NHL: The Road to an All-Canadian Stanley Cup Final

My review of the playoff match-ups has led me to the conclusion that an All-Canadian team Stanley Cup Final seems very possible this year. 

That would be quite the achievement considering out west, Calgary is the only Canadian team in the playoffs and they are seventh.  

Let me go through my analysis and you tell me what you think.

In the Western Conference: Detroit over Nashville.  This year's Detroit team is as good if not better than previous.  The question might be the consistency of goaltending but it's the playoffs. 

I'm going with the team with more experience and talent.  Detroit in five.

Why do I think the Sharks will fall to Calgary? 

Since the New Year, they have played three times, each with Calgary just squeaking by with a goal. 

I think Calgary's a team that has been there before, and also felt the loss of what could have been. 

This year, in the underdog role initially, I think they are the first round upset waiting to happen.  Calgary in six. 

It's a little disappointing for the Sharks, or rather it will be disappointing for them, since they have been primed to go deep into the playoffs if not picked by many to win it all. 

But this first round match up.  The Flames are better at clawing out those important wins.

Minnesota over Colorado in seven. Dallas over Anaheim in six. 

I like the make up of the Minnesota team over the defense in Colorado.  Special teams will be important, but at the end of the day, Colorado has more to overcome in my mind than Minnesota just based on the style of play. 

The Wild are ready to go deep.

The defending champions will be out with fisticuffs banging away at the Stars. 

I think the pain and disappointment last year in the Stars room will have them flying out of the gates stealing a game within the first two.  From there, they will champion themselves into the next round.

Calgary over Detroit in six, Minnesota over Dallas in five.  Calgary over Minny in seven.

I'm a Vancouver fan, and I've seen Calgary play in my division and the Wild.  I think they are in the conference finals, and it's going to be a great battle.

Out East: Montreal's dominance, in general, and of the Bruins leads me to believe they can sweep.  Out of respect for the Bruins, I say Montreal in five.

Caps and Philly:  I like the momentum of the Caps, but I think the Flyers can turn that around with their crash bang style of play. 

Hartnell shadowing Ovechkin could be interesting.  I wish I would be in North America to watch.

Coin flip. 

Looks like I flipped Caps in seven.

Rangers over the Devils in six. 

I think the Rangers will play the dark horse role very well in the first and second round.  Watch for Daniel Girardi to step it up even more.

The drama series in round one will be the Sens and Pens. 

I think the Sens can win, but logic has me narrowing the field towards the Pens in seven. 

Regardless of the choice, I think a Canadian team will still make it out of the East. 

If Pens win, they play the Rangers next.  If Sens win, they play the Habs. 

Whoever wins, a Sens/Habs series will win the East.  They are that good.

Rushing the end of this article, but the match-ups would go through to MON vs. NYR and then PIT vs. WAS. 

The Malkin vs. Ovechkin battle would be great for the league. 

MON vs. PIT would also be a great young goaltender battle.  Lots of great plot lines here.

CGY vs. MON.  Circa 1986 or 1989!