The Conference Finals are about to start. I’m excited. I think both series will be great. Play is set to start Thursday night with the Red Wings and the Stars. So that is where I’ll start.

Detroit Red Wings vs. Dallas Stars

Two straight years the Red Wings have now made it to the Western Conference Finals. Last year, they lost to the soon to be Stanley Cup Champs, Anaheim Ducks. They struggled in the opening series against Nashville but their current sweep of the Avalanche show the Red Wings are firing on all cylinders. Detroit switched goaltenders in the Nashville series and it seemed to have worked for the better. Dominick Hasek struggled against the Predators, but Chris Osgood sealed the deal and was tremendous against Colorado.  But Jose Theodore was a horrible goaltender and Marty Turco will be a lot tougher to beat. The Stars have had a tough road to get to the Western Finals. They beat the defending champs, and beat the hottest team going into the playoffs the Sharks. The Sharks were picked by pretty much everyone to win the Cup this year. Turco has proven he is an able net minder as he had 61 saves in 4 OTs in his last game against the Sharks.  This is truly going to be a great series.

There are a couple guys coming into the series that are on fire. Johan Franzen had a couple hat tricks against Colorado and 11 goals in the postseason. Marty Turco for the Stars seems to be pretty solid against good scoring teams. It will be interesting to see if either can remain hot in the series.

Its going to be a great series in the West and of course, I’m going to pick the Red Wings. Yeah yeah, they are old, but experience is invaluable in the playoffs. And of course, I have to pick my team. That nice rest they had too will help those old-timers. The Red Wings might start out slow but the series will go to 7 and the Wings come out on top.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers

How about a PA battle to go to the Stanley Cup? This series is going to be awesome. I know there are many Penguin fans chomping at the bit to get the cup back in Pittsburgh. The Penguins are the hottest team in the playoffs without a question. They spanked Ottawa and skated circles around the Rangers. They have only lost once in the playoffs thus far. The “baby” Pens seem to have grown up since last season. Malkin, Crosby, and Fleury developed well and lead the Pens into the Eastern Conference Finals. The Flyers have defeated the Capitals in seven. I thought they would not make it past Montreal, but surprise. It seems a long time ago since the Flyers finished dead last in the league! Look at them now playing for a chance to go to the Stanley Cup.

This series is going to be physical. The Flyers are the hard hitters but hey the Pens showed me up. I thought the Pens would have troubles against the Ranger’s grinders but they laid the smack down on them. You can be sure to expect the same here as well. Martin Biron will have to be stellar against Pittsburgh’s offensive talent. I think the Penguins win this series in 6 games. They seem to be too much for the Flyers.

Yeah I know, the second round of the playoffs are almost over. I have been busy with finals. 
Currently, The Red Wings lead the Series over the Avalanche 3-0. I personally would love a sweep and think its possible but I think the Wings win in 5 for sure. 
The Dallas Stars lead the San Jose Sharks 3-1 as well. WTF? The Sharks were picked to win it all by everyone... NOT ME!! I am enjoying this series and hope the Stars close it out. Take that Barry Melrose!
How about those Penguins? Another 3-0 lead over the Rangers. I hear a lot of people calling for the brooms again. As much as I dislike the Penguins I hope they make it the cup. Damn you Torok and Scotty G!
The Flyers are winning the series against the Habs, 3-1. Wow! I thought the Canadians would be putting up a better fight than this. But thats what you get for desecrating ROCKY BALBOA!!! Don't believe me? Check out what my buddy sent me from the 700 level. http://www.the700level.com/2008/04/canadian
s-desec.html
I promise to have the next series of play up and ready to go before they start. Thanks for reading.PEACE

Alright I have all my picks in and just before the games started too. Hope you enjoy. Thanks for reading

1 Montreal vs. 8 Boston

 

The Canadiens finished number one in the East this season, edging the Penguins by two points. Their opponents are the Boston Bruins, who are in their fourth playoff appearance in the time frame of 2000-2008. The Bruins flew under the radar without their top scorer Mark Savard and Chuck Kobasew. Tim Thomas has shed his career minor league status. He had the fourth highest save percentage in the NHL. Don’t forget the Canadiens trade of Huet for a second round pick. Most thought then the Canadiens would slide, but Price did a good job of picking up the slack.

Keys to the series: As it seems to be a reoccurrence in each series, it has to be the goaltending for both teams. This is Carey Price and Tim Thomas first playoff experience. Both goalies have about the same stats. But I have to believe that the Canadiens give Price a better supporting cast. On a side note, Price is the first under 20 years of age goaltender to get 20 wins since Patrick Roy.

Pick: I got to go with the Canadiens on this one. They have the better offense and defense. But the Bruins won’t go away that easy. Montreal wins the series 4-2.

 

2 Pittsburgh vs. 7 Ottawa

 

I know for a fact that there are many Penguin fans (Greis and Torok) are looking forward to this match up. Last season, the Penguins and Crosby entered their first playoff berth and were smacked around by the Senators. I think the tables are turned this year. The Senators limped into the playoffs going 3-6-1 their last 10 games. Not to mention the injuries of stars Mike Fisher and Capt. Daniel Alfredsson. The Penguins have everyone healthy, including Sidney Crosby, and will make a deep run in the playoffs.

Keys to the series:  Personally, I don’t have any keys to this one. I honestly think the Penguins are going to dominate the Senators, enough said.

Pick: Duh! Penguins win the series 4-1.

 

3 Washington vs. 6 Philadelphia

 

The Capitals are in their first playoffs since 2003. The Flyers went from worst to sixth. Alexander Ovechkin has proved his worth and pick up the Caps and hulled them to a division title and playoff berth. The Caps are probably the hottest team going into the playoffs going 9-1-0 their last 10 games. The Flyers are 7-2-1 in their last 10. I think this is going to be the best series to watch in the first round.

Keys to series: Alexander Ovechkin is the only factor of this series. As I said earlier He carried the Caps to the playoffs this year and the Caps will need him in the first round.

Pick: It’s a tough series but the Caps come out on top winning the series 4-3.

 

4 New Jersey vs. 5 New York Rangers

 

These teams are not strangers. Division rivals are at it again. The Rangers dominated the Devils all season, but still got a lower seed. The Rangers have been waiting for the playoffs since free agency. With the additions of Scott Gomez (former Devil) and Chris Drury, they are looking to make a Cup run. They are led by Capt. Jaromir Jagr who is playing his best at the end of the season. The Devils seem past their time now, only having star Martin Brodeur left from the glory days.

 

Keys to the series: I think its home ice advantage. The Rangers are 17-15-9 away from the Garden. But since the series is in New Jersey, it’s like playing in your own back yard. Jagr needs to play great for the Rangers to win the series as well. The Rangers have a lot of offensive potential, but the means to that is Jagr.

 

Pick: I think the Rangers scrap it together for the first round and win the series 4-2.