Stanley Cup and Cheesecake 2014 – Conference Finals

I've been so busy staring dumbfoundedly at my computer screen, marveling at what an utter disaster my favorite team has become, that I almost forgot to post my conference finals picks!

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Montreal Canadiens vs. New York Rangers

The Rangers took advantage of a Pens team that completely took their foot off the gas and let them storm back from a 3-1 series deficit. The Habs, meanwhile, stunned their biggest rivals, winning game seven in Boston to send the President's Trophy winning Bruins golfing. This series is a story of two amazing goaltenders, and the one who can steal the most games will win. Canadiens in six.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Los Angeles Kings

At this time last week, we seemed destined for an identical final four as last year, but only the Kings and Blackhawks were able to seal the deal. Last year's matchup between these teams didn't live up to the expectations, as Chicago rolled to a fairly easy win in five games, but I'm betting this year is different. Kings in seven.

Stanley Cup and Cheesecake 2014 – Pacific Division Finals

(1) Anaheim Ducks vs. (3) Los Angeles Kings

You gotta figure the Kings are awfully tired out from having to come all the way back from a 3-0 defect to win their first-round series against the Sharks, but the idea of a dialed-in Jonathan Quick has got to be terrifying for the Ducks. If Anaheim can get a jump and get a big lead in the series early,they might be able to advance, but I'm betting on the Kings in six.

HEY, YOU...WANNA BUY SOME ART?: All of the original, hand-drawn art for this year's Stanley Cup picks will be on sale soon...but much of the art from previous years is currently available at my Etsy store, and on sale for 30% off through the end of the playoffs in June, when you use the code CUP2014 at checkout!

Of course, if you'd like to go the extra mile and get a personalized, one-of-a-kind uni-girl illustration of your very own to your exact specifications, that information can be found here.

Stanley Cup and Cheesecake 2014 – Metropolitan Division Finals

(1) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (2) New York Rangers

Of the matchups the Penguins could have drawn in the second round, the one with New York is by far the the more favorable. Which is not to necessarily say they'll win, given their duplicitous play thus far in the postseason...but the Rangers, divisional rivalry be damned, do not come close to the Flyers in their ability to rankle the Penguins and get them focused on anything but playing hockey.

That said, the Rangers are no easy out. The Rangers power play sputtered in the first round vs. the Flyers, but if it gets going, it'll cause problems for a Penguins penalty kill which has fallen off precipitously in the last month. New York might actually be more dangerous when on the PK themselves, as the Pens surrendered a short-handed goal in three games against Columbus.

No idea what to make of Pittsburgh. It all seems to be lining up for them, their two most recent games to close out the Jackets being by far their best of the postseason. Even so, they nearly gave it all away in the last 10 minutes of Game Six, letting Columbus turn a 4-0 shutout into a 4-3 nail biter. The Penguins have traditionally made Henrik Lundqvist look mortal, and if the real Pens' leaders can show up and score, they should be able to take advantage of and put away a weary Rangers team. Pens in six.

A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR: All of the original, hand-drawn art for this year's Stanley Cup picks will be on sale soon...but much of the art from previous years is currently available at my Etsy store, and on sale for 30% off through the end of the playoffs in June, when you use the code CUP2014 at checkout!

Of course, if you'd like to go the extra mile and get a personalized, one-of-a-kind uni-girl illustration of your very own to your exact specifications, that information can be found here.

Stanley Cup and Cheesecake 2014 – Central Division Finals

(3) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (WC1) Minnesota Wild

It took the Blackhawks a little while to get rolling in the first round against the Blues, but once they did so they quickly began to look again like last year's champions. The Wild, who lost to the Hawks in five games last year, has revenge on it's mind...but the amazing depth and ability to score from all over the place will likely pace Chicago to another fairly quick victory. Unless Matt Cooke actually physically kills somebody (and maybe even if he does) it's the Blackhawks in five.

HEY, YOU...WANNA BUY SOME ART?: All of the original, hand-drawn art for this year's Stanley Cup picks will be on sale soon...but much of the art from previous years is currently available at my Etsy store, and on sale for 30% off through the end of the playoffs in June, when you use the code CUP2014 at checkout!

Of course, if you'd like to go the extra mile and get a personalized, one-of-a-kind uni-girl illustration of your very own to your exact specifications, that information can be found here.

Stanley Cup and Cheesecake 2014 – Atlantic Division Finals

(1) Boston Bruins vs. (3) Montreal Canadiens

This is a classic, timeless rivalry, and this year's edition of the familiar matchup will feature what may be the two best teams in the Eastern Conference right now. Each dispatched their first-round opponent with relative ease, both essentially winning in a sweep after a game one loss by the Bruins against the Red Wings. Montreal can get under the skin of the Boston players perhaps better than any other team, and if the rascally Habs can get the Bruins whining about dives and thinking with their fists in addition to worrying about a rock-solid  Carey Price in net, le Bleu, Blanc et Rouge will have a really solid shot at the upset. Canadiens in six.