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Patrick's Western Conference Semi-Finals Preview
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The second of my Semi-Final preview is the Western Conference and again these games could be classics after what we saw in the Quarterfinals all these team have the keys you need to win and get to the Stanley Cup.
#1 Detroit Red Wings 54-21-7, 115 pts vs. #6 Colorado Avalanche 44-31-7, 95 points: Red Wings won season series 4-0
Yes one of the NHL's best playoff rivalry will be renewed, the Wings and the Avs will beat the crap out of each other this whole series and it will be again a toss up. The Wings showed they are not flawless, Dominik Hasek was pulled in game 6 and showed his inconsistency I can see Mike Babcock going with Chris Osgood through out the series, also the Wings spread the scoring around with all but 4 players not scoring (all defensemen). The Avalanche are playing like the Avs of the past, after finishing the Wild, captain Joe Sakic is playing like he's 24 again and he's been clutch through out the playoffs so far, Peter Forsberg also played a great series. Both teams in my mind are very similar and this will be a great series to watch.
Sleeper Player for Detroit: Johan Franzen, 4pts
Sleeper Player for Colorado: Wojtek Wolski, 5pts
Prediction: Avalanche over Red Wings in 7
#2 San Jose Sharks 49-23-10 108 pts vs. #5 Dallas Stars 45-30-7, 97 pts: Season series tied at 4-4
After a physical series against the Flames... do the Sharks have anything for the upset minded Dallas Stars, we'll have to watch and find out. For the Sharks to win they need to play physical just like they did against the Flames, and they need Brian Campbell to show his offensive skills off after being virtually invisible in the 1st round, Joe Thornton showed up when the needed him the most and they have found secondary scoring in Ryan Clowe and Joe Pavelski with 18 points between them. For the Stars to win they need to play Physical and Marty Turco needs to keep up the solid play in between the pipes and after knocking off the defending cup champs they have some momentum but as I've learned these playoffs; momentum means nothing. Both these teams know each other very well and this will also be a great series to watch.
Sleeper Player for San Jose: Devin Setoguchi, 2pts
Sleeper Player for Dallas: Stephane Robidas, 6pts
Prediction: Stars over Sharks in 7
Yes i have said for all the series to go to 7 games, because they are all capable of doing so, feel free to disagree and make your own predictions!
