Article:Patrick's Eastern Conference Semi-Finals Preview

After a terrific 1st Round we move on to the 2nd Round.... Yes the Cup Finals are almost here and all the following Eastern Conference Semi-Finals all have the makings of being classics.

Eastern Conference Semi-Finals


 * 1) 1 Montreal Canadiens 47-25-10, 104 pts vs. #6 Philadelphia Flyers 42-29-11, 95 pts: Canadiens won season series 4-0

Well alot of people said Boston couldn't take Montreal to 7 and alot of people said the Flyers wouldn't have a chance against everyone's new favourite team the Washington Capitals, but the Habs survived an upstart bruins squad and made it through and is still a great bet to come out of the east. As for the series i do like the Habs to come out and win it but it won't be easy, Philly has a great goaltender in Martin Biron and has a great scoring ability so if the Flyers can get up early and score often against Montreal i can see the Flyers moving on, Now we know that Montreal's in a way inexperienced team playoff wise can play with the most experienced, but they need some more consistency out of young Carey Price.

Sleeper Player for Montreal: Christopher Higgins, 2pts Sleeper Player for Philadelphia: Joffrey Lupul, 2pts

Prediction: Canadiens over Flyers in 7


 * 1) 2 Pittsburgh Penguins 47-27-8, 102 pts vs. #5 New York Rangers 42-27-13, 97 pts: Rangers won season series 5-3

What most of us expected the Pens to cruise through the Sens right in to the 2nd round as for the Rangers they won and they won by dominating the whole Devils team and now they meet and it should be a beauty Jaromir Jagr has found his scoring touch and is backed by some great support, the Pens have a complete team and Marc-Andre Fleury has proved to the experts that he can be a dominate playoff goalie. The series is a toss up who can bring the power and the aggression to win in the NHL Playoffs, if these two played in a best of 28 it would be 14-13.

Sleeper Player for Pittsburgh: Jordan Stall, 1pt Sleeper Player for New York Brandon Dubinsky, 6pts

Prediction: Rangers over Penguins in 7