Conference Semifinal Predictions

Eastern Conference

(6) Carolina vs (1) Boston

Losing Game 2 at home in a shutout shifts some momentum away from the Bruins. I think that overall, Cam Ward has outperformed Tim Thomas in the first two games because he's had more work. From the start, I never underestimated the Canes, who have a little more than half of their roster still on the team from the 2006 Cup win.

Still, the Bruins are the most complete and balanced team of all remaining in the East, and Carolina is going to have to work that much harder if it comes down to another Game 7 on the road - one which the Bruins will win because they don't have the dinosaurs the Devils did.

Bruins in seven.

(4) Pittsburgh vs (2) Washington

This is a nightmare scenario for the league as only one team can make the next round and there's no guarantee the winner makes it to the Cup. Despite the Capitals taking a 2-0 series lead, I imagine that the officiating will be biased for the Pens in Games 3 and 4, and also Game 6. That means it's another gruelling Game 7 for the Capitals, who have done a good job learning what it takes to push on through.

The main factor in this series will not be how the superstars fare, but how the main supporting cast does. How will Evgeni Malkin and Bill Guerin stack up against Sergei Fedorov and Michael Nylander? So far, the Caps have the edge but that will change with home ice.

Washington in seven.

Western Conference

(6) Anaheim vs (1) Detroit

Don't let the Ducks fool you. They will give the speedy Red Wings all they can handle for as long as they can keep throwing their weight around. The fact that Anaheim played close in Game 1 then stole Game 2 probably won't be a factor as to how the next batch of games play out; the Wings can turn on the juice whenevere they want, and the Ducks are enough of an inconsistent club that once their guard is down, Detroit will motor all over them.

Chris Osgood is also just enough of a tested goaltender to outplay Jonas Hiller.

Detroit in six.

(4) Chicago vs (3) Vancouver

Personally, I hope this series never ends. I want it to be best of 37. Both teams fit together like opposite sides of a dovetail joint. Both have youth and speed and grit and goaltenders who can steal games.

Ultimately, Chicago might steal this thing because they have more players who can do more things on the front two lines.

Chicago in six.