Playoffs 2000:Differing styles mark this matchup

Differing styles mark this matchup
By Darren Pang
Special to ESPN.com

The Matchup: Martin Brodeur vs. Curtis Joseph

Martin Brodeur

Curtis Joseph

Styles differ, but results don't
Brodeur and Joseph have differing styles. First, Brodeur is the better puck-handler and poke-checker. If the Maple Leafs choose to dump the puck in like they did against Ottawa's Tom Barrasso, they will have to do a better job of getting it away from the goaltender. Brodeur is good with his stick and against anything that comes through the crease. He can intercept the puck and poke it away.

Joseph, meanwhile, is stronger from post to post. He is more adept at playing close to the holes against any plays that start from behind the net -- backdoor plays. Both have great gloves and can make the eye-catching, momentum-changing saves. The one bad goal that either one of them allows will make the other strronger because often goalies can feed off what his counterpart is doing.

Brodeur had a more consistent first-round series, but I don't know if he was tested as much as Joseph was. After watching how CuJo flared up in the Ottawa series, the Devils will try to get in his kitchen. To me, that will be a big factor. You can expect to see Bobby Holik, Jason Arnott, Randy McKay and Claude Lemieux getting in CuJo's face and causing a distraction. During the season, Joseph openly complained about the lack of protection the goalies are getting in the crease.

Brodeur has the experience of winning a Stanley Cup. Joseph has yet to go the full four rounds and win the Cup. There is something about the way he plays in the second round; historically, it's been CuJo's best round. But then he hasn't been able to shut the door in the third round to get to the finals.

I don't know if there is a distinct edge between the two. Brodeur may be able to pace himself through a seven-game series better because he doesn't use as much energy as Joseph does in the net. But Joseph's success in past second rounds will prove to be to his advantage.

Darren Pang is a hockey analyst for ESPN.