NHL Conference Finals Preview!!
Written by: Bethany
Unless you have been living under a rock, or are not a hockey fan, you know that the NHL Conference Finals started last night. In the Western Conference Finals the Detroit Red Wings are facing the Dallas Stars, and in the Eastern Conference, you have a battle of Pennsylvania, with the Philadelphia Flyers facing off against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Let's take a look at the matchups beginning in the West. Detroit and Dallas, this should be a great series. Detroit has plowed through the playoffs, since benching the ancient goaltender Dominic Hasek and bringing in Chris Osgood. The Red Wings were the NHL best this season. They defeated the Nashville Predators and swept the Colorado Avalanche. They have strength in every position. Goaltending, they have a one-two punch, with Hasek and Osgood. Osgood has been nothing short of outstanding the entire season, he will continue to be outstanding through this round. On the blue line you have Norris Trophy winners, Nicklas Lidstrom and Chris Chelios. Then with the forwards they have Johan Franzen, Pavel Datsyuk, and Henrik Zetterberg. So who needs to step up for the Wings? Really...everyone just needs to keep doing what they're doing.
The Dallas Stars had a tough last round facing the San Jose Sharks. The deciding game of the series went into FOUR overtimes. Yes, you read that correctly, FOUR overtimes.
The Dallas Stars have been getting great goaltending from Marty Turco this post season, and their forwards are really showing up. Here is where it gets fun, the Dallas Stars are a very defensively minded team, their team also has a very young defense. That young defense was able to shut down in the first round Teemu Selanne, Ryan Getzlaf, and all of the other members of the Anaheim Ducks. The second round, they shutdown Big Joe Thornton, Jonathan Cheechoo, and the San Jose Sharks. Who needs to step it up in order for the Stars to beat the Red Wings? Mike Modano. He's one of the greatest American born hockey players in the history of the NHL, he has to be great against the Red Wings. Marty Turco, he has proven himself in the first two rounds, now he just needs to continue playing his game.
What does this series come down to? Goaltending. Chris Osgood has the best goals against average (GAA) in the NHL, Marty Turco has the second. You want a prediction? Red Wings in 6, I just don't think the Stars have the ability to take down the Wings.
Onto the East. The Battle of Pennsylvania!! Philadelphia Flyers vs the Pittsburgh Penguins. This series is the total opposite of the Wings/Stars series. Both of these teams rely heavily on their offense, which who can blame them? The Penguins are fronted by Sidney Crosby, Jordan Staal, and Evgeni Malkin. The Flyers? RJ Umberger has been an absolute horse so far, Daniel Briere, and Scott Hartnell.
The Philadelphia Flyers have made it through a game seven against the Washington Capitals and then were up against the Eastern Conference best, Montreal Canadiens. The Flyers have made a huge turn around; last season they were the NHL worst, but making a few trades and getting some key free agents has turned this team around. Marty Biron has been outstanding in his first ever post-season. R.J. Umberger has come seemingly out of nowhere and has almost carried the Flyers offense. The defense of the Flyers took a hit yesterday however, it was discovered that Kimmo Timonen would be unavailable for the remainder of the playoffs due to a blood clot. So, who needs step up for the Flyers? Daniel Briere. He can't let R.J. Umberger handle all the offense. Marty Biron has to be superb in order for the Flyers to beat the Pens.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have surpassed my expectations. I never seem to give them enough credit. The Penguins flew by the Senators and then beat up on the New York Rangers, apparently they learned something in those five games last playoffs. Marc Andre Fleury has been great for them as well. So who needs to step it up for the Pens? Gary Roberts, I think his veteran leadership is extremely important to this team. Sidney Crosby, oh who am I kidding? He has been outstanding. Marc Andre Fleury needs to continue to make those key saves.
What does this series come down to? I'm going to say defense. Whichever team is able to shutdown the other teams offense, will win. But, this series is going to be a great series for fans of the new NHL. There will be a lot of goals, and a lot of up and down action.
My prediction? Penguins in seven.
