The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Like most hockey fans, April is my favourite month of the year. As a starving Calgary Flames fan, this year's Stanley Cup playoffs will be that much more exciting, as five of the six remaining Canadian teams have earned a spot in the 16-team tournament. The Edmonton Oilers are the only team to not reach the second season, just a couple of points shy of the Nashville Predators. Unfortunately, two of those remaining five Canadian teams will be eliminated after the first round. One team will be eliminated as Calgary and Vancouver will face-off against each other, as will Toronto and Ottawa. If Calgary wants to beat Vancouver, they will need perfect goaltending from Miikka Kiprusoff, who set an NHL record this year with a 1.70 goals against average. The Flames will play this year's most unpredictable team, the Vancouver Canucks, who were a favourite until losing Todd Burtuzzi because of his attack on Colorado's Steve Moore. Although the Canucks did win their last six games, goaltender Dan Cloutier has yet to prove himself in the post season. See 'Injuries' P.# Con't from P.# With injuries to playoff performers Darcy Tucker and Owen Nolan, Toronto's playoff hopes rest on Ed Belfour's bad back, but the Eagle has been hot as of late, shutting out opponents in his last three regular season starts. Vetrans Mats Sundin, Joe Nieuwendyk, Ron Francis and Brian Leetch will have to remain healthy in order for Toronto to have a chance against the Ottawa Senators. Many have picked the Ottawa Senators to be Canada's best chance at a Stanley Cup this season. Daniel Alfredson put his money where his mouth is with a guarantee that the Senators would win the Cup, and he may be right if goaltender Patrick Lalime remains healthy. Same goes for Peter Bondra and Jason Spezza, who have been questionable to start the series. Canada's other hope, the Montreal Canadiens will also need a stellar performance from goaltender Jose Theodore, who has not returned to his MVP form of two years ago. Montreal relied heavily on youngsters such as Michael Ryder in the regular season, but will need strong performances from veterans such as newcomer Alexei Kovalev. Kovalev had only one goal on 12 games with the Habs, but has a proven record of 67 points in 83 career playoff games.
