2011 Stanley Cup Conference Semifinals Preview

Apr 28, 2011
Tom Mitsos

Stanley Cup - Jen Robinson

Round 2 should provide just as much action as the quarter-finals. Here's a look at the matchups for the conference semifinals.

Eastern Conference

#1 Washington Capitals vs. #5 Tampa Bay Lightning

The Capitals cruised by the New York Rangers with ease and had some time off between rounds. The Lightning, on the other hand, went seven games with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and gets just one day off before playing its first semifinal game.

Michal Neuvirth has been outstanding for the Capitals posting a 1.38 GAA and a .946 save percentage. Expect him to continue that stellar play. Steven Stamkos has just four points in seven games for the Lightning. He needs to be a bigger part of the offense if the Lightning wants to make it to the Eastern Conference final.

This will be a fun series to watch with plenty of stars on both sides, but Tampa Bay will be too drained from their series with the Penguins. Capitals make it to the Eastern Conference final.

Prediction: Washington wins series 4-1

#2 Philadelphia Flyers vs. #3 Boston Bruins

The Bruins battled back from a 2-0 deficit in the series to beat the Montreal Canadiens in seven games. The Flyers also prevailed in a grueling seven-game series with the Buffalo Sabres.

Tim Thomas wasn’t as spectacular as he was in the regular season for the Bruins, but he still posted respectable numbers with a 2.25 GAA and a .926 save percentage.

The Flyers have some goalie drama early in the playoffs. Three goalies have suited up, but Brian Boucher was the only goalie that picked up the wins. Philadelphia’s Claude Giroux is second in the league with nine points.

Philadelphia’s goalie drama will doom them. They managed to escape the Sabres, but they will not be able to get past the Bruins. In last year’s playoffs, Boston was up 3-0 in its series with Philadelphia before the Flyers stormed back and won the next four games. The Bruins even had a 3-0 lead in Game 7 and blew that lead as well. The Bruins will remember this and will not let it happen again. Boston moves on.

Prediction: Boston wins series 4-2

Western Conference

#1 Vancouver Canucks vs. #5 Nashville Predators

Vancouver nearly blew a 3-0 series lead to the Chicago Blackhawks in the quarterfinals. The Nashville Predators disposed of the Anaheim Ducks in six games.

The Canucks finally overcame their demons and finished a hard-fought series, but Roberto Luongo has not been stellar thus far in the playoffs. He has a 2.97 GAA, a .903 save percentage, was yanked in Game 5 and sat on the bench for Game 6 in favor of Cory Schneider.

Alain Vigneault, coach of the Canucks, sent a message to Luongo that he is not afraid to start Schneider if he is playing poorly. Luongo got the message in time for Game 7, but don’t be surprised if he needs a reminder during this series as well.

Rather than having one or two players do the majority of the scoring, the Predators spread the wealth. Everybody that has played in these playoffs, except Shane O’Brien, has registered at least one point.

This will be hard series for the Canucks as they haven’t had much time to rest after their series with Chicago. They win, but it won’t be easy.

Prediction: Vancouver wins series 4-3

#2 San Jose Sharks vs. #3 Detroit Red Wings

The Sharks took care of the Los Angeles Kings in six games, while the Red Wings swept the Phoenix Coyotes.

Antti Niemi hasn’t been stellar for the Sharks. He is struggling with a 3.99 GAA and a .863 save percentage. The offense has stepped up when the goalie has faltered. Ryan Clowe leads the team with seven points in six games. Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton have five points apiece.

Pavel Datsyuk has been amazing for the Red Wings. He has six points in four games while Henrik Zetterberg has been out with a knee injury. According to the Detroit Free Press, Zetterberg is prepared to return for second-round action (St. James, "Sharks must brace for return of Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg").

The Sharks beat the Red Wings in five games in last year’s playoffs. However, the Red Wings had just come off a seven-game series with the Coyotes. The Red Wings haven’t played hockey since April 20 this year. They will be well rested, and that will be the difference in this series. Red Wings make it to the Western Conference final.

Prediction: Detroit wins series 4-2