The Sutter tradition is alive and well in the NHL. Not only did Darryl Sutter coach the Hawks to more than 100 points, but brother Brian did the same with a Boston team that wasn`t impressive on paper. Anybody want to name the Sutters Co-Coaches of the Year?
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Goalie Andy Moog has experienced a late-season resurgence after being on the ropes. Brian Sutter felt Reggie Lemelin was a bad influence on Moog and jettisoned that veteran, bringing in journeyman John Blue to back up Moog.
Boston General Manager Harry Sinden made a key trade in February 1992 in getting Adam Oates from St. Louis for Craig Janney and Stephane Quintal. As the first-round series with Buffalo nears, Oates is now the leader on the ice as he nears 100 assists. He has already passed 140 points.
The Quebec-Montreal first-round series will be interesting from this aspect: The Nordiques have won all three games in Montreal, the Canadiens all four in the Colisee.
Quebec’s dangerous power play could win the series. Montreal has opened up its offense since switching coaches from Pat Burns to Jacques Demers. Now, the focus will be on whether Demers can get the Canadiens and goalie Patrick Roy to play the kind of defense that wins in the postseason. Roy has to make up for going 4-7 in last year’s playoffs and being a mediocre 16-18 in the last three years in the playoffs.
Buffalo will threaten with Alexander Mogilny and Pat LaFontaine, but can Grant Fuhr stop enough pucks in goal? Fuhr is playoff proven with Edmonton, but the Sabres have to help him out and limit the scoring chances against him to overcome Boston.