2010 STANLEY CUP FINALS PREDICTIONS

Conference Finals


Eastern Conference

Montreal (8) vs. Philadelphia (7) - Montreal in 7 Games

After going an impressive 0-4 in the last round I've lost confidence in my picks. I've killed it the last two years and this year is absolutely brutal. I don't have the slightest amount of confidence in my picks for this round and in fact I flipped a coin. I believe Montreal is the real deal. After taking out arguably the two favourites in the East, the Habs are looking confident. Halak has been absolutely unconscious in goal and Cammalleri (one of my personal favourites) has been incredible. Philly is coming off a historic comeback from 0-3 down in their series versus Boston and they also look good. Goaltending could be an issue as Michael Leighton hasn't looked completely comfortable in goal. This should be an entertaining series.


Western Conference

Chicago (2) vs. San Jose (1) - San Jose in 6 Games

With Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau finally pulling their weight, Danny Heatley will need to step up too. If San Jose gets both of their top lines rolling they`ll be a hard group to stop even with Chicago`s impressive blue-line. I`d like to see Chicago take the Cup this year, but it just seems like it`s San Jose`s year. This should be an offensive series with a ton of scoring. With each team having All-Star lineups this could be one of the more entertaining series in these playoffs.


Conference Semi-Finals


Eastern Conference

Philadelphia (7) vs. Boston (6) - Boston in 7 Games

After a brilliant first round by both of these franchises in which both knocked out top-three teams this should be one of the more entertaining series in these Playoffs. Although they beat the Devils handily in five games, the Flyers lost some key players in the first round. Gagne and Carter are both out with foot injuries and Laperierre is likely done for the season after a puck struck him in the face. The Bruins on the other hand add a key player to the lineup as Marc Savard returns from a concussion. The goaltending of Tuukka Rask along with the addition of Savard and the three key Philadelphia injuries will be the difference in this one.


Montreal (8) vs. Pittsburgh (4) - Pittsburgh in 6 Games

What an upset! Much respect to the Montreal Canadiens for their first round upset over the Washington Capitals. Halak stood on his head and Gill and company were fearless blocking shots. This should be a great series: Sidney Crosby versus his childhood team. Crosby and the Penguins played a solid first round but didn't look like the Stanley Cup team of last year. Pittsburgh will need contributions from everyone, especially Crosby, Malkin and Gonchar. Look for Sidney to step up and carry his team in this one.


Western Conference

Detroit (5) vs. San Jose (1) - Detroit in 6 Games

Neither team dominated their first-round matchups; in fact there were points where it looked likely that both would make an early exit. Nonetheless they both pulled out victories and will need to step-up to continue on. It's been said again and again but where have Joe Thornton and Danny Heatley been? If not for Pavelski and Setoguchi the Sharks would be playing golf right now. Years of disappointment have lead to a lack-of-confidence in the Sharks and it doesn't help that they lost the season series 3-1 to the Wings. The "Two-Headed Monster" along with the "Mule" will have a big impact on this series and may be too much for the Sharks to handle in a best-of-seven series.


Vancouver (3) vs. Chicago (2) - Vancouver in 7 Games

I don't really have faith in the Canucks, nor do I really like the team, but their first round versus the Kings was impressive. Chicago on the other hand wasn't overly impressive versus the Predators in the first round. Luongo will need to shine in this one for the Canucks to have a change and I believe that he will for the most part. You can count on one bad game by Captain Canuck, but he will be solid overall through this series. The Sedin twins have really matured over the last year, one of them having won the Art Ross Trophy this season (I'm not sure which one, they're interchangeable really) and they should be dominant in this series. I hope the 'Hawks win because I enjoy watching them, but I think Vancouver will take this one.



Conference Quarter-Finals


Eastern Conference

Ottawa (5) vs. Pittsburgh (4) - Pittsburgh in 6 Games

As much as I despise the very existence of the Ottawa Senators, don't expect them to be taken out quickly. The Pittsburgh Penguins haven't been the powerhouse team they've been the last few years. Sidney Crosby was all but forced to shoot the puck more this season as he hasn't had much help around him. Ottawa has been good of late. Spezza is putting the puck in the net more and they need him to step-up in the Playoffs for them to have a chance.


Boston (6) vs. Buffalo (3) - Buffalo in 6 Games

The Bruins have some depth in net, but although Tuukka Rask had the best save percentage in the NHL, he'll be no match for Ryan Miller. If the Sabres can put the puck in the opposing team's goal they'll be hard to beat as Miller may be the best goaltender in the world right now. Vanek needs to score goals like he's paid to do and the Sabres should come out on top in this one.


Philadelphia (7) vs. New Jersey (2) - Philadelphia in 7 Games

I've changed my mind about this series multiple times and I'm not sold either way. I'm going to go with my initial instincts and go with the Flyers. Philadelphia is coming into the Playoffs with a healthier roster than they've had all season long. Even the addition of Ilya Kovalchuk and the presence of Martin Brodeur in goal won't be able to complete with a healthy Flyers lineup. There is too much depth in their roster and they took five of six regular season games against the Devils.


Montreal (8) vs. Washington (1) - Washington in 5 Games

I hope to see a sweep here, but I think the Habs will squeak out a (single) win in this series. Washington's firepower will be too much for the Canadiens to handle and this won't end up being much of a series. I don't think goaltending will end up being a major issue for the Capitals in this series.


Western Conference

Detroit (5) vs. Phoenix (4) - Detroit in 6 Games

The Coyotes have been a pleasant surprise this season and their goaltending has been superb. That being said, the Red Wings have been on fire of late and given their veteran presence they should dominate this series. The Coyotes will put up a fight, but they'll be no match for the Datsyuk, Zetterberg and the Wings.


Los Angeles (6) vs. Vancouver (3) - Vancouver in 7 Games

This series can go either way. Vancouver went 38-3 at home this season which is more than impressive, but the young Los Angeles Kings could potentially prevail in what I think will be the best series of the first round. If Luongo can keep it together the Canucks will come out on top in this series. That's a big 'if'.


Nashville (7) vs. Chicago (2) - Chicago in 5 Games

Chicago's young gunning squad should own the puck in this series and win it handily. The key will be their control of the puck and staying away from Shea Weber in the offensive zone. If the regular season was any signal, the 'Hawks have the potential to go far in these playoffs.


Colorado (8) vs. San Jose (1) - San Jose in 5 Games

Don't expect a sweep here, but the underachieving Sharks need to build momentum and confidence against the Avalanche if they hope to have any chance at their first Stanley Cup. The Sharks have been favoured the past few seasons and have choked every time. Joe Thornton will need to ignore his critics and just play his game. Marleau has quietly had himself a fantastic season and will be looked upon as one of the leaders.