Justblueshirts reviews its Conference Semi-final predictions

1. New York Rangers vs. 7. Washington Capitals
Prediction: Rangers in 7
Actual: Rangers in 7
What else is new with the Rangers?

5. Philadelphia Flyers vs. 6. New Jersey Devils
Prediction: Flyers in 5
Actual: Devils in 5
Whoops. After looking so underwhelming against Florida in the first round, and needing Game 6 and Game 7 OT victories just to stave off elimination, I didn't think the Devils were a great matchup against a well rested Flyers team that was chock full of confidence leading into this semi-final matchup. I couldn't have been more wrong. The Flyers had a difficult time against the Devils forecheck and something called defensemen. The Flyers inexplicably couldn't hold nor capitalize any time they went ahead on the scoreboard, going 1-10 in all playoff games in which they scored first. The turning point for me in this series had to be the four goal - third period the Devils dropped on the Flyers in Game 2. The Flyers' swagger we saw in the Penguins series as well as the latter 3 periods (including OT) Game 1 in this series never returned after Game 2, as the Flyers were the more undisciplined, unprepared team.

2. St. Louis Blues vs. 8. Los Angeles Kings
Prediction: Blues in 6
Actual: Kings in 4
I can safely say NO ONE expected this result. A few completely wrote off Los Angeles going into this round after dispatching Vancouver in the first round without their best player in Daniel Sedin. LA was supposed to be the team that had fantastic goaltending and these big time goal scorers, who couldn't score. Not only did they get fantastic goal scoring in this series from Vezina trophy finalist Jonathan Quick, their goal scorers woke up as well. LA scored 15 goals in just 4 games. It wasn't as though 1 or 2 guys on the Kings suddenly woke up and took the series over either. The Kings had 10 different goal scorers in this series alone. With the balanced scoring as well as lights out goaltending from Quick, the Kings are going to be one tough out (if at all) for somebody.

3. Phoenix Coyotes vs. 4. Nashville Predators
Prediction: Nashville in 7
Actual: Coyotes in 5
Admittedly, I did not watch too much of this series besides the 3rd period of Game 5. When I made my prediction I thought the Preds were the better defensive team, with the shutdown pair of Weber and Suter combined with Pekka Rinne backstopping to cover up any mistakes. Turns out there's still some magic in those old legs of Coyotes' captain Shane Doan and Ray Whitney who can still fly (using that term loosely) now at the age of 40.