2009 Playoff Preview - Conference Semifinals

The first round of the NHL's second season has ended, and, for some teams, it ended in surprising and stunning fashion. The first round featured some shocking upsets, fantastic plays, and a couple of teams asserting their dominance. It should make the second round that much more interesting.

Eastern Conference
#1 Boston Bruins vs. #6 Carolina Hurricanes
The Bruins made sort work of their long-time nemesis, sweeping the Montreal Canadiens out of the playoffs behind brilliant play in all aspects of the game. The goaltending was fantastic, the offense was sparkling, and the defense was putting up walls in front of Montreal all series. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes needed a few last-minute heroics to steal a series win from the New Jersey Devils. Still, the Hurricanes have a strong team, and now they have a mission.

For Carolina to get past Boston, though, they're going to need more than fluky goals in the last minute and a half, or a deflection off of a skate. The Bruins are a team that plays all aspects of the game very well, and, while luck definitely comes into play during the run to the Stanley Cup (just ask Martin Brodeur and the Devils), there are times where sheer skill is going to win out. The Bruins won't march through the Hurricanes in the same fashion that they bowled over Montreal, but don't look for a different result. Boston in six games.

#2 Washington Capitals vs. #4 Pittsburgh Penguins
In many ways, the Penguins drew an easier draw in the first round, taking on the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers banged Pittsburgh all series long, but the Pens just had to get enough offense to keep Philadelphia at bay, and they did so. Meanwhile, the Capitals needed a game seven to rid themselves of the New York Rangers, largely because they put themselves into a 3-1 hole. Eventually, the Capitals were able to put together solid goaltending and allowed their offense to pick up the pieces on the way to a thrilling series win.

This second round match-up is both a dream and a nightmare for the NHL, because it features the league's two golden boys, Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin. In many ways, whichever team wins the series, the league will be losing somewhat, as they lose an immediately bankable player. However, the two teams match-up very well. Pittsburgh is better defensively, marginally, and the Capitals hold the same slim edge when it comes to offense. It should be a tremendous series, but the main question comes down to which team is more banged up. Both the Rangers and the Flyers took their toll during the first round, and Pittsburgh has had a little more time to recover. Still, don't count out a team that bounced back from the hole Washington did. Expect another long series, with Pittsburgh squeaking it out in seven games.

Western Conference
#2 Detroit Red Wings vs #8 Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks shocked the playoff world by sending the San Jose Sharks home early. Their reward? They get to face a rested Stanley Cup champion team in the Detroit Red Wings. The Wings manhandled Columbus in the first round, moving easily into the second, while the Ducks, behind the goaltending of Jonas Hiller, frustrated the Sharks at all ends of the ice. San Jose simply couldn't find their offense, and the Ducks got some emerging stars to contribute big goals through the series.

The problem that the Red Wings might face? Taking the Ducks too lightly. Anaheim will play Detroit more physically than Columbus did, and actually have a chance of disrupting the free-wheeling Detroit offense. Meanwhile, Detroit is going to need to use their crisp passing to get the puck around the Anaheim defense, which, as the Sharks saw, collapses around the net, making rebounds (something Detroit thrives on) even more difficult to gather up. But how long can Jonas Hiller be the stud in goal? Look for Detroit to take this series in seven games.

#3 Vancouver Canucks vs. #4 Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago may be the most dangerous opponent in the playoffs right now, and they've just come off of a big series against the Calgary Flames. The Blackhawks young stars grew up in front of the playoff glare, standing up the more experienced Flames before skating away with the series victory. Meanwhile, the Canucks showed just what happens when two streaking teams meet, but only one team has the Sedin twins. The Blues just didn't have an answer for either Sedin, and the only time they got decent shots towards (and past) Roberto Luongo, they found iron instead.

This series should prove interesting, as, much like against Calgary, it's going to be a series of youth vs. experience. Stars like Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews stepped up for Chicago, and will need to continue doing so if the Hawks want to make it to the Conference Finals. Meanwhile, Vancouver is going to need to get a spark from players who aren't named Sedin if they want to continue their run. Look for Chicago to knock out their second Northwest Division opponent, as they advance in six games.