Pittsburgh SportsNation's NHL Conference Semi-Finals Predictions
By Mike Drakulich
After one of the most exciting opening rounds in NHL history, the Conference Semi-Final match-ups are set and ready to go. The defending champion Blackhawks looked dead in the water after falling down 2-0 in their series to the Blues, before reeling of four straight thrilling victories. The Kings became the 4th team in history to overcome a 3-0 series deficit to San Jose. Every series, save for Montreal v Tampa, and to some extent, Boston v Detroit, was chaos. The Semi's have plenty to live up to!
Let's recap my earlier predictions, of which, I predicted the series winner in 6 of 8.
Eastern Conference
Boston v Detroit
Prediction: Boston in 6
Result: Boston in 5
After dropping Game 1 to Detroit, the Bruins went to work and overwhelmed the Wings in the next 4.
Tampa Bay v Montreal
Prediction: Tampa in 7
Result: Montreal in 4
After one of the most exciting opening rounds in NHL history, the Conference Semi-Final match-ups are set and ready to go. The defending champion Blackhawks looked dead in the water after falling down 2-0 in their series to the Blues, before reeling of four straight thrilling victories. The Kings became the 4th team in history to overcome a 3-0 series deficit to San Jose. Every series, save for Montreal v Tampa, and to some extent, Boston v Detroit, was chaos. The Semi's have plenty to live up to!
Let's recap my earlier predictions, of which, I predicted the series winner in 6 of 8.
Eastern Conference
Boston v Detroit
Prediction: Boston in 6
Result: Boston in 5
After dropping Game 1 to Detroit, the Bruins went to work and overwhelmed the Wings in the next 4.
Tampa Bay v Montreal
Prediction: Tampa in 7
Result: Montreal in 4
I can't say it was a letdown by Tampa, since Ben Bishop was unable to play in the series, but the Lightning could've at least stolen ONE game! This was the only series I really was way off. Kudos to the Habs who were dominant, especially P.K. Subban.
New York Rangers v Philadelphia
Prediction: NY Rangers in 7
Result: NY Rangers in 7
This one went as predicted, as both teams fought valiantly every game. Steve Mason was excellent for Philly in Game 7, and had he played every game, the Flyers may have won.
Pittsburgh v Columbus
Prediction: Pittsburgh in 4
Result: Pittsburgh in 6
The Pens lack of focus led to Columbus stealing two games in OT, in which the Pens blew a 3rd period lead. Sid Crosby didn't score a goal and may have been playing injured early in the series.
Western Conference
Anaheim v Dallas
Prediction: Anaheim in 6
Result: Anaheim in 6
Dallas fought their hearts out, but in the end, the Ducks were too much for them to handle. This one looked as if it were headed to a Game 7, but the Stars blew a several leads in Game 6.
San Jose v Los Angeles
Prediction: LA in 7
Result: LA in 7
The Kings became the 4th NHL team in history to overcome a 3-0 series hole. San Jose, which already had a rep for playoff collapses, is going to remember this defeat for a very long time.
St. Louis v Chicago
Prediction: Chicago in 6
Result: Chicago in 7
Chicago watched St. Louis tie the game late in the first two games and win in OT. The Hawks rebounded by taking the next 4 in thrilling fashion. Easily the most exciting 1st Round series game for game.
Colorado v Minnesota
Prediction:Colorado in 6
Result: Minnesota in 7
Colorado was ready to take this series in 6, but the Wild didn't get the memo. Minnesota scored late in Game 7 to tie, and then took the series in OT.
Overall, 6 of 8 with predicting the series winner, and 3 of 8 were dead on. Now let's preview the Conference Semi's:
Boston v Montreal
If there is one team that gives Boston fits, it's Montreal. The Habs crushed Tampa in their series, and are looking to bury their fiercest rivals in this one. Boston is a championship caliber club, and going in, they were the Cup favorites, but after watching how Montreal played that first series, Boston may be headed for big trouble. Should be a hard fought series...Montreal in 7.
Pittsburgh v NY Rangers
Evgeni Malkin broke out of a goal scoring slump big time in Game 6 vs the Jackets with a Hat Trick. Sidney Crosby started to look like, well, Sidney Crosby again in that game as well, perhaps overcoming an undisclosed injury. The Rangers don't score much, and have never defeated the Penguins in post-season play, as they are 0-4 vs the 'Guins lifetime. Pittsburgh is the better team, question is, can the Penguins stop going to sleep during games? I'd predict this in 5, but...Pittsburgh in 6.
New York Rangers v Philadelphia
Prediction: NY Rangers in 7
Result: NY Rangers in 7
This one went as predicted, as both teams fought valiantly every game. Steve Mason was excellent for Philly in Game 7, and had he played every game, the Flyers may have won.
Pittsburgh v Columbus
Prediction: Pittsburgh in 4
Result: Pittsburgh in 6
The Pens lack of focus led to Columbus stealing two games in OT, in which the Pens blew a 3rd period lead. Sid Crosby didn't score a goal and may have been playing injured early in the series.
Western Conference
Anaheim v Dallas
Prediction: Anaheim in 6
Result: Anaheim in 6
Dallas fought their hearts out, but in the end, the Ducks were too much for them to handle. This one looked as if it were headed to a Game 7, but the Stars blew a several leads in Game 6.
San Jose v Los Angeles
Prediction: LA in 7
Result: LA in 7
The Kings became the 4th NHL team in history to overcome a 3-0 series hole. San Jose, which already had a rep for playoff collapses, is going to remember this defeat for a very long time.
St. Louis v Chicago
Prediction: Chicago in 6
Result: Chicago in 7
Chicago watched St. Louis tie the game late in the first two games and win in OT. The Hawks rebounded by taking the next 4 in thrilling fashion. Easily the most exciting 1st Round series game for game.
Colorado v Minnesota
Prediction:Colorado in 6
Result: Minnesota in 7
Colorado was ready to take this series in 6, but the Wild didn't get the memo. Minnesota scored late in Game 7 to tie, and then took the series in OT.
Overall, 6 of 8 with predicting the series winner, and 3 of 8 were dead on. Now let's preview the Conference Semi's:
Eastern Conference
Boston v Montreal
If there is one team that gives Boston fits, it's Montreal. The Habs crushed Tampa in their series, and are looking to bury their fiercest rivals in this one. Boston is a championship caliber club, and going in, they were the Cup favorites, but after watching how Montreal played that first series, Boston may be headed for big trouble. Should be a hard fought series...Montreal in 7.
Pittsburgh v NY Rangers
Evgeni Malkin broke out of a goal scoring slump big time in Game 6 vs the Jackets with a Hat Trick. Sidney Crosby started to look like, well, Sidney Crosby again in that game as well, perhaps overcoming an undisclosed injury. The Rangers don't score much, and have never defeated the Penguins in post-season play, as they are 0-4 vs the 'Guins lifetime. Pittsburgh is the better team, question is, can the Penguins stop going to sleep during games? I'd predict this in 5, but...Pittsburgh in 6.
Western Conference
Anaheim v Los Angeles
After coming back from down 3-0, what possibly can get in the way of the Kings? A tough Ducks team that plays physical. As usual, these games will be fought tooth and nail, but in the end, I think the Kings are set to roll...LA in 6.
Chicago v Minnesota
On paper, this looks like a colossal mismatch, but in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, anything can happen. Chicago, like the Penguins, needs to stop blowing late leads. Those are the kinds of defeats that linger in your head. Still, I can't see the Wild putting up much of a fight here...Chicago in 5.
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