Round 2 Preview

OFFENSE

The Bobcats ranked second in the Eastern Conference with an impressive 294 goals scored this season. Their first line is made up superstars Simon Gagne, Sergei Samsonov, and Jaromir Jagr, they were the top three scorers for the Bobcats this season. But this is much more than a one line team. There second line is just as good and twice as young. Masi Marjamaki, Erik Cole, and David Legwand can put the puck in the net almost as good as their first line. The third and fourth lines for the Bobcats consist mainly of roleplayers like Shane Willis, Mike Peca, and Curtis Brown. In the first series the Misconducts scoring came alive, mostly the second line wingers Kristian Huselius and Brian Rolston. Each scored a hat trick in the first series and helped the Misconducts win the final two games to advance to the second round. The Misconducts are still waiting for Peter Forsberg to get on track and hope that moving leading scorer Jan Hrdina to the first line with help snap the funk that both Forsberg and Kris Beech are going through right now. If Forsberg and Beech don't get on track soon. This could be a very short series for the Misconducts.

Advantage : Bobcats - The Misconducts can't simply match up with the Bobcats first two lines

DEFENSE

Matt Jones, Martin Skoula, Andy Delmore . . .is the answer. What makes the Bobcats defense better than Misconducts . . .is the question. Those three alone can carry any defense in the league. And they where a big reason why the Bobcats swept the Aces in the first round. Jakub Klepis, Nick Boynton, and Nick Schultz round out the defensive corps of the Bobcats. They have give the fewest amount of goals of any remaining playoff team thus far. Jones, Skoula, and Delmore can also contribute on the offensive side of the rink as well. The Misconducts took a big hit to their defense in series against the Owls where Teemu Laakso was lost for a few games due to injury and Shawn Belle was suspend for the last two games of the series and the first two games against the Bobcats. Boris Valabik and Carlo Colaiacovo were to step in nicely and help to finish off the Owls. But the Bobcats are a different team offensively than the Owls where and Belle being out for the first two games could be critically to the outcome of the series.

Advantage : Bobcats - By a Delmore, Skoula, and Jones

GOALTENDING

This series is being viewed as the battle of the Martins as Martin Brodeur will lead the Misconducts into battle against Martin Biron of the Bobcats. Biron is having a Vezina type season. He had the second best record in the league as well as finishing second in GAA. He has carried his outstanding regular season into the playoffs. He was the main reason the Bobcats where able to take out the Aces in such sort work. Brodeur on the other hand struggled to find his game in the regular season but has been incredible for the Misconducts in the playoffs. With the exception of one game in the Owls series he has kept things close and provide the Misconducts with the oppurtunity to win. If his strong play holds up the Misconducts might be able to steal a win or two away from the Bobcats this series.

Advantage : Bobcats - The numbers don't lie . . .Martin Biron . .is really that good

PREDICTION

The Bobcats wasted little time sending the Aces to the golf course in the first round and this series looks to be no different. With two balanced scoring lines and a solid defense in front of all world goalie Martin Biron, The Misconducts may have biten off more than they chew this time. It was nice for Miami to get back to the playoffs this year . . .it was nice to see them win a round in the playoffs . . but their good fortune is about to run out. The Bobcats will have a harder time beating them then they did beating the Aces, but not much of a harder time.

Prediction : Bobcats in 5