NHL Conference Finals Preview

With a rare lull in Finals week, and with the conference finals getting underway tonight, I figured this was the perfect time to unveil some conference finals predictions.

West: (1) Detroit vs (5) Dallas
In a matchup of unlikely hot goalies, Chris Osgood takes on Marty Turco. The Stars dispatched of one of the cup favorites, the San Jose Sharks, in an epic 5 overtime game 6, whereas the Detroit Red Wings had no trouble sweeping away the Colorado Avalanche. While the Stars are playing great hockey, and getting hot at the right time, the Red Wings are very talented and if this series isn't too physical, the Wings should have little trouble.
Red Wings in 5

East: (2) Pittsburgh vs (6) Philadelphia
Many people are touting the all Pennsylvania affair as a potential classic, but quite frankly I don't see it. In every facet of the game Pittsburgh overmatches the Flyers. Pittsburgh has arguably the two best hockey players on Earth, and their fourth line has players like Ruutu and Laraque who can put the puck in the net as well, as well as playing tough defensive hockey, which should frustrate Philly's skill players like Jeff Carter. To me the X factor is Pittsburgh's Ryan Whitney. He had a tough series against the Rangers and really needs to rebound. Also, Marc Andre Fleury is really emerging as a Conn-Smythe candidate.
Penguins in 5

Sure going with chalk is all boring, but it worked for the NCAA tournament (Go Jayhawks!) so why not here? Enjoy your hockey, and for all you ND readers: get back to studying you lazy piles.