Untitled Document

B.C. Cougars Vs. Montreal Canadiens

B.C. Cougars		Montreal Canadiens
4th Overall Canadian Conference	101 Points	6th Overall Canadian Conference	90 Points
Losing record of 1-2-1 vs Candiens during season		Winning record of 3-1-0 vs Cougars during season

Top Point Getters in Round 2	Top Point Getters in Round 2
Wojtek Wolski - 7 G - 6 A - 13 - +8	Andrei Markov - 4 G - 9 A - 13 - +5
Henrik Sedin - 4 G - 9 A - 13 P - -2	Nathan Horton - 3 G - 8 A - 12 P - +/-0
R.J. Umberger - 6 G - 6 A - 12 P - +7	Radek Dvorak - 3 G - 6 A - 9 P - +7

Series Preview

Some teams are just made for the post-season. The B.C. Cougars continue to prove they are that type of team as they took down the more talented Calgary Flames in a 2nd round series in a 7 game series. Now, the Cougars are in the position of being the clear favorite for one of the rare times the last 2 springs, how will they react? The Cougars have had a balanced attack so far in the post-season, with 6 players collecting at least 11 points. There is still untapped offensive potential as Zdeno Chara continues to be a no show offensively. Regardless, the Cougars identity is stingy team defence with a great goalie in Cam Ward. In this series, they will meet a team with a similar philosophy. The Canadiens are 1st in GAA in the playoffs, the Cougars 2nd. It looks like a low scoring series on paper, especially with Simon Gagne likely missing the majority of it.

The special teams battle. Both teams feature a bad PP and an excellent PK. Who comes out on top?
Yet again, Zdeno Chara. Surely the behemoth can take his game to another level, right? RIGHT?
Halak vs Ward. Can Ward win yet another battle?

Few gave them much of a chance in round 1 against a Maple Leafs team with some serious star power. Especially when Saku Koivu missed the first 4 games of the series. Few game them a chance in round 2 against a very good Bulldogs squad. Yet, here are the Montreal Canadiens in round 3 after beating those Dogs in 5. They are here because Andrei Markov has dominated offensively. They are here because Saku Koivu had a fantastic round 2. They are here because Jason Blake, Andrew Brunette and Mike Comrie have all chipped in. They are here because Nathan Horton and Radek Dvorak have been strong offensively. They are here because Jaroslav Halak continues to channel the form of last season in real life. The next challenge is a big one, the defending Cup champion Cougars, a battle tested team if there ever was one. The Habs will need to max out their talent and hope the magic continue.

3 KEY FACTORS:

Can the Canadiens offence score enough against a strong defensive team? The Cougars are the 2nd best team defensive team in the playoffs.
The Habs PP vs the Cougars PK. The Habs PP improved significantly in round 2, but the Cougars PK is ranked 2. Who wins this battle?
Brenden Morrow. After a quiet round 2, the Habs will need an excellent series from their power forward to win this series.

Prediction: The Cougars simply put have more guns and more depth. The Canadiens will keep it close and win a couple of games, but that will be it for Cinderella. Cougars in 6.