I've moved this from the Sabres v. Canes thread since its more appropriate. Plus, we need a Stanley Cup Finals thread anyways.
In response to Juan's post
http://www.canadiancontent.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15613&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
Perhaps, but the NHL has a long history of underdogs whom nobody thought would get to the finals coming out of nowhere and playing a top ranked team in the finals but not winning.
Here is a list of the finalists
http://www.sportsfansofamerica.com/Links/Hockey/NHL/StanleyCupHistory.htm
Off the top of my head, the following teams were surprise underdogs that got to the finals only to lose to the highly ranked team.
2004 Calgary Flames
2003 Anaheim Mighty Ducks
2002 Carolina Hurricanes
1999 Buffalo Sabres
1998 Washington Capitals
1996 Florida Panthers
1994 Vancouver Canucks
1991 Minnesota North Stars
1982 Vancouver Canucks
1981 Minnesota North Stars
1979 New York Rangers
The only year I can remember the underdogs beating the heavy favourite was
1995 New Jersey Devils
Nobody expected
1993 Montreal Canadiens
1986 Montreal Canadiens
But in 93, the Habs played the Kings, and in 86 they beat the Flames, both of which weren't considered powerhouses.
Of course, history is bunk. The Steelers became the first team to win the Super Bowl as a #6 seed this year.
The one edge I believe Edmonton has is in goal, with Roloson. However, I believe that the Oilers have been outshot most games in the playoffs and I don't think Roloson is truly a world-class goalie.
I had heard during the Anaheim series that the team winning in this year's playoffs have been outshot 72% of the time. That's staggering.
I think this match-up is similar to the last Stanley Cup, apart from it being an Alberta team facing a team from the South. But Carolina is a better team and will prevail.
The Canes in 6 or 7.
In response to Juan's post
http://www.canadiancontent.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15613&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
Perhaps, but the NHL has a long history of underdogs whom nobody thought would get to the finals coming out of nowhere and playing a top ranked team in the finals but not winning.
Here is a list of the finalists
http://www.sportsfansofamerica.com/Links/Hockey/NHL/StanleyCupHistory.htm
Off the top of my head, the following teams were surprise underdogs that got to the finals only to lose to the highly ranked team.
2004 Calgary Flames
2003 Anaheim Mighty Ducks
2002 Carolina Hurricanes
1999 Buffalo Sabres
1998 Washington Capitals
1996 Florida Panthers
1994 Vancouver Canucks
1991 Minnesota North Stars
1982 Vancouver Canucks
1981 Minnesota North Stars
1979 New York Rangers
The only year I can remember the underdogs beating the heavy favourite was
1995 New Jersey Devils
Nobody expected
1993 Montreal Canadiens
1986 Montreal Canadiens
But in 93, the Habs played the Kings, and in 86 they beat the Flames, both of which weren't considered powerhouses.
Of course, history is bunk. The Steelers became the first team to win the Super Bowl as a #6 seed this year.
The one edge I believe Edmonton has is in goal, with Roloson. However, I believe that the Oilers have been outshot most games in the playoffs and I don't think Roloson is truly a world-class goalie.
I had heard during the Anaheim series that the team winning in this year's playoffs have been outshot 72% of the time. That's staggering.
I think this match-up is similar to the last Stanley Cup, apart from it being an Alberta team facing a team from the South. But Carolina is a better team and will prevail.
The Canes in 6 or 7.