Well the conference finals are set and it matches up the last four Stanley Cup winners. It's the first time since 1945 that this has happened, and should make for an unbelievable final four. In what could be the equivalent of FIFA’s Champion’s League, Los Angeles (2012) will take on Chicago (2010) in the Western Conference while Pittsburgh (2009) will play Boston (2011).
The Western Conference provided us with plenty of drama and both finalists were stretched to seven games. Both Chicago and Los Angeles can consider themselves lucky to be alive in the 2013 playoffs. Chicago in particular dug themselves out of a 3-1 series hole before winning the series finale in overtime.
The defending Stanley Cup champs snuck past their in state rivals San Jose with a 2-1 Game 7 win. The Kings seem to have found the formula that helped them to the title last season. Jonathan Quick looks like the Conn Smythe winning goaltender from last season.
Over in the Eastern Conference Boston and Pittsburgh are chomping at the bit to get back on the ice after wrapping up each of their respective series in five games. Both teams seemed to have little trouble moving through the semifinals, and each probably benefitted from some time off to let some bruises and bumps heal.
So who will move on in the ultimate tournament of NHL (defending) champions? The next round gets underway this weekend with the top-seeded Penguins hosting the Bruins Saturday night at 8 p.m. EST. Earlier in the day Chicago will host the defending champs at the West Madison Avenue Madhouse at 5 p.m. EST. Here’s how I see each series playing out.
Eastern Conference 1) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 4) Boston Bruins
Each of these clubs have yet to be tested in the playoffs and will face each other with contrasting styles and strengths. Pittsburgh is an offensive juggernaut with six players sitting with 10 or more points in the playoffs thus far. The Bruins are a big, nasty physical team that plays fantastic and aggressive defense.
Something obviously has to give, and the Penguins will find very little room to skate with the Bruins heading them off at every turn. There will be opportunities for Pittsburgh to get their stars moving. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin will get chances to stretch their legs from time to time and will keep their head on a swivel for Boston’s Zdeno Chara.
The hulking Bruin blueliner will more than likely be shadowing one or both of the two stars each time they hit the ice. Unfortunately he won’t actually be able to play all 60 minutes and the Penguins will find their way to the goal a few times. The problem with Pittsburgh will be keeping Boston from putting pucks past their own goalie de jour, Tomas Vokoun. The 36-year old might not appreciate the title of journeyman, but six teams in his career make him just that. Keeping the door shut on pesky teams like the Islanders and Senators is one thing, but Boston is a different beast.
In the playoffs for almost every sport, defense trumps offense. Vokoun has been a nice story, but don’t be surprised to see Marc-Andre Fleury back in net at some point. Pittsburgh might have more talent on paper, but games aren’t won on paper, they are won in my television. Big bad Bruins in seven games.
Western Conference 1) Chicago Blackhawks vs. 5) Los Angeles Kings
At some point I think we all have to acknowledge that Corey Crawford is actually a pretty good goalie. He might have actually been the best player on the ice in Chicago’s series against Detroit. He was certainly the most consistent. Chicago looked bad against an average but gritty Detroit team. The Blackhawks love offense, and only Pittsburgh scored more goals this season.
What made them so impressive this season versus last is that they also learned how to play some great team defense. The emergence of Nick Leddy, Niklas Hjalmarsson and the re-emergence of Duncan Keith and Johnny Oduya has been huge. Brent Seabrook dives in front of any shot he can, and can also chip in with a timely goal here and there. Sorry Detroit.
The Los Angeles Kings seemed to hit a switch after dropping the first two games of their opening series with the St. Louis Blues. Mike Richards and Jeff Carter have led the way on the score sheet for Los Angeles while Jonathan Quick has taken his game to a crazy flexible, yoga instructor level.
Both teams have insane home records, with the Blackhawks posting an equally impressive road record this season. Corey Crawford isn’t on Jonathan Quick’s level, but the defense in front of him might be just a little bit better. Chicago looked stronger in their series with Detroit than Los Angeles did against San Jose when the series came down to elimination games. The Kings are a bigger more physical team than Detroit, but Chicago is much faster.
Chicago got the wake up call they needed and I think they’ll come up big against the defending champs. Los Angeles will be game, and go out fighting, but they’ll still go out. Winning on the road is key this time of year and Los Angeles' 1-5 road record speaks for itself. The bad news for all of us is that we’ll have to hear that God forsaken “Chelsea Dagger” all the way through the final. Blackhawks in seven games.