The Conference Finals!!

The second round of the playoffs has proved to be just as exciting as the first but with some surprising developments! Here a look at each series:

The Chicago Blackhawks have been playing as expected by many. Even though they barely defeated Nashville, the Hawks had their problems and everyone knew it would not be an easy second round. So far, the Vancouver Canucks are doling out the punishment and making the Hawks earn any hope they may have of advancing to the conference finals. Currently the Hawks have lit a fire under their ass and maintain a 2 games to 1 lead on Vancouver, but I see the Canucks making a comeback, and although not the popular vote, I feel the Canucks have it in them to beat the Hawks. Look for Vancouver to advance. ******UPDATE*****Vancouver never did seem to get enough momentum and almost seem to fizzle out at the end, allowing the Hawks to stake their claim of the next round. ********************

The Detroit Red wings are sitting around right now looking at each other making sure the players are who they say they are. Right now, the San Jose Sharks hold a commanding 3 games to 1 lead and all but have the series wrapped up according to the versus commentators. As of this writing, the Sharks will be playing in the conference finals. Well, even though Detroit is down 3 games to 1, they have the ability to make a comeback. Do they stand a chance at winning the series? History will tell you no. Right now the Detroit Red Wings are asking themselves, do we have what it takes to win this thing? Or is this the beginning of the end of the once powerful red machine? As for the Sharks…they are one win away from getting closer to the cup than they’ve ever been. Once cannot help but to think, the only thing worse than choking in the playoffs all those other years, would be to lose a commanding 3 games to 1 lead in a series. ******UPDATE*****San Jose has defeated the Red Wings and advanced to the conference finals for the second time since 2004! Should be interesting to see how they handle the new pressure!

The Penguins seem to have the series under somewhat control, although there still is room for failure if they underestimate the Canadians. The series is currently 3-2 in favor of the Pens, but if Crosby continues his little scoring drought, I think this would be an opportune time for the Habs to step it up and try to tie up the series forcing a game 7! ************UPDATE****The Habs did the impossible and beat the defending champs, and sending Sid the kid home to think about which golf club to use on the next hole. They now will play the winner of Philly vs. Boston.

Finally Boston versus Philly had the potential to be a grueling series, but after a few loses, Philly finds itself fighting to win for another day! Boston better buckle down because Philly is another team that has the potential to make a name for itself and sneak away with the series if Boston continues to slide! *********UPDATE****Philly becomes only the 4th team in sports, I believe, to come back from a 3-0 deficit and defeat Boston giving them the ability to move to the conference finals!!********

So the conference finals are set……Philly versus Montreal…..San Jose versus Chicago……the purest will tell you that Montreal should win and face Chicago……others think the rough and tumble Flyers should face the cup-less Sharks…..one thing’s for sure, the Stanly Cup drought will end for one of these four teams….my prediction? Get your deep dish pizza and red wine ready.

*******UPDATE*******After todays games, the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Sharks at the tank, and Philly dismantles Montreal at Wokovia 6-0! !The first game does not usually dictate the outcome of a series but it sure doesn't hurt to win it.