NHL 2007 playoffs: Atlanta-New York

 

Along with the Ottawa-Pittsburgh series, this one promises to be a long and hard fought series.

In the red corner, the Atlanta Thrashers will participate to the playoffs for the first time since their debut in the league a few years ago. The Atlanta attack will rely on Ilya Kovalchuk, Slava Kozlov and Marian Hossa who managed to total 100 points for the first time in his career. Goaltender Kari Lehtonen had a respectable season with a goal against average of 2.79 in 68 games. The Trashers qualified for the playoffs because of a very good 2nd half of the regular season.

In the blue corner, the New-York Rangers. Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist has a very good season with the blueshirts with a goal against average of 2.34 in 70 games. On the attack, the Rangers can count on Jaromir Jagr, Michael Nylander, Martin Straka and Brendan Shanahan. The two teams are a pretty evenly matched as only 3 points in the standings separate them. The Rangers players have an edge in total playoff experience and Stanley cups won. This should be the difference maker for the Rangers. I see this series going all the way and a New-York Rangers win in 7 hard fought games.