Tag Archives: Drew Doughty

Finals Preview

Originally, this post was supposed to consist of my insight into the Stanley Cup Finals and some thoughts on what I expected to happen in the series and, in particular, what may transpire in game one.  Unfortunately for me, that didn’t happen.  No, once again my trepidation over producing something unfit for reading and having my name attached to it while others snickered at their screens as they read my opinions, got the best of me.  I mean, I was going to do a comparison of goaltenders, defence, forwards and special teams of the two contenders for the much lauded grail that is the Stanley Cup.  I was going to touch on certain factors that may have influenced the outcome of this series between two titans of the sport.  Of course I was going to talk about Drew Doughty and how his almost mystical ability to force his will on the game would be a determining element of the final.  I was even going to share my intuition that the Kings were going to lean on their third and fourth lines to establish a physical presence right off the hop and how that would work to slow the speedy forwards of the Rangers considerably.  Players like Dwight King and Mike Richards would play prominent roles in backing off the Rangers attack and push the Rangers around a little, making a statement of bodily impact and intimidation.  Perhaps most disappointing, was my prediction that one Kyle Clifford would play an increased role for Darryl Sutter by using his large frame to not only inflict pain on the Rangers, but also have an effect on the score of the contest.  Having considered this possible scenario, I was pretty sure of myself and my perspective and, lo and behold, Clifford came through, as have some of the other forecasts, albeit early in the series.  All of this is true and yet, because I’m writing this post more than 48 hours after this had transpired, it means nothing.  Way to go Dan.  It’s my fault that, instead of publishing my opinions, I came up with a series of excuses as to why I couldn’t write about any of this.  At this point, it’s getting a little pathetic and it probably isn’t a good idea to continue, lest I say something I didn’t intend.  So I hope this is a lesson to me and anyone reading this, that just doing it, just getting over myself and my insecurities over writing something good and instead producing something, is far more rewarding than coming up with another set of excuses as to why I didn’t write anything at all.