In the Western Conference Semis, we saw two great series go right down to the wire. The Preds put up a decent fight against the #1 seeded Vancouver Canucks but in the end the better team came out on top.
The Sharks jumped out to a 3-0 series lead on the Detroit Red Wings but Hockeytown wouldn't go down without a fight and came all the way back (a la the Chicago Blackhawks) to tie the series at 3-3 before the Sharks finished them in the seventh game at HP Pavilion. I had the Red Wings winning in decisive fashion but the Sharks proved me wrong.
This brings me to where we are now. The Western Conference Semi-finals.
#1 Vancouver Canucks vs. #2 San Jose Sharks
The Sharks blew a third period lead in Vancouver last night but still played well enough to win on the road against the #1 seed in the West. The success of the Sharks relies on the play of Antii Niemi. He has the deep playoff experience that can get the Sharks to the Stanley Cup finals. Virtually the entire squad of the Vancouver Canucks have no experience this deep in NHL post-season play.
I think the Sharks are a deeper team than the Canucks. The Sharks first two lines are nearly untouchable. Having said that, don't think for a second that former Shark defenseman turned Canuck Christian Ehrhoff will want to get a good shot in on Heatley or Marleau as they move into the zone.
I feel confident that the Sharks will get to the cup on the wings of their offense. Devin "The Canasian" Setoguchi has had a good post-season. He's no Sean Bergenheim but he's still playing well. Sharks win 4-3.
Those Bay Area sports fans are spoiled.
-Mikko
