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| Rookie coach Guy Boucher has led the Tampa Bay Lightning into their first Eastern Conference Finals since they won the Stanley Cup in 2004. |
With the first two rounds in the books, we’re exactly halfway through the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Since the first round was so close, I was expecting an even tighter second round. For half of the series, I was dead wrong. Boston and Tampa Bay both made quick work of their opponents. The Lightning’s victory was a huge shock, but the 1-3-1 neutral zone trap implemented by coach Guy Boucher simply wore down the Capitals forwards. Philadelphia couldn’t decide who they wanted in net as Boston trumped them in four straight. Vancouver survived the Nashville Carrie Underwood’s in six, and San Jose avoided the epic collapse, sneaking by Detroit in seven. My predictions were a respectable 2-2 in round two, so I hope to give better advice this time around.
Eastern Conference Finals
Boston (3) vs Tampa Bay (5)
Season Series: 3-1 Boston
Heading into these playoffs, many predicted the Bruins to be in this spot. Tampa Bay, not so much. This team is led by 38 year old rookie coach Guy Boucher, whose stern approach has resulted in a very disciplined Lightning squad. Tampa Bay’s unsung heroes have been their go-to guys thus far, with unexpected scoring from Sean Bergenheim, Dominic Moore, Steve Downie and Teddy Purcell. Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St.Louis have also had strong post seasons. Dwayne Roloson has been an absolute monster in net, battling through traffic to make some incredible saves. I’m sure most 41 year old men wished they could bend their bodies the way he can. If you looked up the term ‘battle’ in the dictionary, Roloson’s face would show up.
Tampa Bay’s X Factor: Steven Stamkos
The Lightning have made it through two rounds without much production from the 21 year old. Stamkos has only 6 points through 11 games. If Tampa Bay wants to advance to their first Stanley Cup Final since 2004, he must be their best player.
The Bruins are a team with a lot of depth scoring. Brad Marchand, Nathan Horton and David Krecji are all averaging about a point a game. But on the offensive side of things, Patrice Bergeron has led the way with 12 points. Unfortunately for Boston, he suffered a mild concussion and is out for at least game 1. Rookie Tyler Seguin will make his playoff debut, replacing him in the lineup. Tim Thomas has been Boston’s MVP all season and the playoffs have been no different. Thus far, he has sported a 2.03 goals against average and a .937 save percentage during the post season. Zdeno Chara bolsters the Bruins blueline. He seems to have toned down his play since the Max Pacioretty incident, but he still is an incredibly dangerous player on the ice. If the chemistry can improve between Chara and Tomas Kaberle on Boston’s powerplay, they’ll be dangerous.
Boston’s X Factor: Milan Lucic
Lucic has the skill and tenacity to take over a game and a series by himself. He hasn’t needed to do that through two rounds, but against the Lightning, he’ll have to bring his A game if the Bruins want to play for the Stanley Cup.
Final Prediction: Lightning in 7
Western Conference Finals
Vancouver (1) vs San Jose (2)
Season Series: 3-0-1 Canucks
The President Trophy winning Vancouver Canucks didn’t have as hard of a time eliminating the Nashville Predators than they did against the Chicago Blackhawks. However, Ryan Kesler was an integral reason why the Canucks beat Nashville in six games. The Michigan native put his team on his back with 11 points in the second round. He’s the team’s MVP thus far and they’ll need him to continue dominating the action. The Sedin twins combined for only seven points during the second round, but the stat that’s more worrisome is that together they had a -10 rating. Not only do they have return to regular season form in the offensive zone, they must do the same in the defensive zone. Also, the Canucks’ depth scoring has to improve. Players like Mason Raymond, Alex Burrows and Mikael Samuelsson have to step up their game for the Canucks to move on.
Vancouver’s X Factor: Roberto Luongo
The Sharks play a very ‘in your face’ style of hockey, so they’re going to have plenty of chances on Luongo. Vancouver’s only going as far as their netminder takes them. I really believe that he’s going to have to steal at least one game if the Canucks want to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1994.
San Jose is going as far as their powerplay takes them. In each of their victories against Detroit, they scored a goal on the man advantage. Coincidentally, in all of their losses, they failed to score on the powerplay. Guys like Ryane Clowe and Logan Couture will have to continue their strong offensive play. In their game 7 win over the Red Wings, Joe Thornton looked like a man on a mission. The Sharks will need that kind of effort from ‘Jumbo Joe’ if they want to succeed against the Canucks. Antti Niemi overcame his first round struggles by shutting the door in round two. The Vantaa, Finland native had a 2.36 goals against average and a .931 save percentage in the seven game victory over the Red Wings. He still has never lost a playoff series in his career. The Sharks were swept in last year’s Western Conference Finals by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks. They’re definitely looking for a better result this time around.
San Jose’s X Factor: Patrick Marleau
Marleau was basically useless for the first six games and two periods of the Sharks’ series against the Red Wings and that nearly cost them their season. He led the squad with 73 points during the regular season, but has faltered with just six points thus far during in the post season. If San Jose wants to move on to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history, Patrick Marleau will have to improve his play.
Final Prediction: Vancouver in 7
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