Post by GM Oilers on May 15, 2004 20:44:29 GMT -5
The Oilers would like to congradulate Chad and the Thrashers on a hard fought series. The Series was much closer then it appeared with three one goal games that could have went either way.
The top line was solid for the Oilers throughout the playoffs but the real story for the Oil was the play of Patrick Lalime. Patrick dominated in some games and was the main reason the Oilers came home with the Cup this year. Patrick carried through from a very good regular season to a superb playoffs.
Brenden Morrison, Ryan Smyth, and Shane Doan proved to be a very good line at both ends of the rink, scoring the big goals but also looking after their own zone at the highest level. Ryan led the team with ten goals, while Shane let the team in scoring and the league in playoff assists.
The second line of Brenden Morrow, Radek Dvorak, and Chris Drury was very solid. Chris led the team in the playoffs with 4 game winning goals and also led the team with 62 shots on net.
The defense played a solid playoffs where no one really stood out, but as a group were able to quietly shut down the opposition. Nathen Dempsey after playing in only 47 regular season games filled in nicely in 9 playoff games because of injury to Sheldon Souray and Branislav Mezei. The only forward to miss time during the playoffs was Ryan Smyth who was out for one game.
The Oilers were the surprise of the playoffs as they defeated the Avalance 4-3 in the first round. Detroit 4-1 in the second round. Minnesota 4-1 in the third round. And then sweeping Atlanta in the Cup finals. All this after finishing the regular season one game over 500, and winning just four of their last ten games going into the playoffs.
The Oilers pick for top Thrashers player in the final was Pavel Dastuik with two goals and three points.
The top line was solid for the Oilers throughout the playoffs but the real story for the Oil was the play of Patrick Lalime. Patrick dominated in some games and was the main reason the Oilers came home with the Cup this year. Patrick carried through from a very good regular season to a superb playoffs.
Brenden Morrison, Ryan Smyth, and Shane Doan proved to be a very good line at both ends of the rink, scoring the big goals but also looking after their own zone at the highest level. Ryan led the team with ten goals, while Shane let the team in scoring and the league in playoff assists.
The second line of Brenden Morrow, Radek Dvorak, and Chris Drury was very solid. Chris led the team in the playoffs with 4 game winning goals and also led the team with 62 shots on net.
The defense played a solid playoffs where no one really stood out, but as a group were able to quietly shut down the opposition. Nathen Dempsey after playing in only 47 regular season games filled in nicely in 9 playoff games because of injury to Sheldon Souray and Branislav Mezei. The only forward to miss time during the playoffs was Ryan Smyth who was out for one game.
The Oilers were the surprise of the playoffs as they defeated the Avalance 4-3 in the first round. Detroit 4-1 in the second round. Minnesota 4-1 in the third round. And then sweeping Atlanta in the Cup finals. All this after finishing the regular season one game over 500, and winning just four of their last ten games going into the playoffs.
The Oilers pick for top Thrashers player in the final was Pavel Dastuik with two goals and three points.
