Well after a wild and crazy first 2 rounds, especially in the NHL, both the NBA and NHL are down to the final four teams. In the NBA we have 4 teams, none of which are truly suprising (orlando, LAL, Suns, and celtics) but in the NHL we have 2 teams you expect to be there (Sharks and Blackhaws) and 2 that nobody expected to be there (Flyers and Habs). So I am going to break down each conference final in both sports and give my prediction for the champion in both sports.
NHL: Western Conference Finals- #2 blackhawks @ #1 Sharks.
This series is going to be a classic between the two best teams in the West all year. The Sharks, led by their big 4 (thorton, Heatly, Marleau, and Pavelski) have shaken off past playoff let downs to make it here by beating the team of the 2000's in the Red Wings last round. While the Blackhawks led by their 2 young guns (Jonathan Toewes and Patrick Kane) are in their second conference finals in a row seeking to end a 40+ year cup drought for the franchise. I see this series going 7 with Chicago continuing the trend by winning a game 7 on the road (5th time this playoffs) thanks to their defensemen like Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith containing the big 4.
Eastern Conference Finals- #8 Montreal @ #7 Flyers
This series involves two teams who had to struggle to get in the playoffs, the Flyers needed a shootout on the last day to get here. Then both teams defied the odds once they made the postseason, Montreal eliminating the two biggest stars in the NHL (Ovechkin and Crosby), the Presidents Cup winners (Capitals) and defending Cup champs (penguins) by overcoming 3-1 and 3-2 leads to win game 7s on the road. While the Flyers became only the 4th team in major north american pro sports to win a series after being down 3-0 beating the Bruins in game 7 in Boston. This series will come down to goaltending where Jaroslav Halak gives the Habs the edge and the series, Habs in 6.
Stanley Cup Finals- Habs at Blackhawks A matchup of 2 original 6 teams both trying to end cup droughts, in a david vs. goliath matchup. I see the Blackhawks fire power and defense being too much for the Habs and ending their cinderella run by winning in 6. Conn Smythe: Kane
NBA Conference Finals broken down position by position
Western Conference Finals #3 Suns at #1 Lakers (both teams coming off sweeps)
PG: Steve Nash vs. Derek Fisher- Edge: suns
SG: Jason Richardson vs. Kobe-Edge: Lakers
SF: Grant Hill vs. Ron Artest- Edge: Lakers
PF: Amare vs. Pau Gasol- Edge: Suns
C: Jarron collins vs. Andrew bynum- Edge: LA
Bench: Dragic, Dudley, Frye, Barbosa vs. Farmar, Odom, Walton, Brown- Edge: Suns
Coaching: Alvin Gentry vs. Phil Jackson- Edge: Lakers
Intangibles: Homecourt and experience give Lakers the Edge
Prediction: Kobe and company too much for Suns (lakers in 6)
Eastern Conference Finals: #4 Celtics at #2 Magic (rematch of 7 game thriller a year ago)
PG: Rajon Rondo vs. Jameer Nelson- Edge- push
SG: Ray Allen vs. Vince Carter- Edge: Magic
SF: Paul Pierce vs. Matt Barnes- Edge: Celtics
PF: Kevin Garnett vs. Rashard Lewis- Edge: push
C: Kendrick Perkins vs. Dwight Howard- Edge: Magic
Bench: Wallace, Robinson, T. Allen, Davis vs. Pietrus, Williams, Gortat, Anderson- Edge: Magic
Coach: Doc Rivers vs. Stan Van Gundy- Edge- Celtics
Intangibles: home court and momentum vs. experience- Edge- Magic
Prediction: homecourt, rest, momentum, depth carry the Magic (magic in 7)
NBA Finals: Lakers at Magic (magic have homecourt 2-3-2 format, rematch of last year)
PG: Edge- Magic, SG: Edge- Lakers, SF- Edge- Lakers, PF- Edge: Push, C- Edge- Magic, Bench- Edge: Magic, Coach- Edge: Lakers, Intangibles: Edge- magic (hunger, homecourt, depth) Prediction: Magic use homecourt, depth, new additions (vc), health of Nelson, to get revenge for last year Magic in 6 MVP Dwight Howard.
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