The NHL Conference Semifinals begin tonight with the Sharks vs. Red Wings series. Here are my predictions for the series:
EAST:
4] Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 8] Montreal Canadiens
After Montreal’s improbable series win over President’s Cup winning and top seeded Washington, many people may expect goaltender Jaroslav Halak to carry the Habs through the remainder of the playoffs. However, I believe that the Penguins ability to get pucks in front of net in traffic will be the difference between being able to score goals and being shut down by Halak as the Caps were. The Caps refused to score the ugly goal; the goal where the puck was thrown on net and was jammed away at in front of net. Those types of goals are what beat hot goaltenders like Halak, and that is what Pittsburgh is unafraid to do and what Washington was unable to do.
MY PREDICTION: Penguins win in 5 games
6] Boston Bruins vs. 7] Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers are led by Brian Boucher, long time veteran who hasn’t started in 10 years, and the Bruins are led by Tuuka Rask, a rookie who hasn’t even started the entire season. However, the poise that Rask showed against the Buffalo Sabres and the best goalie in the world in Ryan Miller proves to me that this kid can take the pressure. Rask may even have been a better goaltender in the second half of the season than Miller has been. I think Boston’s physicality and Tuuka Rask’s dominance in net will fuel Boston to the Conference Finals.
MY PREDICTION: Bruins win in 6 games.
WEST:
1] San Jose Sharks vs. 4] Detroit Red Wings
Both teams had difficult first round series, as both teams faced a lot of pressure with the expectation to beat young, inexperienced teams. The difference for me between the pressure these teams faced is the amount of pressure that San Jose has gotten off its shoulders after its first round victory over Colorado. The Sharks distanced themselves from years of consistent choking in the postseason with that series win, and I think that this pressure release will allow the team to play the explosive hockey that put the team at the top of the Western Conference in the regular season.
MY PREDICTION: Sharks win in 6 games.
2] Chicago Blackhawks vs. 3] Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver seems to have it all. Great goaltending by Roberto Luongo, and great goal scoring by the Sedin twins, Henrik and Daniel. What is not to like? The Blackhawks also have great goal scoring with players such as Patrick Kane and Jonathon Teows, but the Blackhawk goaltender, Antti Niemi, is not on the level that Roberto Luongo is at this point. This series will be a great series, and may well come down to a decisive 7th game.
MY PREDICTION: Canucks win in 7 games.