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Thursday, February 1, 2001
Opponents for a day … and a Cup at stake
By Brian Engblom
Special to ESPN.com
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The format of the All-Star game – the North American stars versus the European stars – is going to result in several interesting matchups pitting teammates against one another. Let's face it, though. This isn't the most combative atmosphere. Hitting is light and offense will rule the day. We'll see these players exhibit their skill and talent and they will make great plays. But players who thrive on a physical game will not be showing their true colors in Denver on Sunday.
But how would those teammates play against each other if everything was on the line in a playoff game? How would Joe Sakic fare facing off against Peter Forsberg? How would Scott Stevens handle Alexander Mogilny on an odd-man rush?
Joe Sakic
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Peter Forsberg
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Forsberg is more physical, but Sakic has the points
Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg play two very different styles. Joe is a results-oriented guy. He plays with the precision of a surgeon. He sees open spaces, he calculates and makes logical plays. He is ultra-skilled – a great passer and shooter. When he plays with talented players, as we've seen this season as the chemistry has developed with his linemates, he is an exceptional give-and-go player. Due to his tremendous speed and quickness, he is able to dart from opening to opening, always in position to make or take the perfect pass and unload a great shot quickly.
I wish Forsberg shot the puck the way Sakic does. Forsberg has the shots – an excellent wrist shot and very good slapshot – but he's not as inclined to shoot the puck as Sakic is. Forsberg doesn't see the game the same way Sakic does. Peter is more of an artist. He has tremendous skills and is considered by many to be the best two-way player in the game. He likes to hang onto the puck and make plays. But he also likes to do things in an unexpected fashion.
On top of all that, Forsberg is a much more physical player than Sakic. I've seen him dish out some great checks when he has the puck. He has the ability to put the puck in his feet while he's stickhandling, drill a player who is trying to stop him, kick the puck back to his stick and continue on. Joe can take the physical play, but he's not as likely to go after it. They both put up points, but see the game in completely different ways. But results are results and Sakic gets the edge in production.
Alexander Mogilny
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Scott Stevens
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Stevens has intimidation on his side
Alexander Mogilny is having his best year since the '92-'93 season when he scored 76 goals for Buffalo. He's back at that peak level and his confidence has returned. He is showing his skills once again. He has terrific speed and quickness and a creative mind to make plays when there doesn't seem to be anything available. While it's natural that a player is better when he has better teammates, Mogilny can do things one-on-one that not many others can. He has one of the best wrist shots in the league and, because he's more confident, he's using it more.
But, if he goes head-to-head against Devils' teammate Scott Stevens, it's another story. Scott gets all the recognition in the world for being a tough, hard-nosed, physical guy. But he doesn't get as much notice for his intelligence. He knows what the best assets of an opponent are and will try to neutralize them through intimidation. He's like a boxer preparing for a fight because no one goes mano-a-mano more than Stevens. He is assigned every night to the best forward on the other team.
So Stevens studies and prepares and never gives up in a battle. He's relentless. Because of his experience and his ability to read the ice the way the scorers do, Scott's there before his opponent. He has such confidence in his physical abilities that he'll get in the face of someone like Alexander Mogilny and not have to leave room to react. He will never leave a six-foot cushion to make sure he can make a play.
He will also pick his spots to dictate the play defensively. Since he has a good idea where the forward is going to go, he can take runs at them and play on his terms instead of reacting. Now, most skilled players like Mogilny have a very attuned sense about when they're going to get hit and can usually avoid those situations. But even a near-miss by Stevens makes the hair on the back of their neck stand up.
No defenseman in the league can control his own environment and put the onus back on the forward better than Stevens. Great forwards can sense defensemen on their heels. They can smell fear and will pick your carcass clean. But Stevens takes play to the forwards with confidence. He attacks, hurts and leaves forwards wondering how they're going to survive instead of how they're going to beat him.
On any given night this matchup could turn in favor of Mogilny or Stevens, but over the course of a series the edge goes to Stevens.
Brian Engblom is a hockey analyst for ESPN. He played 11 seasons in the NHL as a defenseman, including six with the Montreal Canadiens.
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ALSO SEE
Shactman: Teammates vs. Teammates
Where East meets West
2001 NHL All-Star Game coverage
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