Series may come down to Sharks' Nabokov
No one's going to confuse Evgeni Nabokov with the loopy Roberto Luongo.
Though Nabokov has had his moments.
The Sharks goaltender can frequently look like an all-world netminder, but he's also had games - including one against the Blackhawks this season - when he appears to have no idea what he's doing, something that also occurred in the Olympics when Canada pounded Russia.
But since then, Nabokov's been mostly brilliant, save a game or two, and was outstanding in the first series against Colorado, when the Sharks held a huge shots advantage, and also against Detroit, which threw everything it had at San Jose.
Except for Game 4, when Detroit stomped San Jose - and there's probably not a goalie alive who could have withstood that barrage - Nabokov was very good and allowed his team to be patient offensively.
If he does that against the Hawks, this will be a difficult series for the West Siders. If he can't, the Hawks go to the Finals.
Once again, the Hawks will use Dustin Byfuglien to try to get in the goalie's head, but Nabokov just went through a series with the Wings' Tomas Holmstrom and came out a winner.
Considered the best at camping out in front since the NHL went all ballet all the time - and no longer allows defensemen to do their jobs in front of the net - Holmstrom had 3 points (1 goal) in the five games against the Sharks, and Nabokov never flinched despite the constant annoyance.
Like Detroit, the Hawks try a lot of east-west flow down low and like to get goalies moving into no man's land, hoping they lose their angle and post, but Nabokov was steady as a rock against the Wings.
Antti Niemi hasn't been asked to do much, but when he has been called upon, he has been there for the Hawks.
Meanwhile, both teams are getting balanced pressure. The Hawks are faster, the Sharks bigger. The San Jose defense is deeper, the Hawks' defense quicker.
So it will likely come down to goaltending, as it often does, where Nabokov has all the experience but also all the pressure to get his team - which has a legendary reputation as underachievers - to the Stanley Cup Finals.
The Hawks, on the other hand, seem to feel no pressure, which is a huge advantage this time of year. It's the added benefit of being so young and thinking next year will always bring another opportunity - whether true or not.
On paper, this looks very much like the best series of the 2010 postseason. Add it all up and it's begging to go seven.
Can't ask for much more than that from two teams that have only one goal in mind.
Dancing with the Lord Stanley's bowl.
The perspectiveDan Le Batard of The Miami Herald: "Two decades ago, a very important basketball player had a terrible night against his rival in a playoff game. He missed the majority of his shots, just like LeBron James, and he scored only 15 points, just like James. His team was blown out by double digits. History does not remember him as a choker or afraid or not quite ready for the throne. No, history remembers him as Michael Jordan."The nightmareSI.com's Michael Rosenberg, on the Cleveland Cavaliers: "They declined an option on Carlos Boozer - gave $70 million to Larry Hughes - overpaid Drew Gooden - took Mo Williams' contract off Milwaukee's hands - took Ben Wallace's contract off Chicago's hands - took Shaq's contract off Phoenix's hands - took Antawn Jamison's contract off Washington's hands. They have acquired one overvalued asset after another. Chances are good that if you walked away from your house after the real-estate market collapsed, the Cavs now own it."The experimentE-mailer Sanjay H., my favorite GM not working in baseball today: "It's time to move Carlos Zambrano back to the rotation as he's not that good in the bullpen and Tom Gorzelanny/Carlos Silva are beginning to come back to Earth. Trade John Grabow even if you have to take 80 cents on the dollar, and let Gorzelanny assume his role."Arlington idolRegular visitors to the Party In the Park at Arlington should take note that Friday's first post has been moved to 1 p.m. to accommodate a 6:30 p.m. performance by American Idol star Lee DeWyze.The Mount Prospect resident will work from the winner's circle after the final race.A limited number of general admission tickets will be available at the door for those wishing to see the race card, but tickets for the concert are sold out.However, if you're already an ARC member, or if you hold a season pass, those cards will be honored for general admission.Best pointPingree Grove e-mailer Gary Koca: "Last year one of the problems was that the Cubs had no one to fill in if Aramis Ramirez or Derrek Lee went down with injuries. That problem is cured this year. With Ramirez at .159 and Lee hitting .229, the Cubs certainly have bench guys who can do that."Best headlineSportspickle.com: "BP to attempt to place Carlos Lee over oil gusher."And finally -Comedian Alex Kaseberg: "Mike Tyson is now a vegan. Said Evander Holyfield upon hearing the news, 'Oh, sure, now you're a vegan.' "bull; Listen to Barry Rozner from 9 a.m. to noon Sundays on the Score's "Hit and Run" show at WSCR 670-AM.