I know I'm not much of a hockey fan, and this is gonna sound odd, but as much as I hate the Bruins (They interfere with the Red Sox being on Local TV) I think they have a realistic shot at the title this year. They look strong, and I doubt they will lose 4 straight to the Flyers.

Other than that, I think the Sharks are looking pretty decent. I don't know much about the players on that team, since I don't follow hockey awfully close, but I saw the OT goal of Devin Setoguchi (spelling?), which I saw as slightly interesting to me (again, not a huge hockey fan).

I feel like jumping in and just making a few predictions, although none will be too bold as I'm jumping in late this round.

Canucks over Predators in 7. I only say this because I think that the Predators will surprise people if they let their guard down. The Canucks should still win this series, but it will be closer every game on.

Sharks over Red Wings in 5. I think the Red Wings will bolt out next game and not go quietly, but I also think the Sharks are going to finish this series off. It's not everyday (obviously) that teams come back from 3 down.

Lightning already won. Moving on.

Bruins will finish the Flyers in 4. Boston looks strong right now, The goalie (Tim Howard if I remember correctly?) has been dominant, and is blocking more shots than I think should be possible. Although last year... the nightmare happened, I think they are over that and will finish the decisively in the next game.

I'm not a huge hockey fan, so hopefully I didn't make a total idiot of myself.

Yeah.... I don't see Philly coming back. Last year they had Simon Gange return in game 4 which sparked the come back. They don't have anything like that this year.

And with 2 series at 3-0 I don't see either team losing those.

As for Vancouver and Nashville.... I see it going 5 or 6. If the Canucks win tonight then it's done in 5 but if they lose it'll go 6 or possibly 7. I don't see them losing though. They are the better team. They just lack a little "Hart" from the 2 guys that lead the team.

P.S. SO Happy that Washington is out. I'm not a Tampa fan but I'm glad they destroyed the Capitals. Yet another year that Ovechkin doesn't win anything.

I may not know much about hockey, but I do NOT like Ovechkin. There are few names I recognize and he is one of them. He's too... over the top. Doesn't he have a little bit of an overreaction when he scores a goal? I mean I like to celebrate goals in sports like Soccer, but at that level?

yeah.... he does. But he is a fantastic player. One of the top guys in the league right now. Can't argue with that at all.

Doesn't mean I like him though.

I am a fan of the Red Wings, was a resident of Detriot and that will always be my favorite Team, They're facing a tough game 7 tonight, Good luck Wings! and good luck to everyone else as well.

I'm looking to the game tonight too. I don't really care which team wins tonight. I have no vested interest as a fan of either team other than I'm looking forward to a really good game. I guess the only thing I'm thinking is I would like to see San Jose have another shot at the cup. Detroit has won enough.

hrm.... seems that the conference finals are set! I'm looking forward to these series. I think they'll both be quite good. I have my predictions:

West: Vancouver vs. San Jose.

This is going to be a tough series in my opinion. Both teams seem to have had a similar first 2 series. 1 series which was generally in their favor the entire time and one which could have ended in disaster. Both teams overcame their opponents in the end and moved on to the conference finals. In the end I think Vancouver is going to win. San Jose doesn't have the shut down defencemen that Chicago and Nashville had which means that the Sedins are going to have a lot more freedom to operate. I see Vancouver in 7.

East: Boston vs. Tampa Bay

I think Tampa Bay has had it too easy so far in the playoffs. They haven't played a big, physical team like Boston yet. I think if Boston gets physical early in the series they can wear down Tampa Bay and win the series.

Boston in 6

Well I guess I should hazard my own guess.

Contrary to what I hear about hockey from other fans, I think that the San Jose series against Vancouver could be a blowout. San Jose had a rough series just now, so I think that kind of hurts them going forward. I see Vancouver in 5.

As for Boston v Tampa Bay. This series looks like it will be tooth and nail. On the one hand, Boston looks tougher, and are a favorite I think in this matchup, however, Tampa Bay hasn't used a lot of energy, some nights they look too well rested to write them off. I see a tough series ahead. Boston in 6.

yay, someone to respond to

legacyme3 : yeah, but it's not like Vancouver has had it much easier than San Jose. They've both played 13 games so far and have both had the 3-0 lead lost to force a game 7 situation. I think both teams are in the same boat.

and Boston had a pretty easy second round. 4-0 against Philly. That in and of itself has got to have them pumped up for the next round. I think both teams are going to be pretty equally rested up considering they've had about 10 days off each. I doubt the rest of one team over the other is going to be a huge factor.

geeogree :

The reason I think that it's going to be less effective against Vancouver is because I saw Detroit being a little more crushing. They were up 3-0 correct? The fact they let it go to 7 games should demoralize them a little bit, and that will likely be a factor if they end up losing this quickly.

While rest may not be a huge difference, I feel like Boston has played rougher like you said, and that should mean they feel a little more beat up from the games even though they cruised past Philly. You wouldn't know it from the 4-0 sweep, but that series looked like it could have gone 7.

I think in the end you will see Vancouver-Boston in the finals, something I'd actually want to see. I could care less about San Jose-Boston, or Vancouver-Tampa Bay. I just think that Boston and Vancouver are the two best teams left, and they will make for an exciting series.

No matter the outcome though, I'll be pretty pleased once Boston either wins the whole thing or loses out. It's interrupted enough baseball that I've decided to just cheer for them, the Red Sox are struggling, so it's not like I'm missing much anyway. =P

Whoo hoo, go Sharks!

My hopes are that the fact that San Jose pulled off that win means that they staved off the choke and will pull through in the next round. Not gonna be easy though, so I am saying Sharks in 7. I want them to finally win a cup!

As for Tampa vs Boston. I dislike both teams, but I recognize that they are both good. Given their play style though, I am saying Lighting in 6... damn the 1-3-1. Also, the Pens didn't give them the easy series that the Caps did, even if we did choke. Boston did have two much harder series, so that might take some bite out of them even if they did hand Philly their behind on a silver platter.

well, look at that. Vancouver is in the finals! And on one of the worst series winning goals I've ever seen. It was a good series but it might have gone longer if more of San Jose's players had shown up. The sedins sure showed up this series. 12 points in 5 games for Henrik Sedin.

Looking forward to a Vancouver/Boston Final

Not a bad series at all.

Good job to the Bruins, they earned it. Good try by the Canucks, although they fell short.

Now that hockey season is over, I can go back into my element. I've missed you baseball.

legacyme3 : yeah, and now they are burning cars and rioting in Vancouver. Awesome!

Honestly I am glad that Boston won just because of the stupid crap that Canucks fans have been doing. Renaming anything with Boston in the name to Vancouver? The Boston Pizza thing was cute and supportive... but Vancouver Creme donuts? That is so childish! And rioting when your team loses... really? Really?!

Elara : yeah, they rioted in 94 when they lost to the Rangers. That's the way it goes. I was cheering for the team not the fans.... the fans actions were shameful... well, some of them were.