NHL Conference Semifinals Preview

Now that one game is completed in each of the series, I have a better idea of how each team is doing. The Flyers are absolutely awful. The Caps lost their edge. The Canucks rebounded from game seven nicely to take game one, 1-0. Finally, the Sharks showed resiliency in their overtime win against the Red Wings.  As with the conference quarters, my good friend Bryan Miller wrote the Western Conference, while I write the Eastern Conference.

Eastern Conference


#2 Philadelphia Flyers vs. #3 Boston Bruins


Everyone should remember last season in the same eastern conference semifinals last year, when the Flyers became only the third team in NHL history to erase a 3-0 deficit to win the series. That propelled the Flyers past the Canadiens into the Stanley Cup Final.  Boston needs to erase that from their memories and try to focus all their energy on this year. Boston certainly proved that after their decisive game one victory of 7-3.  Philadelphia will need to find a capable goalie to continue towards their quest for the stanley cup, or else this will be a quick series.  The found a way against a hot Buffalo team, but I don't think they can do it against a motivated Bruins team.

Prediction:  Boston in 6


#1 Washington Capitals vs. #5 Tampa Bay Lightning

Washington cruised against New York, winning 4-1 with their defense first mentality. Tampa meanwhile struggled against a depleted Pittsburgh Penguins team.  But, as this is a divisional matchup, you can throw everything out from the first round and the regular season.  These teams are rivals, and this should go to seven games, as both team are very evenly matched in all categories.  So, I will do a toss up and give it to the Caps.

Prediction:  Washington in 7.


Western Conference


#1 Vancouver Canucks Vs. #5 Nashville Predators

With Vancouver barely getting by and being another disatster on the record books expect them to start out a little slow this series since they gave it their all in game 7 Tuesday night. Nashville is coming off their first series win in franchise history is looking to not be a one hit wonder. Ryan Kessler was the best player out there for the Vancouver Canucks in the series against Chigago shutting down Jonathan Toews and his line. Kessler did not put up a lot of points, but made his contribution defensively which is what you would expect out of a great center. I see him doing the same thing against the top line for Nashville as well keeping them to minimal points. Nashville's goalie Pekke Rinne will have to be big if Nashville hopes to have a good chance.


Predicton: Vancouver Canucks in 6


#2 San Jose Sharks vs. #3 Detriot Red Wings


San Jose has to hope goaltending keeps up in this matchup. They didn't play that well against the Los Angeles Kings last series , but got the win in the series. Detroit was moving on all cylinders in the series against the Coyotes. I expect Henrik Zetterberg to lead the charge for the Wings and keep the stuggles of the Sharks in the playoffs to continue.



Prediction: Detroit Red Wings in 5