NHL 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Final Four: Expect The Unexpected Edition.

Today is the beginning of the Final Four in this years road to the Stanley Cup. The one constant that has become apparent, as we approach the final two weeks in the quest for Lord Stanley's mug, is just how unpredictable these playoffs have thus far played out.

I have termed this years playoffs as the 'expect the unexpected' edition and hear is what I mean.

In the Eastern Conference Final, here we have the battle of the second seeded Pittsburgh Penguins and the sixth seeded Philadelphia Flyers. Two teams with youthful exuberance and limited playoff experience.

Did we expect the upstart Pittsburgh Penguins to so easily dispose of an equally talent laden Ottawa Senator team in just four games? Also, did we foresee them having their way with the veteran savvy of the New York Rangers led by the likes of previous Cup winners Jaromir Jagr and Brendan Shanahan? 

Who would have expected that the worst team in the Eastern Conference last year - the Philadelphia Flyers - would make the playoffs in '08, let alone compete and win in this years playoffs?  Did we expect them to so easily defeat two very talented teams in the Washington Capitals and the Montreal Canadiens?

Over in the Western Conference we can see a very similar story unfolding in regards to the Dallas Stars and their rise above mediocrity in this years quest for the 'Holy Grail.' Who would have predicted that the Stars would manhandle last years Cup winners the Anaheim Ducks in relative ease? While they were at it, they made several hockey pundits look mortal as they disposed of one of the Cup favourites in the San Jose Sharks in similar ease. Coming into the playoffs the Sharks were the hottest team in the last twenty games of the regular season. Who saw that derailment coming?

The only expected team to travel without a hiccup in these playoffs have been the Detroit Red Wings and their disposal of the feisty Nashville Predators and the simple dismantling of Jose Theodore and the Colorado Avalanche. The only unexpected and unforeseen moment in regards to the Wings 2008 juggernaut thus far has been that goalie Chris Osgood and his playoff best goals against average of 1.52 has sent veteran playoff icon Dominik Hasek to the end of the bench and is  now in an unfamiliar back-up roll.

You can expect to see some more exciting hockey as we head into the Stanley Cup Finals and here is my breakdown as to how I see this years remaining Final Four matching-up.

Western Conference Finals

Detroit Red Wings (1) vs Dallas Stars (5)

Begins tonight (May 8th) in Detroit.

SEASON SERIES

The Red Wings played some great defence this year against the Stars. They won three of four matches and out scored Dallas 12-5. Both teams had a shutout.

PLAYOFF HISTORY

The Wings have played the Stars three times in both teams history. Unfortunately it was when Dallas played in Minnesota. The Wings won all three series, winning in the old 'Chuck' Norris division. The last time that they met was in 1998 and that went to Game 7.

THE LOWDOWN

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