The chase for the Stanley Cup is in full swing as the conference finals got underway this past Sunday. While in the Western Conference things have followed suit with the top two seeds squaring off against one another, in the Eastern Conference it is a couple of upstarts that barely even qualified for the postseason that are doing battle for the right to play in the Cup finals. Here is a brief look at both series along with the current odds for each team to win it all. Click Here for Expert NHL Hockey Picks.
Eastern Conference
#8 Montreal Canadians (6-1) vs. #7 Philadelphia Flyers (7-2)
Montreal came into these playoffs as a prohibitive underdog to even win a game or two. Instead they have taken out #1 seed Washington in seven games after trailing three games to one. They then proceeded to eliminate the #2 seed and former Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins in seven games after trailing three games to two. Their never say die attitude along with some incredible goaltending by Jaroslav Halak has led them to the conference finals for the first time since 1993.
Philadelphia needed an overtime win against the New York Rangers in the final regular season game just to earn a spot in these playoffs. In the first round they faced the #2 seed New Jersey Devils, a team they had beaten five times in the six games they played in the regular season. They continued their dominance by eliminating the Devils in five games. In the semifinals against Boston they pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the sport. Trailing three games to none, they found a way to beat the Bruins three straight times to force a game seven. In that game, trailing 3-0 they battled back to win 4-3 to advance to the conference finals for the third time in the last seven years.
In game one on Sunday night it was all Philadelphia as they jumped on the Canadians early and often in a 6-0 romp. Halak had no answer for the Flyers persistent attack and was pulled in the second period after giving up four goals on just 14 shots. Game two in Philadelphia is scheduled for 7:00 P.M. tonight.
Western Conference
#2 Chicago Blackhawks (1-1) vs. #1 San Jose Sharks (3-1)
Chicago came into these playoffs as many people’s odds-on-favorite to win it all and so far they are right on track to do just that. In the first round they spotted the #7 seed Nashville Predators a 2-1 series lead before winning three straight to win the series in six. In the semifinals, after losing game one again, they beat the #3 seed Vancouver Canucks in four out of the next five games to win this series in six games as well. Jonathan Toews (6 goals and 15 assists) and Patrick Kane (7 goals and 9 assists) have led the way for the Blackhawks on offense and goalie Antti Niemi (2.44 GAA and .918 SV %) has gotten it done in the net.
After four straight early exits from the postseason, San Jose had to be a bit nervous when they fell behind 2-1 to #8 seed Colorado in the first round. Instead, they elevated their game to win the next three to eliminate the Avalanche in six. Against #5 seed Detroit in the semifinals, their confidence level was sky high as they took out the Red Wings in five games to advance to their first conference finals since 2004. In these playoffs, San Jose has been especially potent on offence as five players already have double figure points led by Joe Pavelski’s nine goals and six assists.
In game one, Niemi came up big for Chicago by stopping a playoff record 44 shots to preserve a 2-1 win. Dustin Byfuglien scored the game winner for the Blackhawks with less than seven minutes left in the third period. Game two in San Jose is scheduled for 10:00 P.M. (ET) tonight.
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