Well I followed up a 7-1 first round with a 2-2 second round.
Western Conference Finals
I like the Stars in a mild upset. They are playing great and getting the play in net they need from Turco. I think the Wings have cruised a bit too easily so far and the intensity of the Stars will allow them to jump out early in the series. It will be interesting to see what the Wings do if they lose a game or two in net. Does Hasek come back in?
Eastern Conference Finals
I have been watching the Eastern Conference closely and I think this will be the best series of all played in both conferences all year. These two teams don't like each other, but do respect the talent on the other team. The games will be physical, there will be fights, and there will be great talent on display. I am a Flyers fan and make no attempt to hide that. I am going with the Flyers in a really tight series here. I see no reason why they cannot upset the Pens. They won the season series and the players on Philly know Crosby and Malkin well from junior days. The Pens are the closest team in the East with forwards talent that matches the depth of Philly. However, the Pens are more top-heavy than Philly. The defenses are a toss-up and I give the edge to Biron in goal. He has been to the Conference Finals with Buffalo and understands the pressure. Also, I think the Flyers players like playing for Stevens and the Pens don't like playing for Therien.
So that means the Stars vs Flyers for the Cup.
Wow, you really know your hockey....not.
i'd really like a flyers vs stars final... im not so sure about ur last point tho.. im pretty sure there are players that like both stevens/theriens and others that dislike both of them... but it'll be a really tough series.. if it's a short one i think pens will be the winning team, if it goes the distance i give flyers the edge... oh boy here we go, more heart attacks and frantic nights infront of the tv lol
Biron has never played in the ECF w/ Buffalo though...I give him much respect for what he's doing now, but this will be a brand new experience for him, and we'll see how he handles it. If the first two rounds are any indication he'll be just fine. Just throwing this out there: who on the Flyers played juniors in Russia with Malkin???
i think it's going to be fantastic. The Pens have coasted through the playoffs. No way were the rangers on their game, in fact, I'd say that they played more poorly in that series then i saw them play all season. The Flyers have had to actually earn their spot and they knocked off the top seed in 5 games. They have a more balanced attack and at this point, a better idea of what it feels like to play a REAL playoff series...no offense to the rangers but they just were not playing the way they're capable of. No doubt it will be a rough series but I think the Flyers have the edge. Flyers in 6.
lalalalafontaine , I don't think he meant played in juniors with MNalkin, but know him well from during their time in juniors while playing at the WC's and such.
ob1: ah, thank you...it's all making much more sense now.
I believe flyer fans might be under estimating the toughness of this penguins team. The pen's have a real good mix of toughness and skill as well as veterns and young guns
i think habs12 just described the flyers instead of the pens
habs12, I think you're right about a lot of Flyer fans underestimating the Pens toughness. They definitely have it, and that's what has made the Flyers/Pens rivalry so enjoyable!Having said that, I also think there's a LOT of underestimating the Flyers skill, and ability to match up with the Pens.This series can go either way, IMHO ... and I see it going at least 6 games.
pens win if series ends in game 4 or game 5flyers win if series ends in game 6 or game 7