NHL Conference Finals Preview

What a thrilling month of playoff hockey we've experienced this season. The NHL is known for ratcheting up the intensity in the post-season and this year is no different. There have been surprises along the way, but with the dust settling in the Conference Finals, I think we're left with the best final four teams. Let's take a peek into the matchups.




Eastern Conference Finals
(3) Bruins vs (5) Lightning
I'm gonna be honest. I didn't see this one coming. I picked against both Boston and Tampa Bay in both rounds and they've continued to surprise me. Last round, both squads cruised. Boston avenged last year's crushing 2nd round defeat to Philadelphia by sweeping the Flyers in 4 games. You'll recall that in 2010, Philly overcame a 3-0 deficit to shot Boston. Also bringing out the brooms was Tampa Bay in their rout of top seeded Washington. The Capitals may have a reputation for choking in the playoffs, but that doesn't mean we should take anything away from the Lightning's complete domination in the 2nd round. This match up is a dual of immovable objects. Boston's suffocating defense led by the hulking Zdeno Chara against the offensive juggernaut of Tampa featuring young superstar Steven Stamkos. With a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals on the line, I see Stamkos and company moving on.
Prediction: Lightning in 6

Western Conference Finals
(1) Canucks vs (2) Sharks
Unlike the Eastern Conference Finals, the West isn't exactly a shocker. While many people (myself included) picked the Red Wings to upend the Sharks, San Jose wasn't willing to follow the script. Detroit nearly pulled off a comeback for the ages by erasing the Sharks 3-0 lead to tie up the series at 3. In the end, San Jose was able to survive winning on Tuesday in the Shark Tank to move on for a date with the top seeded Canucks. Vancouver had to go through a similar situation in round 1 when they held off the defending Stanley Cup Champion Blackhawks. Their second round series against the Nashville Predators was more manageable as the Canucks finished off the Preds in 6.  Even though Vancouver has looked mortal this post-season, I still honestly believe that they are the best team in hockey. Ryan Kesler has been an animal scoring an impressive 15 points. Many will root for the Sharks to make their first ever final, but I think Vancouver will return for the first time since 1994.
Prediction: Canucks in 7