NHL 2010 Playoffs Conference Finals Predictions

Totally forgot to post my predictions on my blog (maybe that's why SJ lost game 1), but here they are in their original form despite the first day of the Final Four.

The 2 longshot predictions actually turned out to be dead on. Honestly, I don't think anyone thought the Sharks would win in 5 against the Wings, and who would've thought Philly in 7 when they were down 3-0 in the series and 3-0 in game 7? Ridiculous. Anyways, the 1 and 2 seeds in the West face off while the 7 and 8 seeds in the East match up. Is anyone going to pick the Eastern Conference Champs in the Cup finals?

Western Conference:
(1) San Jose Sharks v (2) Chicago Blackhawks: San Jose wins in 6.
I still have no faith in Niemi. When the Canucks actually played their offensive zone control game, they tore him apart. But I do have a bit more faith in the Blackhawks, because after watching them eliminate Vancouver in game 6, I realized how dominating their defensive zone scheme is. It isn't just Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook, its all 3 forwards playing perfect positioning as well. Honestly, Niemi isn't there to make brilliant saves; he's just there not to let softies in. The Blackhawks are like a combination of the Avalanche and Red Wings: they'll play solid defense and generate their offense from their own end, but they have the speed and transition like the Wings to quickly take the puck down to the other end of the ice. All of the media pointed at Joe Pavelski as the hero against Colorado and Thornton as the dominating force against Detroit, but what they overlooked is the one consistent Shark: Dan Boyle. He and Murray are a solid pair, but they have been abused from time to time. I think Dan Boyle's play is going to determine the outcome of a couple of important games. He needs to be able to defend against Chicago's 2nd and 3rd lines, and then transition the game through the neutral zone. The Toews line will get their points against Vlasic, just like I'm sure either the Sharks 1st or 2nd line will as well. These two teams are built similarly: 3 offensive lines, great penalty killing, and a solid 2-way game. The difference: Chicago has the better defensive lines, while the Sharks have the superior goaltender. Chicago won the season series 3-1 in pretty dominating form, but they also haven't played each other since January. Both teams fully rested. Both teams playing great hockey. I have a feeling there won't be a lot of 2-1 games. Momentum will make all the difference in the world, and that's why I'm not seeing this series go 7, as close as the match-up is.

Eastern Conference:
(7) Philadelphia Flyers vs (8) Montreal Canadiens: Montreal wins in 6.
I can no longer call the Canadiens underdogs anymore. Halak is a brick wall, and if the trap system can stuff Ovechkin and Crosby back to back, it will shut down anyone. I've been saying all playoffs that Montreal's offense is actually really scary even though their victories come with defense first, and Michael Cammalleri is single-handedly proving that. The reason why I actually give the Canadiens an early victory over the Flyers, however, has more to do with Philadelphia. Their offensive depth, despite the comeback against Boston, is sorely hurting without Jeff Carter who is expected to be out for another 2 weeks at least. Philadelphia abused their speed against Boston but that might just play right into the hands of Montreal. Leighton wasn't tested consistently in any of the 3 games he played in, and the one period where he was pressured he let in 3 goals, including a couple of softies. And honestly, I really don't want to see Chris Pronger against the Sharks in the Cup finals. As much shit as everyone both in the league and outside give him, he's the ideal playoff defenseman. The extra rest should help Montreal steal one on the road early as well.

Everyone I know wants a Habs/Sharks final, and although I'm predicting it, the Sharks/Blackhawks series could go either way. Even though San Jose beat Detroit 4-1, all 4 wins were 1 goal differentials. Detroit could've easily swept, or the series could've easily gone 7. I feel this match-up is going to be the same, and even though San Jose could win in 5 again, it won't be in any way dominating. Chicago also has the Marian Hossa factor, as he's been in the Cup finals the past 2 years. Lost, but been in them. It's funny: Mike Babcock called it. He said it's about time a team comes back from 3-0. I'm sure he wasn't thinking the Flyers, but he did say it was the year.