One major upset and the finalization of an original six conference finals highlighted the final day of the conference semifinals.
Detroit Red Wings vs Anaheim Ducks: Detroit wins 4-3 (Detroit wins series 4-3)
It took a last minute effort and the luck of a non-whistle/interference call for Daniel Clearly to score the game winning goal in the third period, but after the Ducks came back twice to tie the score and seemed to have the Wings back on their heels in the 3rd period, the defending champions continue their quest to repeat as they move on to face the Chicago Blackhawks. Pavel Datsyuk didn't have the breakout game everyone expected after he was cheap-shotted by Scott Niedermayer, but he played a solid game and assisted on the pivotal 3rd goal for Detroit. The Red Wings once again outshot the Ducks by a huge margin, but this time their coach can't simply shrug it off as they now have to contemplate what to do with the top two defenseman in their defensive core that got them this far in the playoffs.
Boston Bruins vs Carolina Hurricanes: Carolina wins 3-2 (Carolina wins series 4-3)
The Carolina Hurricanes did it once again: upset a top-seeded team in the Eastern Conference in game 7 on the road. It almost took the entire overtime period, but Scott Walker chose a very good time to score his first goal of these playoffs. Everything was even in this game: shots on goal, penalty kills, and the level of play for both teams. The one thing that the Bruins can point a finger at what they did wrong was their inability to convert on 4 power play opportunities, something that will have the Boston community wondering where Zdeno Chara went during these playoffs.
A pretty exciting match-up in the Western Conference and a match-up that nobody saw coming in the East. And although on paper, Pittsburgh vs Carolina, like every other match-up the Hurricanes have faced this postseason, seems like a one-sided affair, well, the past two rounds have shown that Carolina can get it done against the best of them.
A look at my not so amazing prediction skills:
Correct teams advancing: 2 out of 4. Correct number of games in the series: 1 out of 4. Combination of both: 0 of 4. I love upsets.
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