Stanley Cup: Conference Finals Preview

We're down to four teams. The #1 seed from each Conference has been eliminated, as has one of the #2 seeds, and both #3 seeds. We're left with the #2 Detroit Red Wings, the #4 Pittsburgh Penguins, the #4 Chicago Blackhawks, and the #6 Carolina Hurricanes.

Chicago is the only big market team left, and the NHL has to be kind of disappointed with that. Before last night, there had been potential to have a team from Southern California, and one from the Northeast. But now, it's Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Raleigh.

WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP:
#2 Detroit Red Wings vs. #4 Chicago Blackhawks
A rematch of the Winter Classic at Wrigley Field. These teams are both Original 6 rivals, and play in the Central Division. That's about as far as the similarities go. The Wings are the reigning champions, the Blackhawks haven't won it all since 1961. Chicago last made the Conference Finals in 1995, and were knocked out by Detroit.



Chicago has been the sleeper team in the playoffs. They've gotten little respect, and little notice. But they're a good example of a successful playoff team. They fight hard every shift, make everything difficult for the opponent, and don't make many mistakes.

Detroit is the most exciting team ever. Their locker room is loaded with trophy winners, All-Stars, Olympic gold medalists, loads of experience, and tons of talent. Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, Johan Franzen, Jiri Hudler, Daniel Cleary, Marian Hossa, Nicklas Lidstrom, Brian Rafalski, Chris Osgood, et cetera, et cetera.



These teams played 6 times, with Detroit winning 4. However, two of those wins came in shootouts. And Chicago's only two wins in the season series were games #81 and #82, when Detroit had locked up their playoff seeding, and Chicago was fighting for home ice in the 1st round.

I'm not amazed by either team's goalies. Osgood is solid, but fortunate to be on such a talented team. Khabibulin is very good, but also worn down.



Chicago has their own scorers, although not as impressive as Detroit's list. The Blackhawks were 4th in scoring this year. More impressively, they allowed the 5th fewest goals in the NHL. And that is the advantage I think they'll use to catapult them to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Blackhawks in 7.



EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP:
#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #6 Carolina Hurricanes
Who cares? Why is it that some team from the South has to ruin the Stanley Cup playoffs every year? And how long before hockey fans start suffering from a Sidney Crosby overdose?



Both of these teams are here because more talented teams choked in the Conference Semis. But Pittsburgh shouldn't be taken too lightly. Crosby is good. Evgeni Malkin is great. The Penguins have a bit of a liability between the pipes in Marc-Andre Fleury.

Carolina, on the other hand, has an advantage in Cam Ward. Ward has never lost a playoff series as a starting goalie, thanks in no small part to the Canes not making the playoffs in 2007 or 2008. But he is good, and can steal a game or two, unlike Fleury, who can give one away.



The thought of either team winning, and going to the Finals is sickening. I loathe Pittsburgh and the Penguins. And the thought of Scott Walker's name engraved on the Stanley Cup makes me want to puke in my mouth.

But I think Carolina's streak of opponents choking has come to an end. Pittsburgh is not a choking team. They're experienced, physical, smart, and explosive. They played in the toughest division in the League, and still managed to get 99 points. If they can beat Washington, they can handle Carolina.

Penguins in 6.



CONN SMYTHE WATCH:

Some really good candidates for the Conn Smythe Trophy (MVP of the playoffs) were eliminated last week. Alex Ovechkin with his 21 points and 54 hits (although he gets credit for about 3 hits every time he's on the ice, even if he doesn't touch anyone or anything); Milan Lucic with his playoff leading +/- of +12, his 9 points, and 37 legitimate hits; Ryan Getzlaf and his 18 points, 25 hits, and 15 blocked shots; and Timmy Thomas and his playoff leading GAA of 1.85 (which will probably remain the best GAA in the playoffs), and 2nd best SV% of .935. All these worthy candidates will NOT be winning the Conn Smythe.

But here are some people who might:

Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh)
12 goals, 9 assists, #1 in playoffs with 21 points, #1 in goals, #2 in assists, +6, 12 hits, 12 blocked shots

Johan Franzen (Detroit)
8 goals, 7 assists, 15 points in 11 games

Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh)
6 goals, 13 assists

Eric Staal (Carolina)
9 goals, 7 assists

Jussi Jokinen (Carolina)
6 goals, 4 assists, 3 game winning goals

Henrik Zetterberg (Detroit)
6 goals, 8 assists, +8

Nicklas Lidstrom (Detroit)
3 goals, 8 assists, +6

Cam Ward (Carolina)
2.22 GAA, .927 SV%, 2 shutouts

-The Commodore