Western Conference Finals

Vancouver Canucks vs San Jose Sharks

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The Vancouver Canucks are trying to prove that they are more then just pretenders while the San Jose Sharks are making their second straight appearance in the conference finals. The Canucks took care of the Nashville Predators, who made their first trip to the conference semi-finals in their team's history. Nashville was no easy out as the goalies for both teams were outstanding. Vancouver had a slip up in round one but looked much more determined against the Predators. Ryan Kesler came alive and really jump started the team when they needed it the most while the Sedin Twins are looking like playoff novices. The Sedins tore up the regular season once again but since the playoffs have begun they have been M.I.A. That will need to change or yet another President's Trophy winning team will see their season end early. Vancouver was the pick of many during the regular season to make it to the finals and now only one team stands in their way.

The San Jose Sharks needed to eliminate the Detroit Redwings for the second straight season to move on to the conference finals and they proved that was no easy task. The Sharks looked to finish off the Redwings quickly after taking a 3-0 lead in the series but the Wings pushed them to the brink in game 7. San Jose has basically the same team as they did last season but with one key difference, Antti Niemi. Niemi was a key component to the Blackhawks sweeping the Sharks in the conference finals last year and ultimately beating the Flyers for the Stanley Cup. Thanks to an arbitrator in the off season the Hawks were forced to part ways with the cup winning goalie who then signed in San Jose. The Sharks will defintely look to make this trip to the conference finals a better one that last year. The emergence of Logan Coture has been key for the Sharks on their journey as the rookie has been outstanding. Coture did play in the playoffs last season but with an entire season under his belt is making impressive strides to help his team advance. The Sharks will need all of their big guns if they want to beat Vancouver and eventually win it all and that means players like Dany Heatley and Patrick Marleau will need to step up.

X Factor

Roberto Luongo needs to prove that he is more than just regular season goalie with a big performance in the conference finals as he is in unfamiliar territory. If he doesn't they still have Corey Schneider to back him up but the conference finals are a difficult place to just jump in and play well for a young goalie. 

Vancouver is the favorite in this series but in the NHL playoffs that means very little while at times the Sharks looked mighty impressive against the Redwings. They also looked like they didn't belong in the playoffs at times which is why the series went 7. The Sharks have to realize where they are and can not take their foot off the pedal.

Sharks in 7

Eastern Conference Finals

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Boston Bruins

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This can be considered by many to be a surprise east finals match up but given their performances last round it will be hard to not give them credit after both finished in sweeps. The Tampa Bay Lightning took down a Capitals team that had looked different from years past and appeared to be its most ready to make a long run. Dwayne Roloson continued his dominance of Washington this season after shutting them out twice during the regular season. The big names have been accounted for so far in the playoffs with Martin St. Louis and Vinny Lecavalier playing the veteran roles this time as they try and win Lord Stanley's Cup. Tampa Bay lost Simon Gagne in game 1 last series to a concussion but he has been skating with the team again and is expected to start the next series. Gagne was hit by Washington defenseman Scott Hannan and had his head bounce off the ice. Gagne will be a nice addition if he is able to continue where he left off. A surprise player always usually makes a name for themselves in the post season and this year it is Sean Bergenheim. Bergenheim has scored a number of big goals for the Lightning thus far and leads the team with 7. He will look to continue that positive play against the Bruins. There are a few players on this Tampa Bay team that have won it all before and will use that experience to catch an edge up on Boston.

The Boston Bruins couldn't have been happier with the way their series finished against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Bruins defeated one of the league's deepest teams in 4 games and rally took advantage of by far the worst playoff goal tending in NHL history.  The Bruins are a team that uses spaced out scoring, solid defense and outstanding goal tending to win and it is proving to be quite effective. David Krejci had an excellent series against the Flyers and really showed up for the first time this post season along with Milan Lucic. The play of Thomas is always important and he is back to his Vezina winning ways. Thomas is once again in the running for the Vezina after being replaced by Tukka Rask last season. The Bruins will be without Patrice Bergeron and that will hurt because he is the team's highest point producer through the first two rounds. Bergeron took a hit from Flyers forward Claude Giroux and is out with a concussion. If he is unable to return it could be a tough going for Boston. Zdeno Chara will also have to do his best at containing the likes of Martin St. Louis and company if the Bruins wish to advance

X Factor

The Bruins did well against Brian Boucher and Sergei Bobrovsky but they know run into 41-year old Dwayne Roloson. Roloson was a late addition for the Lightning in net and is proving to be the most importance piece in the puzzle. in 2006 Roloson was traded to the Edmonton Oilers and helped take the 8 seed to the Stanley Cup Finals where they lost to Carolina in 7 games. Roloson was hurt in game 1 however and did not return. He will look to get another crack at the cup in this series against Boston.

The Boston Bruins will be hurting with out Patrice Bergeron and if they had him maybe it will be enough. The rest of the Bruins are still confident in their abilities however, especially new comer Nathan Horton who is in the post season for the first time ever and making it count. The Lightning are flying high after beating the Penguins and Capitals and are proving to be difficult to deal with. Look for the Lighting to get the best of this one in an incredible goal tending battle. 

Lightning in 7