NHL 2010 Playoffs Conference Semifinals Predictions

Western Conference:
(1)San Jose Sharks vs (5)Detroit Red Wings: San Jose wins in 5.
Here it is: the match-up that was supposed to happen for the past 4 years but never has. San Jose is historically bad against the Red Wings, both in the playoffs and when playing in Detroit. They're also historically bad in the second round of the playoffs (all you people making fun of the Sharks for early exits of the post-season should realize last year's defeat against Anaheim was the first time in 6 years they lost in the first round). Detroit has made it to the Stanley Cup finals in the past 2 year, and they are the model team that San Jose has actually tried to build their own around under Todd McLellan. The only thing San Jose has working for them is that Detroit's defense is aging noticeably, even with Niklas Lidstrom on the blue line, and their rookie goaltender has looked very shaky at times in the playoffs. But their last game was a 6-1 domination over Phoenix where the Red Wings showed that they can still look like the team that everyone has been fearing over the past decade. I'm assuming the hockey world favors Detroit in this match-up. I agree. San Jose has to dominate early and go up 3-1 and win the game at home in game 5. If it's tied 2-2 and it becomes a best out of 3, the odds are too stacked in favor of Detroit.

(2)Chicago Blackhawks vs (3)Vancouver Canucks: Vancouver wins in 6.
The Blackhawks showed their glaring weaknesses over the Predators, even in the game 6 elimination. Their goaltending is horrible and they only have two good defensemen, who both play on the same line. They are the Washington Capitals of the Western Conference as they simply try to outscore their mistakes. But now they face the Vancouver Canucks, who have equal offensive talent but an all-star goaltender who has a lot to prove in the postseason and a recovering defensive line. Despite the seedings, the rebirth of Jonathan Toews in the past 2 games, and the Marian Hossa factor (2 straight Stanley Cup finals appearances), the Canucks should take this easily, at least on paper. If Luongo continues his postseason struggles, the Canucks should still win, but it will make the series much more exciting.

Eastern Conference:
(4)Pittsburgh Penguins vs (8)Montreal Canadiens: Pittsburgh wins in 5.
A lot can be said about Washington choking: they've never had a good postseason goaltender, and Alexander Semin never got into the series. But you have to give props to Jaroslav Halak and the Canadien offense. They reworked the top 3 lines completely in the off-season, and although they've struggled at times during the regular season, they've shown to play in the playoffs. I mean, Tomas Plekanec is their third line center for crying out loud. Pittsburgh's defense should be put to the test and it's hard to bet against Halak after he shut down Washington's offense in 3 straight elimination games, but I doubt Evgeni Malkin will choke like Semin and although the Senators weren't much of a measuring stick for the Penguins, that may prove to be the X-factor in this series: an easy time for the Pens who should be fresh against the Canadiens coming off the fight of their lives.

(6)Boston Bruins vs (7)Philadelphia Flyers: Philadelphia wins in 7.
This is the hardest series to pick so far in this playoffs, so let's pick apart these teams. First, Boston handled Buffalo in a closer-than-it-seemed series, but they are much more built for the playoffs. The Flyers, as I thought during the offseason, are the epitome of a solid playoff team and might contend for the Stanley Cup this year, exemplified by their 5 game rout of the Devils. Brian Boucher is showing what he's capable of, but the problem is he's never been able to do it consistently, and he was helped a lot by the Devils never being able to find their power play. But the Flyers are built full of nasty tough guys who can score a lot too, and they will be a handful for the Bruins, especially given their rivalry and the Winter Classic they had this January. Boston has the better goaltending and defense, but their offense is slightly worse. This should be a battle to the finish, and odds are whoever comes out of this alive will be too worn out in the conference finals. That is, of course, unless the Flyers manage to blow out their opponent again.

At this point, it looks like it will be a Canucks/Penguins finals. I still have no faith in the Blackhawks, and outside of being a Sharks fan I can't really see Detroit as an underdog. They are always getting older and yet they still manage to maintain their playoff performances. The Flyers are my new dark horse (since LA has been eliminated), but again, I don't expect them to come out of the Boston series healthy or fresh. Pittsburgh will have the easiest road to the Stanley Cup in recent memory, despite the craziness of the top 3 seeds in the East being eliminated. If San Jose manages to eliminate Detroit, the Sharks vs. Canucks series should be a great Western Conference finals, unlike the past 2 years where Detroit pretty much did what they needed to do. If the Blackhawks or the Canadiens make the finals, I'll be stunned, although it is very conceivable. Again, it's more of a lack of faith thing than anything else. They have the talent and players to do so.