The playoffs are quite unpredictable, and I learned that the hard way from round two as I went 0/4 on series predictions. However, I think more people are surprised by the 4 teams still remaining, especially the West matchup of Phoenix/LA. The winner of each of these series will move on to the Stanley Cup Finals, and with that being said here are my predictions:
Eastern Conference Finals:
1. New York vs. 6. New Jersey - While the Rangers are coming off a 2nd straight game 7 victory, they will have their hands full with a rested New Jersey Devil team. This is a rematch of the '94 Eastern Conference Finals, and we all know how that ended (take it away Mark Messier - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy2JAOVJyRY). However, things are much different this time around as both teams are riding different paths to the 3rd round. The Rangers beat the #8 Sens and #7 Caps in 7 games each, and have been led by the stellar play of Henrik Lundqvist and Brad Richards. While the Rangers have been pushed to the brink in both rounds, they used their #1 seed advantage to get game 7 at home, and it has paid off well for them. The Devils have taken a different path, as the #6 seed they beat the #3 Panthers in 7 and easily dismantled the seemingly dominant #5 Philadelphia Flyers in 5 games. The Devils looked extremely impressive last round, led by the ageless Martin Brodeur and Ilya Kovalchuk upfront. This is going to be a great series, division rivals who dislike each other.
Players to Watch: NYR - Henrik Lundqvist, Brad Richards, Michael Del Zotto, Brandon Prust, Marian Gaborik. NJD - Martin Brodeur, Ilya Kovalchuk, Zach Parise, Travis Zajac, David Clarkson
Prediction - While the Rangers have won 2 straight game 7s, I believe the Devils come in as the rested team and finally knock off the #1 seed.
(DEVILS in 7)
Western Conference Finals:
3. Phoenix vs. 8. Los Angeles - Both of these teams have taken similar paths to the Western Conference Finals, as the play of Jon Quick and Mike Smith has been stellar so far. This is a very unexpected series to begin with, as not many people had either of these teams going past the first round, let alone the second. The Los Angeles Kings have been the most impressive in the playoffs thus far, easily knocking out the #1 seed Canucks in 5 and then sweeping the #2 seed Blues in 4. There are many reasons that this team is succeeding at the right time, and Jon Quick is the #1 reason. Besides him, they are lead upfront by the play of their top 2 lines: Kopitar-Williams-Brown and Richards-Penner-Carter as well by the steady play of Drew Doughty and Willie Mitchell on d. The Coyotes come into this matchup in similar style, as they knocked the #6 Hawks out in 6 and then the #4 Predators in 5. Like the Kings, the Coyotes are lead by goaltender Mike Smith as he has been exceptional so far. Beside that, the Coyotes are a well-balanced team that isn't lead by 1 superstar but rather a team of players who are certainly clicking right now. Shane Doan and Ray Whitney lead upfront, and on defence the tandem of Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Keith Yandle are having a breakout playoffs. This series is surely going to be very close, as both teams don't score that often but rely heavily on team-defence and protecting their goalie
Players to Watch: PHX - Mike Smith, Shane Doan, Ray Whitney, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Radim Vrbata. LAK - Jon Quick, Dustin Brown, Mike Richards, Drew Doughty, Anze Kopitar
Prediction - This series could go either way, but the Kings are too strong right now and will march on to the Stanley Cup
(KINGS in 6)
This leaves my prediction as the #6 Devils vs. the #8 Kings in the Stanley Cup Final
-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News (PLAYOFF EDITION)
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