Stanley Cup Conference Semi Final Predictions

The quarterfinals of the Stanley Cup playoffs are now over.  I went 5-3 in my predictions.  The Chicago-Phoenix series saw the first 5 games go overtime, which tied the record set in the 1951 Stanley Cuyp Finals between Montreal and Toronto.  Also, the Blackhawks set a new record with 7 straight overtime games, dating back to the last 2 games of the quarterfinals vs Vancouver.

There were also suspensions that were handed out.  The biggest and most notable was the one that was handed down to Phoenix forward Raffi Torres.  During Game 3 of the series between Phoenix and Chicago in Chicago, he delivered an illegal check to the head of Chicago forward Marian Hossa by leaving his feet.  With him having been fined or suspended 5 times for the same type of play, he was issued a 25 game suspension on April 21.

My predictions for the Conference semifinals are as follows, beginning withn the Western Conference.

1.  (8) Los Angeles Kings vs (2) St. Louis Blues
           season series:  Los Angeles went 3-1 vs St. Louis, while St. Louis went 1-2-1 vs Los          Angeles.
           Prediction:  Los Angeles

2.  (4) Nashville Predators vs (3) Phoenix Coyotes

              season series:  Phoenix went 2-1-1 vs Nashville, Nashville went 2-2 vs Phoenix.
               prediction:  Phoenix


Eastern Conference

1.  (7) Washington Capitals vs (1) New York Rangers
             season series:  tied 2-2
              prediction:  New York

2.   (6) New Jersey Devils vs (5) Philadelphia Flyers
              season series:  Philadelphia was 3-2-1 vs New Jersey, the Devils were 3-3 vs Philadelphia.
             prediction:  Philadelphia

Stanley Cup Playoffs---Conference quarter final predictions

The NHL season is now over, and the playoffs are set to begin.  The 16 teams were set going into the final day, but not all the seedings.  That wasn't set until the final game of the NHL season, when San Jose defeated Los Angeles.  The final standings can be found here:

http://www.nhl.com/ice/standings.htm?type=con#&navid=nav-stn-conf

Now, the second season  begins.  What follows are my 1st round predictions.  Predictions for the 2nd round will be when the 1st round is over.  I'll begin witrh the Eastern conference.

1.   (1) New York Rangers v (8) Ottawa Senators
             season series:  Ottawa 3-1  (New York was 1-2-1 v Ottawa)
             prediction:  New York

2.   (2) Boston Bruins v (7) Washington Capitals
              season series:  Washington 3-1  (Boston was 1-2-1 v Washington)
               prediction:  Boston

3.    (3) Florida Panthers v (6) New Jersey Devils
               season series:  Florida 2-1-1 (NJ was 2-2 v Florida)
               prediction:  New Jersey

4.     (4) Pittsburgh Penguins v (5) Philadelphia Flyers
                season series:  Philadelphia 4-2 (Pittsburgh was 2-3-1 v Philadelphia)
                prediction:  Philadelphia


Western Conference:

1.     (1) Vancouver Canucks v (8) Los Angeles Kings
                season series:  Los Angeles 2-1-1 (Vancouver was 2-2 v Los Angeles)
                prediction:  Los Angeles

2.     (2)  St. Louis Blues v  (7) San Jose Sharks
                 season series:  St. Louis 4-0
                 prediction:  St. Louis

3.      (3) Phoenix Coyotes v (6) Chicago Blackhawks
                season series:  Phoenix 3-1 (Chicago was 1-2-1 v Phoenix)
                prediction:  Chicago

4.      (4) Nashville Predators v (5) Detroit Red Wings
                season series: tied 3-3
                 prediction:  Detroit