2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: Conference Semi-Finals Predictions

The Conference semifinals of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs kick off tonight as the Canucks play host to the Predators.

No upsets occurred in the first round, this year except for Nashville's elimination of Anaheim, and Tampa Bay's 3-1 series comeback against Pittsburgh. Who will be the last four standing when the Conference finals kicks off in mid-May?

Check out below:

Eastern Conference

(1) Washington Capitals vs. (5) Tampa Bay Lightning

In the first round, the Lightning came back from a 3-1 series deficit to beat Pittsburgh, while the Capitals needed only 5 games to eliminate the Rangers. Now these two division foes square off for a trip to the conference finals.

Tampa goalie Dwayne Roloson was solid in the last three games of the series against the Penguins, and Martin St. Louis netted 8 points.

The Capitals appear to be a different playoff team compared to last year, and the year before. Goalie Michal Neuvirth leads all goalies in GAA (1.38) through the first round. Both teams are young and don’t have much experience deep in the postseason, but if you’re looking for someone to come up on top, tip your hat to the Capitals.

Caps in six.

(2) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (3) Boston Bruins

The Flyers and Bruins meet in the second round for the second straight year, with the Bruins now ready to avenge the collapse of their 3-0 series lead from the Flyers last year. Both teams nearly didn’t make it though, as the Flyers needed overtime in game six against Buffalo to force a seventh game which they eventually won, and the Bruins bounced back from a 2-0 deficit against Montreal, and won three games in overtime including the seventh game.

Claude Giroux and Daniel Briere provided a one-two punch against the Sabres (16 points combined), while Patrice Bergeron (7 points), Chris Kelly (6 points), and Nathan Horton (2 OT goals) were heroes for the Bruins.

The Flyers must keep the Bruins out of overtime if they want to win. Other than that, I believe Philly has a slight edge.

Flyers in seven.

Western Conference

(1) Vancouver Canucks vs. (5) Nashville Predators

The Canucks got a major scare when they held a 3-0 lead in their series against the Blackhawks, only to see it slip, but then they bounced back and needed overtime in the seventh game to eliminate the defending cup champs, while Nashville eliminated the Ducks in six.

This series between two Vezina Trophy finalists Roberto Luongo and Pekka Rinne could make the series a goalie war, but due to the Predators lack of talent and playoff experience, Luongo and the Canucks will win the series.

Canucks in five.

(2) San Jose Sharks vs. (3) Detroit Red Wings

In what may be the most intriguing series in the NHL second round, the Sharks and Red Wings do battle in the conference semifinals for the second year in a row.

Last year, the Sharks needed only five games to eliminate the back-to-back Western Conference Champion, but because the Wings are stronger team than last year, we’ll have a tighter battle this year.

The Sharks had three overtime wins in their first-round series against the Kings, and Ryan Clowe lead the team with 7 points. The Red Wings took no prisoners in their clash against the Coyotes and were the only team to sweep an opponent in the first round.

The Sharks have the worst power play of all teams in the second round, while the Wings are only ahead of Nashville with the worst penalty kill, so far in these playoffs.

So who goes on? So far, I’ll give the edge to Detroit thanks to their better goaltending in the first round. But this series is a wild card.

Red Wings in seven.