By Brian Engblom Special to ESPN.com It has been a wild start to the NHL playoffs. I've had a chance to see a few of the matchups up close, and here's what I've been seeing. Flying in Philadelphia The Philadelphia Flyers looks like a confident, well-balanced team, one that has a much different look and feel from how they were earlier this season and in the last two playoff years. Craig Ramsay deserves a lot of credit. The interim head coach in Roger Neilson's absence has installed a tremendous amount of confidence.
The goals were going into the net thick and fast in that wacky 8-5 game last weekend, but the Red Wings showed they could win by scoring a lot of goals. Every team likes to know that they are capable of an offensive burst in the playoffs. The Red Wings are known for their defense, but they come away from the game knowing they can win any type of game. The Wings have tremendous confidence in their power play and have the two best units in the league; everyone they put on the ice is creative and productive. We always say goaltending and special teams are keys come playoff time, and the Wings are at the top of the list in both categories. Detroit is also getting quality play from their third and fourth lines. Kris Draper's line has been phenomenal. And Darren McCarty has been a Tasmanian Devil on the ice. He is going 100 mph and just destroying people. He is pounding players, not just finishing a check. His energy level has been contagious from the very first game. He even took some penalties in Game 1, and Scotty Bowman just let him go. McCarty's energy has transferred to the rest of the team. Stars can really stifle an opponent Dallas was really impressive in the first two games. The Stars stifled and stymied Edmonton, and the Oilers never really got their speed game established. The Stars did it pretty much the same way they have done it all season, and certainly since the end of November. They just methodically go about their business, especially with their defensive game. The results have been interesting considering the new players they have added this season. Last year's older, more experienced team was dismantled in the offseason, and they had to bring in new faces. But the newcomers got with Ken Hitchcock's program quickly.
The Penguins are such a dangerous team and have been the last couple of years because they have a great skill level. When they are full of confidence, as they are now, the Penguins are as tough to handle as any team in the league. They seem to have the puck all the time and can scare teams because they keep coming at you. Jaromir Jagr has been typically excellent. Every player he passes the puck to is filled with confidence. Right now it's Jan Hrdina. Teams don't focus on Hrdina, but his play has shown what the possibilities are for that team. The Penguins just have a good feel about themselves. Ron Tugnutt has made a big difference because he is a great team player on the ice and in the locker room. They are a much more confident team since the trade deadline and are just coming together at the right time. The Capitals seem to have lost all the great confidence and flow they had for most of the season. Teams never go through the playoffs unscathed. It's all about how a team is able to handle adversity. Washington is struggling with handling its current situation and better get its game back in a hurry. Brian Engblom is a color commentator and analyst for ESPN's NHL coverage. He played 11 seasons in the NHL. |
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