In a couple of days, the composition of the Stanley Cup final can be determined. Both series – Tampa – Islanders and Vegas – Dallas – the score is 3-1. Bolts and Stars are ahead. If their rivals fail to perform a miracle, then we will see the final, where each team will have three representatives of Russia: Nikita Kucherov, Andrei Vasilevsky and Mikhail Sergachev at Tampa and Alexander Radulov, Anton Khudobin and Denis Guryanov at Dallas.
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Tampa v Islanders
The series can be divided into two parts. While Braden Point was injured and Alex Killorn was not playing (in the second match – after being sent off, in the third – due to suspension), the Islanders fought on equal terms. Only at the end of the second game did they concede the decisive goal, and in the third they even snatched a victory.
The first and fourth matches with Point and Killorn Tampa won with a total score of 12: 3, and Braden, together with Nikita Kucherov, scored seven points. In total, the Russian has nine points in this series, and he shares the first place in the list of playoff scorers with Point and striker of already departed Colorado Nathan McKinnon.
Tampa’s class is too high – the seemingly debugged Islanders system, which easily endured the same Washington, broke down. Barry Trotz’s team has no arguments against the combinations of the three Chambers – Point – Kucherov. There is little chance that the Islanders will break the streak. Unless Point, who missed the end of the game in the fourth match, for medical reasons will not be able to advance to the next matches.
“If you look at all the meetings in this series, then everything is not as simple as it seems,” said the NHL and Olympic champion Valery Kamensky to Izvestia. – Matches go bone to bone, all the guys fight. It’s just that Tampa is stronger at the moment. They have been playing with this line-up for a long time and, moreover, they have strengthened well. The team prepared to win the Stanley Cup. They should have done it last year, but it didn’t work out. The Islanders’ chances of breaking the streak are minimal. I think Tampa will reach the final.
Valery Kamensky especially singled out the forward of the Russian national team Nikita Kucherov.
– I am rooting for our guys, I want them to win the Stanley Cup, – the expert continued. – I think Nikita Kucherov is the main striker at Tampa. Look who scored important goals in the playoffs, and you will see that Nikita has more of them than Point.
Vegas v Dallas
In the western finals, the score is the same, but the hockey is completely different. Ultra-defensive – only 12 goals were scored in four matches, six on each side. “Dallas” after a crazy streak with “Colorado” rebuilt: only in the first match the “Stars” attacked a lot, and then went into deep defense.
Success in such a situation would have been impossible without the extravaganza of Anton Khudobin, who became the main character of both the third and fourth matches. If it weren’t for Miro Heiskanen, who is hosting the space playoffs, the Russian goalkeeper would now be Dallas’ top candidate for the playoff MVP. True, the question of the prize will arise if Dallas reaches the final.
– Such confident play of Khudobin, as well as other Russian goalkeepers of NHL teams (Vasilevsky, Varlamov – Izvestia), who reached the semifinals, is the merit of our school, – said to Izvestia world champion, Stanley Cup finalist – 1994 Pavel Bure. – For a long time, our goalkeepers are leaders in the NHL and receive individual prizes.
Well-known commentator, former scout of the Russian national team Sergey Fedotov agrees with Pavel Bure.
“Of course, we can talk about the progress of the system of educating goalkeepers,” he said in a conversation with Izvestia. – After all, we also have experienced goalkeepers who have been playing in the NHL for a long time in leading positions — Varlamov, Bobrovsky, Vasilevsky — and there is always fresh blood. Sorokin will play next season, in this season Shesterkin and Georgiev showed themselves. Very highly rated in the draft, Askarov, who is almost guaranteed to be picked first among goalkeepers around the world. therefore we can talk about the dominance of our goalkeeper school. We should be proud that the goalkeeper training system in Russia is one of the most advanced in the world.
If we go back to the Dallas and Vegas series, then of course the Stars are favorites, but the age team obviously lacks stability in terms of physics. Fortunately for Dallas, Vegas is too straightforward and does not seem able to change to become more diverse. This almost ruined the Golden Knights in the series with Vancouver, and now, apparently, will become a factor in relegation from the playoffs.
– Such a result in the series does not surprise me, – continued Valery Kamensky. – The guys from Dallas got together and proved to everyone that they are a strong and worthy team for the final. Now they are leading in the series, and from 1-3 in the final of the conference it is very difficult to win back. That is, it is possible, but for this it is necessary that the opponent crumbles. A large percentage of Dallas’ success is in the game of goalkeeper Anton Khudobin. But they have both defenders and forwards doing their job – the whole team is playing. I think that in hockey it is wrong to single out one person – this is a team sport.
Valery Kamensky also shared his opinion about Dallas forwards Denis Guryanov and Alexander Radulov.
– Denis Guryanov went into the shadows? First of all, he does not have the same experience as Alexander Radulov. And you can’t go through the entire playoffs at the same level. Probably a little tired. I think he will show himself in important matches. Alexander Radulov’s talent is limitless. Of course he will add more. The desire to win, which he always had, as well as his character, will help him play at an even higher level., – concluded the expert.
The next match in the West Finals will take place on Tuesday at 03:00 Moscow time.