Stanley Cup Predictions 2012: Rangers and Blues on Finals Collision Course

The New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks earned the No. 1 seeds in their respective conferences, but they won't both be in the Stanley Cup Finals.

The Canucks made an appearance last year but ultimately fell in a wild series to the Boston Bruins in Game 7. Unfortunately, they won't get a chance to avenge that loss to the Bruins, nor will they be back in the Finals.

If they escape Johnny Quick and the Los Angeles Kings, there is no telling which Roberto Luongo we'll see this postseason.

Thus, the Rangers, who haven't been to the Finals since winning it in 1994, are the team to beat.

Why? Henrik Lundqvist.

And riding goalkeeping brilliance out of the West will be the No. 2-seeded St. Louis Blues.

St. Louis sports two capable keepers who finished the season top-six in save percentage, with Brian Elliott actually ranked as the league's best at .940. Jaraslov Halak, meanwhile, wasn't far behind in sixth with a .926.

Halak played in 43 games, Elliott 38, and they both averaged less than two goals against per game—a feat only five goalkeepers accomplished this season.

Naturally, one of those five was Lundqvist.

Like pitching in baseball, hot goalkeeping can propel a team to a championship faster than anything else. These keepers aren't just hot, but they're a few of the league's best.

The Rangers and Blues are two of the NHL's top three in goals against, and they'll use those skills to find a way to the Finals. A lot of teams can score goals, but not a lot of teams can stop them the way these two can.