NHL - Detroit Humiliated and Eliminated
The Redwings are a star-laden team facing elimination as they go up against the Anaheim Ducks. Both goaltenders have been tough with Dominic Hasek posting a 1.67 GAA and a .928 SV%. Jean-Sebastien Giguere has also been stellar, with a 1.78 GAA and .935 SV%.
Although the Red Wings look better on paper and the Wings Nicklas Lidstrom leads all defensemen in scoring and points, with 4 goals and 13 assists, the Ducks have 3 defensemen in the top six! Chris Pronger has 3 goals and 10 assists; Scott Niedermayer has 3 goals and 6 assists and Francois Beauchemin has 3 goals and 3 assists.
Here’s a stat—shots on goal. Anaheim’s Pronger has had 50! Beauchemin has had 42! Niedermayer 37! On the penalty kill, Anaheim is fourth (88.8%) in the playoffs, while Detroit is seventh (87.4%)
But is it less stats and something ore at work here? As the Ducks took control of game six in the second period names like Andy McDonald, Chris Kunitz, Dustin Penner and Ryan Shannon could be heard. Combine the salaries with that of Beauchemin and you get a total of $5.7 million. Compare the contributions of these five guys to that of Toronto’s Mats Sundin and the salary– $7.6 million.
These guys were unwanted, told they couldn’t play and undrafted. They held off final period surge by the Red Wings to take game six by a 4-3 score and the series 4-2. Now they are one their way to the NHL finals. They may just have something to prove and may be ready to prove it. Of course, the Ottawa Senators have something to prove too.
Game 1 of the Stanley Cups Finals will be held in Anaheim on Monday, May 28th.
Technorati Tags: Dominic Hasek, Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Chris Pronger, Scott Niedermayer, Francois Beauchemin, Nicklas Lidstrom, Anaheim Ducks, Detroit Red Wings, Stanley Cup Playoffs
