Conference Finals

Well after going 4/4 in the east in the first round, I went all of 1/4 in the entire league for the second round. And it was the only one I didn't want to be right. Oh well, it was still a great second round.

Predictions:
NYR/NJD-NYR in 6
PHX/LAK-LAK in 7

Analysis after the jump.




Eastern Conference
18 years later and here we are again. The last time these two teams met in the ECF the Rangers would go on to win the Stanley Cup. Both of these teams come from the highly contested Atlantic division that made for an exciting regular season. Both of these teams have had great series so far, New Jersey beating the #3 seeded Panthers and the #5 seeded Flyers to make it to where they are. New Jersey has beaten Philly twice before in the Stanley Cup playoffs, and both times they did, they managed to win the cup. Home ice hasn't really been a huge advantage in these playoffs and expect it to mean diddly-squat in this Conference final. These two teams play all of a metro ride apart (I've done it, it doesn't even take 30 minutes) and both stadiums should be packed with fans from both teams. The rivalry is certainly there, and it should make for some great hockey.

Why the Devils can win:
They fixed their PK, to some extent. After letting in 9 PPG against in the first round against the Panthers, the Devils managed to regain some of their regular season form and stop 16/19 chances against the Flyers. They also have all their pistons firing right now and may be able to simply outscore the New York Rangers, who are barely averaging 2 goals a game. The Devils have been scoring, on average, 3 goals a game. This puts them on the advantage as far as scoring goes. Their biggest challenge is going to be fighting a stingy New York defensive core helmed by "King" Henrik Lundqvist.

Why the Rangers will win:
Henrik Lundqvist. He has been huge for New York and expect the Vezina Trophy candidate to continue his stellar play. The big guns of the Rangers are starting to fire and should be able to get some traffic on Marty Broduer. If the Rangers can stitch up their streaky PP then expect them to take this series, but it won't be without it's challenge.

Rangers in 6


Western Conference
This series starts tonight, and with the goaltenders that there are, may still be on game one by the time the Rangers and Devils are done with their series. Jonathan Quick has been amazing this postseason, capping off what has been a great season for him. Mike Smith has continued his outstanding performance to carry Phoenix over both Chicago and a strong Nashville squad. The Coyotes are making their first trip to the Western Conference Final and LA is returning after a 19 year drought. Neither of these teams has won a cup before.

How Phoenix can win:
Their secondary scoring keeps it up. Phoenix has received big contributions from everyone and they will need to keep this up. LA isn't going to let goals in easily, so Phoenix will need to get shots on net and get them from everywhere on the ice. Mike Smith will need to shut down a strong LA offense and perform as well as he has been.

Why LA will win:
Los Angeles has beaten the #1 seed and then destroyed the #2 seeded Blues. They are getting contributions from everyone and their goal tending is outstanding. Their biggest weakness is their poor Power Play. If they can get this going (and I really don't see why they couldn't) then they should take this series quite easily.

LAK in 7.