2008 NHL Conference Finals Predictions

Can you believe the 2008 NHL Conference Finals are going to start tonight?  It all went by so fast.  I don’t know how you feel but I always wish it wouldn’t end so quickly.  I just want to enjoy every day of the playoffs but before I know it, it’s over. 

I thought I would take a little time for myself tonight and sit down to think about how this last series before the Stanley Cup Finals is going to go down.

In the Eastern Conference we’ve got the two teams from Pennsylvania.  There have been times, I’ll admit, when I wondered if there really should be two teams in that one quiet state but, this year, I have been proven wrong.

• The goaltending is good on both the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers but I’d have to give the edge to Martin Biron (Flyers) over Marc-Andre Fleury (Pens). 
• I can’t decide between the goal-scorers because I believe that Flyers Daniel Briere (smart trade!) and Vaclav Prospal (among others) can give Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin a run for their money, especially given the lack of playoff experience for the latter Pens.  Too close for me.
• Defensively, I think the teams are similar with the Pens being a little more energetic and the Flyers being a little more experienced.
• In terms of Power Plays, the teams are, again, similar but the Pens are a bit better on the penalty kill.

My choice: Pittsburgh.  Not only do I think they can win, I want to see them win.  I won’t cry if Philly wins though since they have turned this team around in a year and it’s been nothing short of amazing to watch.

In the Western Conference we’ve got the Dallas Stars going up against the Detroit Red Wings.  As with the Eastern Conference, this is a tough one to call.  

• Both teams have good goalies but Dallas’ Marty Turco has the experience and the puck-handling abilities to triumph over Red Wing netminder, Chris Osgood.  Chris is good, don’t get me wrong but I think Turco has the potential to be far better.
• Forwards like Dallas’ Brendan Morrow are going to make life very tough for the Red Wings along with Brad Richards (another smart trade!) and the two Mikes (Ribeiro and Modano) but the Red Wings are like a playoffs machine with skilled players like Henrik Zetterberg.  Should be an interesting match-up.
• Defensively, the Red Wings have a major advantage.  In my opinion, they just barely stay on the “legal” side with their physical play but it works for them and it’s something for Dallas to worry about.
• Detroit is better on the Power Play but both teams are about equal in terms of penalty kills.  As long as Dallas doesn’t give up any unnecessary penalties, they should stand a chance.

My Choice:  Too close to call.  I’d love to see Dallas take it but my heart says that Detroit is too hungry to lose.  We’ll just have to wait and see.

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