NHL Playoffs 2012: Predicting Who Will Make Stanley Cup Finals

The 2012 NHL playoffs have been nothing short of excellent. Sadly, they will be concluding soon with just one conference finals matchup still to be determined.

Fortunately, the next three series are shaping up nicely and should be extremely exciting for fans to watch.

Let’s take a look at the (possible in the Eastern Conference’s case) conference finals matchups, who will advance and who will take home the Stanley Cup this year.

Western Conference

No one is beating Los Angeles in the West. They have been blessed by the hockey gods before the postseason and finally got some breaks that did not come easy or at all during the regular season campaign.

Jonathan Quick has morphed into an absolute beast of a goaltender and it’s nearly impossible to get past him.

All of those one-goal losses that the Kings suffered in the regular season are now becoming wins because they have found a way to get their shooting percentages up and find the back of the net.

Phoenix will keep this close and steal a game or two, but they will ultimately be defeated.

Los Angeles Kings over Phoenix Coyotes in six games.

Eastern Conference

Let’s assume the Rangers make it over the Capitals in the semifinals. They have been playing better hockey and getting lucky breaks, a perfect formula for winning in the playoffs.

They’ll match up against the tough Devils who have been finding a way to win regardless of the circumstances.

After destroying the favored Flyers in five games, NJ looks ready to make another Stanley Cup run.

It’ll be a great series and one for the ages, but ultimately the Devils will emerge victorious. Hopefully it is in OT of Game 7.

New Jersey Devils over New York Rangers in seven games.

Stanley Cup Finals

Assuming both teams advance, New Jersey will prevail in a hotly-contested Stanley Cup battle. The Devils have not hoisted the cup since the 2003 season and have yet to make it back to the Finals since then.

Los Angeles has only made one finals appearance in their history and the lack of experience on their roster will eventually be the downfall.

New Jersey Devils over Los Angeles Kings in seven games.