This article is part of our NHL Waiver Wire series.
After a 7-1 first round, our second round predictions were a little less reliable. Our calls on Montreal and Minnesota were less than stellar -- although in our defense, we did say that we could see the Minnesota series going either way. We'll be the first to admit, however, that we certainly didn't expect a sweep.
Western Conference Finals: Anaheim Ducks (P1) v. Chicago Blackhawks (C3)
We expect this series to be a war, and like many years prior, we think the victor will raise the spoils in the next round. Both these juggernauts have played exactly 10 games in the postseason thus far; Anaheim vanquishing the Jets in four straight in the first round, while Chicago did likewise to Minnesota in the second. Both teams are fresh, and relatively unhurt thus far. Key will be the loss of Michal Rozsival to the Blackhawk blueline, who suffered a horrific ankle fracture in Game 4 of the last round. The calculus for determining the outcome of this matchup is quite simple: while Anaheim's second line of Jakob Silfverberg, Ryan Kesler and Matt Beleskey could shut down the Jonathan Toews line, we don't think that anybody on Chicago can shut down the white-hot Ryan Getzlaf/Corey Perry line. The fact is we think Anaheim is too big, too strong, too hot and too healthy for Chicago to contain. Chicago holds the season series two games to one, but Anaheim has home-ice advantage. In this playoff year, teams with home-ice advantage
After a 7-1 first round, our second round predictions were a little less reliable. Our calls on Montreal and Minnesota were less than stellar -- although in our defense, we did say that we could see the Minnesota series going either way. We'll be the first to admit, however, that we certainly didn't expect a sweep.
Western Conference Finals: Anaheim Ducks (P1) v. Chicago Blackhawks (C3)
We expect this series to be a war, and like many years prior, we think the victor will raise the spoils in the next round. Both these juggernauts have played exactly 10 games in the postseason thus far; Anaheim vanquishing the Jets in four straight in the first round, while Chicago did likewise to Minnesota in the second. Both teams are fresh, and relatively unhurt thus far. Key will be the loss of Michal Rozsival to the Blackhawk blueline, who suffered a horrific ankle fracture in Game 4 of the last round. The calculus for determining the outcome of this matchup is quite simple: while Anaheim's second line of Jakob Silfverberg, Ryan Kesler and Matt Beleskey could shut down the Jonathan Toews line, we don't think that anybody on Chicago can shut down the white-hot Ryan Getzlaf/Corey Perry line. The fact is we think Anaheim is too big, too strong, too hot and too healthy for Chicago to contain. Chicago holds the season series two games to one, but Anaheim has home-ice advantage. In this playoff year, teams with home-ice advantage have won eight of the 12 series to date. Given how tight these two teams are, we think that might be the difference in this series. No matter who comes out of the West, we're in for some fantastic hockey with a lot of scoring.
Anaheim in six; the Ducks are just too deep for Chicago to contain
Eastern Conference Finals: New York Rangers (M1) v. Tampa Bay Lightning (A2)
This series is lining up to be a case-study in what wins championships: prolific offense or stifling defense. On one hand, the Lightning have lit the lamp at a torrid pace this off-season. Led by early Conn Smythe favorite Tyler Johnson, Tampa Bay has recorded eight power play goals, and ten more total goals than opponent New York. Their success against Montreal stemmed from their ability to solve MVP Carey Price - no small task considering the season he had. New York, on the other hand, has survived the entire postseason shutting down such scoring proclivity. In two series -- first Pittsburgh, then Washington -- the Rangers have only allowed 20 goals; an average of less than two goals a game against two of the more gifted scoring machines. As we have seen in countless examples, defense almost always overcomes, leaving the ball in New York's court. The problem that the Rangers will have, however, is that the Lightning defense is no slouch themselves. Ben Bishop is having a stellar playoff year, and the blueline for Tampa has been just as effective as the Ranger's corps. The result will most likely be a bipolar series; high scoring followed by a tight affair. We're torn on this prediction, but we'll hold true to our original belief that New York will win the Stanley Cup this year.
New York in seven; Lightning doesn't strike thrice.
