Stanley Cup and Cheesecake 2011 - Conference Finals Edition

EASTERN CONFERENCE

(3) Boston Bruins vs. (5) Tampa Bay Lightning

If this was a VS. game of the week, I'd probably elect to endure an episode of How I Met Your Mother with my wife instead of watching (And I hate How I Met Your Mother). Still, these noble teams managed to sweep both the Flyers and Capitals, and that's a situation where everyone wins! So I'll always be thankful to them for that.

Last thing I ever thought I'd be predicting was Tampa Bay moving on to the Stanley Cup Finals, but that's just life in the crazy world of the NHL. Apologies for the pencil drawing, as opposed to something a little more polished, but I kinda busy, y'know, having a baby! Lightning in six.

WESTERN CONFERENCE


(1) Vancouver Canucks vs. (2) San Jose Sharks

Despite a no-show by the Sedin twins, Vancouver looked pretty sharp vs. Nashville...just as well, as I think the Sedin-bots are mainly what I don't care for when it comes to the Canucks. I'd much rather enjoy Ryan Kesler in beast mode, tearing it up on the way to a Conn Smythe trophy. Seems like they've put past failures behind them and are ready to live up to their promise.

And the Sharks...took them forever, and they almost pissed it away, but they finally managed to kill the Red Wings, and for the second year in a row. Maybe they've finally laid to rest that choker label as well.

At any rate, I look for the winner of this series to go on and win the Stanley Cup as well, which'll mean somebody will end a long drought and win their first championship. Always a good time. Canucks in six.

Finally, I'd like to take a minute how stunned and sad I am over the passing of the Rangers' Derek Boogard, who was discovered dead in his home yesterday. Only 28 years old. Damn. RIP big man.