All but one of the semifinal matchups went to seven games. Once again, this is probably the best playoff hockey I’ve seen in a while. Crosby vs. Ovechkin was epic. The only thing that could have made it better was if they met in the conference finals. Sid the Kid got the better end of the series skating past the Caps in seven. The Hurricanes surprised the hockey world by beating heavily favored Boston in overtime. Carolina is on a roll. The Blackhawks made it look too easy against the Canucks. Sorry about no Cup Canada. There is always next year. The defending champs outlasted the Ducks to have a chance to defend their Western Confernce crown and the Cup of course. The conference finals will have more of the same exciting action.

Easter Conference Finals

4 Pittsburgh vs 6 Carolina

I’ll say that I’m not shocked Carolina is here, but I’m shocked Carolina is here. The Hurricanes lead by Eric Staal, Joni Pitkanen and Cam Ward have had a great postseason. Great finishes and great coaching to. Paul Maurice has won his last six playoff series. Sidney Crosby will try to get his team back to the Stanley Cup Finals, but have to get past the streaking Canes. Evgeni Malkin has to there from the start. He can’t afford to be absent. Marc-Andre Fleury was spectacular for the Penguins against Washington. Fleury is the key in this series. The Hurricanes will constantly be on the attack. The defense will need to be alert, but Fleury needs to continue the great goaltending to get his team back for another title shot. Penguins in six.

Western Conference Finals

2 Detroit vs 4 Chicago

Two of the original six go face to face in the conference finals. They are also division rivals and really don’t like each other. The young Blackhawks have a lot to look forward to in the near future. I guess that means now. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane can’t seem to be stopped. The Red Wings have Henrik Zetteberg and Johan Franzen as their one-two punch. This series comes down to who will not give up stupid peanlties, make stops at key moments, the obvious stuff. The key player is Nicklas Lidstrom for Detroit. Kind of shocking. Lidstrom was good, not great against the Ducks. He’ll have to be perfect in this series. Chicago will be looking to upset their rival and take the momentum to a Stanley Cup title. Blackhawks in seven.