NHL Conference Finals Preview

WESTERN CONFERENCE

#1 San Jose Sharks vs. #2 Chicago Blackhawks

The Western Conference has the boring distinction of being chalk in the conference finals, but these two teams certainly earned their way to this spot. The Sharks overcame their demons, dispatching the Avs in the 1st round, and were able to handle the playoff hardened Red Wings rather easily. The Blackhawks overcame a slow start to beat the Predators, and then defeated by pick to win it all, Vancouver, in the 2nd round. I expect this to be a hard fought series that will go to at least 6 games. The x factor in this series, as always, will be the goaltending. Both of these teams have prolific offenses that can fill the net on any given occasion, so whichever team gets better goaltending is sure to win this series. The Sharks have Evgeni Nabakov, who has not been a consistent playoff performer in the past, but can be as good as anyone on any given night. The Hawks have young Finn Anttii Niemi, who has been maddeningly inconsistent throughout the year. He has played fairly well throughout the playoffs, but he will likely be facing a barrage against the Sharks. The Hawks will have to rely on their young, highly skilled defensive corps to defend their young netminder from too many shots. With offenses so evenly matched, I'm going to take the Hawks defensive corps and inconsistent goalie over the Sharks veteran (old) defensive corps and goalie.

BOLT PICK: Hawks 4-2


EASTERN CONFERENCE

#7 Philadelphia Flyers vs. Montreal Canadiens

This series is probably the most difficult to pick of the entire playoffs thusfar. Do you go with the team that just beat the sports three best players, or do you go with the team that just pulled off comeback to end all comebacks? (I would've written these next sentences even before game 1) I expect the Flyers to come out like their heads are on fire after pulling off what they just pulled off. They are on top of the world right now, and they will likely carry that momentum into the first game. Losing the first game of the series is nothing new to these Canadiens, as they have been at their best when coming from behind in series. The pulling of Jaro Halak was unexpected, but I expect Jacques Martin not be stupid and put Halak back in for game 2. I will remind everyone that Halak got pulled in the Washington series, and came back with three of the best games seen in a long time. The problem facing the Canadiens is that their forward crew is pretty small (Gionta 5'7 Gomez 5'11 Cammalleri 5'9 Plekanec 5'10), and the Flyers have a big and rough set of defensemen, led by Chris Pronger. Also, the Flyers are a team that thrives on gritty play and banging home rebounds and playing on the edge, quite different from the Capitals and Penguins, who rely primarily on skill to defeat opponents. With some banged up defense, the Habs are going to have to rely on big Hal Gill, the underrated Jaro Spacek, and young P.K. Subban (who is awesome BTW) to try to keep the front of the net clear for Halak to have clear vision of the puck. I think the key to this series is the Habs ability to get on the PP and convert those opportunities. On the PP, the size disadvantage will be less tangible, and they will be able to sue their speed and skill to create opportunities. This is an extremely difficult pick to make, because you can't ever count either of these teams out in a series. I hope that we get at least 6 games, with fingers crossed for 7. This is pretty much a tossup, but I'm going to have to go with the Habs. I mean come on, Mike Cammalleri could break the playoff goal record (19, Jarri Kurri and Reggie Leach) and he's listed generously at 5'9. Gotta go with the small dude that can snipe. Also, Halak when facing elimination has been tremendous. Either way, I'm predicting a great series.

BOLT PICK: Canadiens 4-3

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