NHL Conference Semifinals Preview

Eastern Conference Semifinals

#1 Buffalo v. #6 New York Rangers

Buffalo took good care of the spunky team from Long Island. Now the best team in the NHL moves the act to the New York team that plays Broadway. Both teams are well rested, the Sabres winning in 5 and the hot Rangers winning in 4. The Rangers Sean Avery was talking a little trash this week about how they're going to hit Buffalo harder every time. I think this is a little premature on his part. The Rangers cruised past Atlanta, but Buffalo is leaps and bouds better. It should be a good series, and the Rangers should put up a fight, but the Sabres are just too deep for the Rangers.

Buffalo in 6

#2 New Jersey v. #4 Ottawa

I think the Lighting exposed some vunerabilities in New Jersey. If Martin Brodeur isn't solid, we can see that the Devils D can be beaten by the likes of Tampa Bay Forwards. Enter the Ottawa Senators with threats of 4 scoring lines, and a team that held the best rookies in the leauge off the board in the first round. If the Devils win this series it will be becasue Brodeur outplayed Emery, but I don't think Brodeur can do enough.

Ottawa in 6

Western Conference Semifinals

#1 Detroit v. #5 San Jose

So Detroit outlasted Calgary in 2 ots to win game six and send the flames home for the summer, despite being beat up. The Sharks are 3 lines deep and made good work of the Predators. However, this is not the Matchup the Sharks wanted, they were certainly rooting to get Vancouver or Anaheim (had a lower seed than them advanced). However the Red Wings got bead up pretty good in their series, and the Sharks boast a great offense and good goaltending.

Sharks in 6

#2 Anaheim v. #3 Vancouver

Two teams I hate, the Ducks just userped the 'nucks for the top spot on the teams I hate board. But the Ducks play great defense which will spell disaster for a Vancouver offense that went missing for two games in the Stars series. Unless the refs give Vancouver the same kind of treatment the Ducks got in their opening round, this will be over pretty quick for Vancouver, I'm not holding my breath for them.

Ducks in 5.