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Thursday, April 24
Updated:
April 25, 12:21 PM ET
Pivotal players: LeClair & Chara
By E.J. Hradek
ESPN The Magazine
Zdeno Chara
Ottawa Senators
GP: 74
G-A-P: 9-30-39
+/-: +29
PIM: 116
First round:
5 GP, 0-3-3, +2, 2 PIM
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John LeClair
Philadelphia Flyers
GP: 35
G-A-P: 18-10-28
+/-: +10
PIM: 16
First round:
7 GP, 1-2-3, +3, 4 PIM
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In Canada's capital, where nation's government often leans to the left, the hockey team is definitely a right wing group. The strength of the Senators' potent offensive attack comes from right wings Daniel Alfredsson, Marian Hossa and Martin Havlat. Those three highly skilled sharpshooters combined for 96 goals during the season. The trio likely would have broken the century mark if Havlat didn't miss 15 games due to injury.
Because they play on three different lines, they cause match-up problems for just about every team they play. Obviously, Philly's left side defenders Eric Weinrich, Marcus Ragnarsson and Chris Therien will have their hands full during this series.
But, they'll need help from the club's left wings, who'll line up opposite Alfredsson, Hossa and Havlat. Speedy Sami Kapanen and Simon Gagne can match any of those three players stride for stride.
John LeClair, on the other hand, might have trouble keep up with any member of trio. That's why his performance will be important in the series. LeClair, who was quiet (one goal, two assists) against the Leafs in the first round, can help his defensive teammates by slowing down his opposite wing in the neutral zone. Also, in the faceoff circle, he must be sure to lock down on whomever he's matched against.
In the offensive zone, LeClair will have to be strong below the dots. And, he must be a presence in front of the net. Against the Leafs, he was at his best when he was crowding Belfour's crease.
The games in this series figure to be close and low scoring. Any garbage goals LeClair can collect around the Senators' net could prove to be the difference.
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After a relatively easy opening round series against the Islanders, the Senators will have a much tougher chore in the second round. The Flyers are big, tough and talented. In their nasty seven-game series against the Leafs (a team that the Senators haven't been able to beat in the postseason), the Flyers made a habit of driving toward Ed Belfour's crease. In the final game, without much help from his defense, Belfour tried to take matters into his own hands. As we now know, that was a bad idea.
Oversized Flyers forwards John LeClair, Keith Primeau, Michael Handzus and Donald Brashear along with others like Jeremy Roenick, Justin Williams, Mark Recchi and Simon Gagne again will be driving toward the net.
That's why NBA-sized Senators defenseman Zdeno Chara will play an important role in this series.
At 6'9, 260 pounds, Chara is a monster of a defender. It will be his job to police the area in front of Senators goalie Patrick Lalime. Last spring, against a more docile group of Flyers, Chara did a nice job of keeping the crease clean in their first round series. With a clear view, Lalime allowed just two goals and recorded three shutouts as the Sens eliminated the Flyers in five games.
Also, it's interesting to note that last year's Sens seemed on the verge on knocking out the physical Leafs until Chara went down with an injury in Game 5 of that series. Without Chara, the Sens dropped Games 6 and 7.
Now healthy and rested, Chara must answer the physical challenge from a deep group of Flyer forwards. Is he up to it? If he isn't, the Sens might be going home a little earlier than expected.
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