need to keep up that fine form to keep us in games, although Osgood impressed in his start as well.
Looking forward to a great series versus the Oilers! Overall, they have a much stronger team than the Hawks did and arguably the best forward line up in the CPHL so I'll be pretty impressed even if we can make a series out of it.
May the best team win!
Oilers/Sharks - Series Preview
