Series Breakdown: Stars vs. Devils
By Bill Clement
Special to ESPN.com
Check out which team has the edge, and then see what I think the outcome will be.
Matching up 5-on-5
| BREAKDOWN |
EDGE |
|
The Stars and the Devils are evenly matched at even strength. Both teams have top offensive lines, Dallas' led by Mike Modano and Brett Hull -- the two leading scorers in the playoffs -- and New Jersey's led by Petr Sykora and Patrik Elias. Both teams have depth in the form of four lines and players down the order who can come up with big goals -- Claude Lemieux and Alexander Mogilny for the Devils, and Mike Keane and Joe Nieuwendyk for the Stars. The key here will be which team sticks to its five-on-five system the best, which means defense first, great positioning and waiting for breaks.
|
EVEN
|
Special teams
|
BREAKDOWN
|
EDGE
|
|
Dallas' power play is hot at the right time. The Stars scored power-play goals in each of the final four games of the Western Conference finals, including two in Game 7. Meanwhile, the Stars' penalty killing was nothing short of sensational against Colorado, allowing only three goals in the Avs' 33 power-play opportunities. The Stars, who had the best all-time penalty-killing mark during the regular season, shut out Colorado's power play over the last four games. While the Devils' penalty killing is excellent, their power play going into the series can't match the Stars.
|
|
Goaltending
|
BREAKDOWN
|
EDGE
|
|
Martin Brodeur and Ed Belfour are both looking for their second Stanley Cup, which tells a bit about their distant histories. But recent history, as in this year's playoffs, shows us a difference in their resumes. Brodeur was excellent when he had to be, but not so excellent at other times. Belfour, however, has been a picture of consistency. He didn't allow more than two goals in any game against the high-powered Colorado offense. He was flawless.
|
|
Intangibles
|
BREAKDOWN
|
EDGE
|
|
The intangible is momentum. The Devils, down 3-1 to Philadelphia, accomplished the improbable by coming back and winning three straight games against the Flyers. Although they lost both games against Dallas during the regular season, the Devils believe they can beat anybody. The power is in the belief.
|
|
|
PREDICTION
|
|
Dallas in six. If Belfour plays 90 percent as well as he did against Colorado, it will be enough to beat New Jersey. His goaltending is invariably the key. I expect the Stars to repeat as champions.
|
|
Bill Clement, a former NHL player with Philadelphia, serves as an NHL analyst for ESPN and ABC.
|
