Final Four

The NHL is down to it's final four as the Conference Finals begin in Boston tonight.

In the East, I picked the Bruins at the beginning of the playoffs and I still like them today. The Bruins have a team that is built for the playoffs with a 4 line team that can crash and bang, a deep blue line and one of the best goalies in the game in Tim Thomas. I think the Bruins cleared a major mental hurdle when they beat the Philadelphia Flyers.

Everything is working for the Tampa Bay Lightning this post season. Their top end skill players like they were in 2004 (Martin St. Louis and Vinny Lecavalier) Steven Stamkos is looking like the Hart Candidate that he was early in the season, and Dwayne Roloson is looking it's 2006 all over again. Sean Bergenheim, Steve Downie and Dominic Moore is forming the classic third line that every Stanley Cup team needs.

I think the Krejci, Lucic and Horton line will be the difference in this series and will lead the Bruins to the finals.

Bruins in 6.


The Western Conference will feature two teams that have faced plenty of adversity this post season between the San Jose Sharks and the Vancouver Canucks.

The Canucks have been able to make it past the first 2 rounds without much production from the Sedins. Ryan Kesler took control of the Nashville series, but the back end of the Canucks have been the reason they've made it through 2 rounds. The blue line of the Canucks made Roberto Luongo's life much easier in the series with the Preds. The defence is going have to come huge against the Sharks.

The Sharks overcame a big mental hurdle with the Game 7 win over the Wings, and Patrick Marleau stepped up finally in a big game. The Sharks may have the most firepower with any team left in the playoffs. I think they easily have the best group of top 6 forwards. Anti Niemi has proven last year wasn't a fluke as he made it deep into the playoffs for the second straight round.

I think if this series is full of 2-1 games, the Canucks will take it with their superior blueline, but if this series is full of goals then I like the Sharks. Something tells me this series will feature more offence.

My pick Sharks in 6.

Bruins vs Sharks in the finals? I would watch it, mind you I would watch a Tampa Bay vs Vancouver final as well.