Western Conference: (6) Calgary Flames vs. (1) Detroit Red Wings
The Calgary Flames snuck by Vancouver in game seven, despite having key players out due to injury and an inexperienced goalie. Clearly the upstart team of these playoffs, Calgary is mostly a team of role players and defensive defensemen, with Art Ross trophy winner Jarome Iginla being the lone exception.
Detroit, after dropping a pair in Nashville, took their series in six games. The Red Wings roster is full of experienced playoff talent, and won’t take the Flames anywhere nearly as lightly as it took the Predators. The Red Wings are better across the board, with experience to boot. Calgary goalie Miikka Kiprusoff might steal a game, but look for a quick exit from the worn out Flames. Detroit wins this series in five.
Western Conference: (4) Colorado Avalanche vs. (2) San Jose Sharks
David Aebischer has been the answer all season for Colorado, despite being the lone question mark in a stacked roster at the start of the season. While the Avs did obtain Tommy Salo and had struggles late in the season, those struggles quickly vanished against Dallas, as Colorado’s high-powered offense finally started firing on all cylinders.
San Jose disposed of perennial bridesmaid St. Louis in five games. The Sharks, which missed the playoffs last year, rely on a core of young talented players, such as Jonathan Cheechoo and Patrick Marleau.
Aebischer is still the big question mark, however. If he does not play well, the Sharks will be able to stay with the Colorado offense. If Aebsicher is stellar, however, another Detroit/Colorado conference final is in the works. Colorado wins a close on in six.
Eastern Conference: (7) Montreal Canadiens vs. (1) Tampa Bay Lightning
Montreal took advantage of a stagnant Boston effort in games 5-7 to rally from a 3-1 deficit and take their series. Riding the super-hot line of Alexei Kovalev, Saku Koivu, and Richard Zednik, the Canadiens made an excellent comeback after Kovalev’s monstrous gaffe in game four.
The Lightning had no problems with the Islanders, shutting down their offense and turning them aside in five games, three of which were won in a shutout. Martin St. Louis’ explosiveness and athleticism was on full display as he demonstrated why he is the most dynamic player in the game today.
Tampa Bay is just too much for Montreal. The only hope for the Canadiens lies in keeping their top offensive line rolling. If Tampa Bay can shut that line down, look for the Lightning to make the first conference final in franchise history. Tampa Bay cruises to victory in five.
Eastern Conference: (4) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (3) Philadelphia Flyers
Toronto, after being run to a seventh game by the Ottawa Senators, triumphed decisively on home ice in game 7. They rode playoff veterans Joe Nieuwendyk and Ed Belfour to victory, and look to do the same in the Conference Semfinal.
The Flyers took care of the defending champion New Jersey Devils in five games, as Devils superstar goalie Martin Brodeur played like an ordinary goalie, and Flyers rookie goalie Robert Esche stole the show and the series.
The interesting match-up in this series is Toronto’s backline against the intense forechecking of the Philadelphia’s sizeable corps of fowards. Whichever side can overpower the other will come out victorious. Toronto takes the series in seven.
