NHL Conference Finals Preview: Flyers, Blackhawks up 1-0

The Boston Bruins completed the biggest choke job in sports history. Up 3-0 in the series against the Flyers, the Bruins were forced into a do-or-die Game 7. The Bruins were coincidentally up 3-0 in Game 7 before allowing the Flyers to score 4 goals. Philadelphia advanced to the next round to play the 8th-seeded Montreal Candiens, who also completed an upset of their own by beating the defending champs Pittsburgh Penguins. The top two teams in the Western Conference are in the conference finals, the Chicago Blackhawks and the San Jose Sharks. In a twist of fate, the Eastern Conference finals feature the two lowest seeded teams in the Flyers and Canadiens.

Eastern Conference Finals

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Montreal Canadiens, Flyers up 1-0

The Flyers are still riding high after completing the biggest comeback in sports history. They continued their dominance by trashing the Canadiens in Game 1, 6-0. Michael Leighton notched his first playoff shutout and six different players scored for Philadelphia.

The Flyers’ aggressiveness baffled goalie Jaroslav Halak. Halak played a key role in beating the Capitals and Penguins. Before being dominated by the Flyers, Halak had the highest save percentage in the playoffs with .933.

Philadelphia is a defensive-minded team and it showed. The Canadiens had 28 shots on goal, three more than the Flyers, but failed to get on board. Don’t count out the Canadiens though, their speed and physicality will make this a long series.

Canadiens in 6.

Western Conference Finals

Chicago Blackhawks vs. San Jose Sharks, Blackhawks up 1-0

The Sharks lost a close one to the Blackhawks in Game 1. San Jose allowed the game-winning goal with a little under seven minutes left. Antti Niemi saved 44 goals, Dustin Byfuglien and Patrick Sharp scored one goal each.

Chicago has lost only once on the road in the playoffs. Despite that, this will be a long series because the Sharks won’t keel over and just give up the West. San Jose can change the tide and finish games because of their sense of urgency. This is a veteran team that knows how to make the necessary adjustments. Game 1 should be an afterthought for Evgeni Nabokov. He is the second best goalie in the playoffs and it will show in this series.

Sharks in 6.

NHL Merchandise

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