Conference Finals Preview

Three of four series went to seven games. One went to overtime
in the seventh creating the ultimate nerve-wrecking experience for all hockey
fans. The Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Buffalo Sabres in the thrilling
sudden-death, but can the Penguins now pick off the defending Stanley Cup
champion New Jersey Devils? The Devils, like the Penguins, came back from a 3-2
deficit in games in the second round. The Toronto Maple Leafs put up a few
goals, took out a key defenseman, but just could not knock off the champs. They
did however set up possibly one of the best new rivalries in the game, with many
people already waiting for next year’s first Devils-Leafs match.

The West was looking for the Cinderella story in the Los
Angeles Kings who almost came back from a 3-1 deficit against the Colorado
Avalanche. The Avs took the seventh game and the series, but not after getting
banged up pretty bad. The St. Louis Blues swept last year’s West Conference
champion Dallas Stars, but have now not played for eight days. Will they be well
rested or rusty?

The prediction update: So far I have one loss in each round.
After 12 series, a 10-2 record is nothing to be ashamed of. But, just like the
teams, it doesn’t matter as much how you do in the early rounds if you cannot
keep up the pace late in the game. Can I keep telling you the winning picks?
Let’s find out:

1. New Jersey Devils 48-19-12-3 111pts vs 6. Pittsburgh Penguins 42-28-9-3 96pts
Season Series: 1-1-1-0 no advantage
10/28	9-0 Devils	2 fights
11/10	4-2 Pens	2 fights
2/10	5-4 Pens in OT	0 fights
2/16	4-4 Tie	0 fights
3/25	4-2 Pens	0 fights

The Route:	New Jersey over Carolina 4-2 New Jersey over Toronto 4-3 Pittsburgh over Washington 4-2 Pittsburgh over Buffalo 4-3
Notes:	The Penguins have turned their play to defense. That might have worked against a team like the Buffalo Sabres, but the Penguins will have to up their play in both ends to take on the Devils. Granted, the all-around play is similar between New Jersey and Buffalo, but the depth and skill level in Jersey is just greater. The Devils surpass the Pens in every single aspect except for two things: Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr. These two must take complete control of at least two games for Pittsburgh to come out victorious.
Key Stat:	Record when tied after 2nd period – New Jersey: 9-5-7 Pittsburgh: 12-2-5. The Devils better take the early lead if they want to succeed against the Pens.
Fight Fans:	New Jersey: 52 fights (9). Pittsburgh: 67 fights (2). Scott Stevens made a statement how there is no way this series will be as physical as the Devils series against Toronto. I think another Stevens, Kevin, might go around getting under the Devils’ skin letting Scott know how foolish that statement might be. In fact with Kasper running around as well, this series should be very entertaining. Lemieux wants to win bad, if he gets frustrated expect him to start pushing some Devils around (seriously). "Real" fights? Doubtful, but if one is going to happen, my money would be it’ll happen in the East.
Prediction:	Jersey in 6. If I am right, the Pens will play their last game at home and Mario and Jagr will have a nice standing-O in what might be their last game as teammates.

1. Colorado Avalanche 52-16-10-4 118pts vs 4. St. Louis Blues 43-22-12-5 103pts
Season Series: 2-0-1-1 Avs advantage
11/9	3-3 Tie	2 fights
2/10	4-3 Blues in OT	0 fights
3/8	5-2 Avs	1 fight
3/22	3-1 Avs	0 fights

The Route:	Colorado over Vancouver 4-0 Colorado over Los Angeles 4-3 St. Louis over San Jose 4-2 St. Louis over Dallas 4-0
Notes:	Peter Forsberg is out. Peter Forsberg is out. Should I say it again? This seems to be the story overshadowing what could be a great series. It is an important factor in the series. It is being mentioned every five seconds by the media. It will be a good excuse if the Blues win. The Blues will probably be a little sluggish at first since they have had so much time off. The Avs will still be on a high from winning the last game against the Kings a couple of days ago. The main game plan of the Blues will obviously be to: hit, hit, hit. Can the Avs survive?
Key Stat:	The two goaltenders are putting up playoff numbers that are almost identical. Patrick Roy has little to prove, will this be Roman Turek’s chance to prove he belongs with the elite?
Fight Fans:	Colorado: 45 fights (14t). St. Louis: 58 fights (6). The Avs are banged up. The Blues are without Tyson Nash, but will still play with a nasty edge. Hits, scrums, etc. will happen frequently. Chances are minimal of anyone dropping their gloves. Both teams will be looking to take very few penalties against such a talented opponent.
Prediction:	St. Louis in 6. The Avs will may even win the first two games, but the last round and some major and minor injuries will quickly take their toll. The Blues should make their first Cup appearance since 1970 when Scotty Bowman was behind the bench.