2013 NHL Playoffs - Conference Semifinals Preview

The puck drops on the Conference Semis tomorrow night when Pittsburgh hosts Ottawa and the defending champion Kings play San Jose in LA. The lower seeds had some success in the Quarterfinals, but I was able to correctly pick 7 of 8 series. San Jose completely annihilated Vancouver 4-0, to give me my lone Quarterfinal loss. I like the way my picks have unfolded thus far, let's see if my winning ways continue in the Semis. Here is a look at who I see advancing to the Conference Finals.

Eastern Conference Semifinals

      
1 Pittsburgh (-280) vs. 7 Ottawa (+220)

The Ottawa Senators thoroughly dismantled the Northeast Division champion, Montreal Canadiens in five games in the opening round. Ottawa has a stingy defense, but the Senators are running into an offensive buzzsaw in the Penguins. They can't expect to shut down Pittsburgh so they will need to find some offense of their own. The Penguins got a tougher fight than many expected against the Islanders. The name of the game is survive and advance and that's exactly what they did. The Pens have the best team on paper, they will prove it on the ice against the Sens.

Prediction - Pittsburgh over Ottawa 4-1

      
4 Boston (-120) vs. 6 NY Rangers (+105)

The Bruins and Rangers both went the distance by winning a Game 7 in their Quarterfinals series'. The Bruins used an improbable 3rd period rally to beat Toronto and avoid blowing a 3-1 series lead. The Rangers embarrassed the Capitals on their home ice. Both of these teams are very dangerous and could easily represent in the East in the finals. It is always exciting when Boston and New York square off in any sport. This should be no different.

Prediction - NY Rangers over Boston 4-3

Western Conference Semifinals

      
1 Chicago (-320) vs. 7 Detroit (+260)

The playoffs are all about getting hot at the right time. Chicago has been hot all year long, and Detroit is playing their best hockey of the year. The Blackhawks dominated their series with the Wild, and got plenty of rest over the last several days. The Red Wings needed to win Game 7 on the road in Anaheim and will only have a couple days off for their aging bodies to recover. Chicago won all four regular season games between these clubs, but the rivalry here suggests that this series won't be as easy. Detroit will battle, but I picked the Blackhawks to hoist the Cup and nothing I've seen has changed my mind yet.

Prediction - Chicago over Detroit 4-1

      
5 Los Angeles (-145) vs. 6 San Jose (+125)

When you think of states that love hockey, California is far from the first that comes to mind. But here we are in a California Civil War for hockey supremacy. The defending Stanley Cup champion, Los Angeles Kings represent southern California while the ultra-consistent San Jose Sharks represent northern California. These teams are no stranger to success and one of them will get one step closer to winning the Stanley Cup. The Kings are looking to become the first team to repeat since the Red Wings did it in 1997 and 1998. And while the Sharks are in the postseason every year, they have never played in the Stanley Cup Finals. I like LA to outlast San Jose in a long, grueling series.

Prediction - Los Angeles over San Jose 4-3