NHL Western Conference Semifinal Predictions

The Western Conference Semifinal round is set after the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Anaheim Ducks in Game 7 late Sunday night. Here are the matchups along with my predictions.

1. Chicago Blackhawks vs. 7. Detroit Red Wings

The Blackhawks will be well rested after defeating the Minnesota Wild in 5 games while the Red Wings are coming off a hard fought 7 game series versus the Anaheim Ducks. Detroit goaltender Jimmy Howard was outstanding in the first round and he will have to continue his outstanding play if the Red Wings want to advance to the Western Conference Final. Patrick Sharp led the Blackhawks in the first round with 5 goals and 1 assist and Marian Hossa chipped in with 3 goals and 3 assists. I expect the Blackhawks potent offense to lead the charge and advance to the Western Conference Final.

Prediction: Chicago Blackhawks in 6

5. Los Angeles Kings vs. 6. San Jose Sharks

The Kings will face the Sharks in the other Western Conference Semifinal matchup. This series should be very physical and closely contested. The Sharks swept the Vancouver Canucks in the first round while the Kings won 4 straight after dropping the first two games to the St. Louis Blues. Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick was stellar in net against the Blues and Jeff Carter led the Kings offense with 3 goals. The Sharks were led by their power-play unit in their first round matchup. Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski each scored 3 power-play goals in the sweep of the Canucks. If the Kings can stay out of the box and Jonathan Quick stays hot, the Kings should return to the Western Conference Final.

Prediction: Los Angeles Kings in 7

2013 NHL Western Conference Quarterfinals Preview & Predictions

The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs are finally here. After a shortened season due to the lockout, the Western Conference first round matchups are all set. The Presidents’ Trophy winning Chicago Blackhawks clinched the #1 seed and home ice advantage throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It will not be an easy road for Chicago as the West is very deep this year and you can make a strong case for 6 of the 8 teams in the West making it to the Stanley Cup Finals. Here are the matchups along with my predictions.

#1 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #8 Minnesota Wild

Minnesota won their final game of the regular season just to clinch a playoff berth and has the unenviable task of taking on the best team in the league. The Chicago Blackhawks have a ton of depth and too much offense for the offensively challenged Wild.

Prediction: Chicago Blackhawks in 5

#2 Anaheim Ducks vs. #7 Detroit Red Wings

The Ducks had an excellent regular season finishing with the third highest total points in the NHL (66) while the Red Wings won their final 4 games of the regular season just to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This series is going to tell us a lot about the Anaheim Ducks. Will they allow the crafty veterans of the Detroit Red Wings to get under their skin and force them to take bad penalties or will they rely on their speed and talent in their attempt to advance to the second round? Even though these teams had vastly different regular seasons, I think this series goes the distance because of the Red Wings playoff experience and advantage in goal. In the end, I think the Ducks do just enough to edge out the Wings.

Prediction: Anaheim Ducks in 7

#3 Vancouver Canucks vs. #6 San Jose Sharks

This is a another great first round matchup that features two teams that started out the year with visions of winning the Cup. The Sharks have had a history of playoff failures and unfortunately they are facing a team that was in the Stanley Cup Finals just two seasons ago. The Canucks are deeper and more talented on offense, defense, and in goal. Look for the Sedin twins to have a big series as the Canucks add to the Sharks playoff woes.

Prediction: Vancouver Canucks in 6

#4 St. Louis Blues vs. #5 Los Angeles Kings

This is the best and most exciting first round series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. These two teams could have very well met in the Western Conference Finals but are facing each other in round one. The 2012 Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings stumbled out of the gate during the regular season but turned it around and had a strong finish to qualify as the #5 seed. The Blues were strong and consistent all year long and have a great mix of speed, size, and grit. This series might go down as one of the best Stanley Cup Playoff series in recent memory.  I will be tuned in for every second of it.

Prediction: St. Louis Blues in 7

2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 Predictions

After a fantastic regular season, the NHL playoffs are set to begin on Wednesday night. The first round features some great match-ups and a few Cup contenders will be eliminated in Round 1.  The series I am most excited to watch is the Penguins vs. Flyers match-up.  These two teams ended the regular season with two intense games and the playoffs will only make the games better.  Here are my picks for Round 1, feel free to make your picks in the comment section below.

Eastern Conference
1. NY Rangers vs. 8. Ottawa Senators – Rangers in 5
2. Boston Bruins vs. 7. Washington Capitals – Bruins in 6
3. Florida Panthers vs. 6. New Jersey Devils – Devils in 6
4. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 5. Philadelphia Flyers – Penguins in 7

Western Conference

1. Vancouver Canucks vs. 8. Los Angeles Kings – Canucks in 5
2. St. Louis Blues vs. 7. San Jose Sharks – Sharks in 7
3. Phoenix Coyotes vs. 6. Chicago Blackhawks – Blackhawks in 6
4. Nashville Predators vs. 5. Detroit Red Wings – Predators in 7