Stanley Cup Prediction - Conference Finals

Well, I batted .500 in each of the conference semis. So here goes for the final rounds with the winners facing off for the Stanley Cup.

In the West, I predicted Detroit over the Ducks, but I blew the other series. I thought Luongo had all the answers for the fast young guns out of the Windy City. Oh well, can't get em all!

In the final, I like the Red Wings, but it will take seven games. Chicago has great goaltending experience, some great young forwards, but only 3 top flight defensemen. This will spell trouble for the Hawks with the Wings rolling four lines and the defense having to contend not only with Holmstrom and Franzen, but also Cleary crashing the net. And, don't forget that Detroit has a lot of speed up front. (Did you see Helm's break away goal against the Ducks? WOW!!)

In the East, once again I batted .500. I thought the Caps would be hungrier than the Pens and the Ovechkin would outplay Crosby.

The other series featured TERRIBLE refereeing, and although the Canes prevailed it was in spite of the best efforts of the NHL to keep them out of the final. Games 5 and 6 were blatantly the NHL's best (or worst) effort to determine the outcome of the series. I was so disgusted I turned off game 5 in middle of the 2nd period.

Just shows you how good Cam Ward is as a clutch performer not only did he foil the Bruins, but also the troika of Bettman, Daley and Campbell.

Unless the NHL insists on Crosby making it to the Cup finals look for the Canes to beat the Pens in six. The reason: Cam Ward!