I'm writing this, watching the last game of round one. It just seems right that the series that nobody watched, Florida and New Jersey, gets overtime in game seven. The first round is by far my favorite round, simply due to quantity and quality. There are so many games, and they are all generally great games. The first two weeks of the playoffs are my favorite by far. Lastly, I can't let round one go without saluting my boys from DC. It was great to see the Caps get the OT winner in game seven. Now back to your regularly scheduled Coyotes blogging.
Here are the match-ups to watch in the Coyotes/Predators series:
1. Goaltending. Pecca Rinne vs. Mike Smith. Rinne has been great all year. Steady in the net. Smith is on fire now, but keep in mind, he had his moments this season when we were all asking for Jason LaBarbera.
2. Coyotes atars vs. Nashville defense. Phoenix needs Shane Doan, Radim Vrbarta and Ray Whitney to show up, and show up big time. Nashville's top four defensemen are going to provide a good challenge, but they just aren't that deep.
3. Alexander Radulov vs. The Phoenix Coyotes. Radulov is the one player on the Predators that could single handedly win the series if he gets hot. It's going to be a tall task for Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Keith Yandle to contain him. We all know that they will be his shadow on the ice
This is going to be a tough test for the Coyotes. Nashville is big, tough and physical, a lot like Phoenix. I expect this to be a long, hard fought, and maybe even dirty series. I miss Raffi Torres already.
Still no winner between the Devils and Panthers, I'm savoring this one until it's over.
Let's Go Yotes! See you at Jobing.com tomorrow!
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