Unfortunately, this will be our last issue of the Xavierite for this spring semester. I hope you have enjoyed these NHL articles and I wish that you will stay tuned in the fall for some more!
Let’s cut to brass tacks. The first round of the 2013-14 Stanley Cup Playoffs are almost over.
Some teams have already advanced to the next round and others are in the process of completing that feat.
Though this article is written prior to the games completed after April 28, 2014, I will do my best to cover the series that have not yet been completed as of this date.
As of writing this article, five of the eight series have been completed in NHL playoffs.
2013-14 NHL Playoffs Update
Western Conference
In the West, the dust has settled for Chicago and St. Louis. Chicago, although they went through a rough start, won the series in six games.
St. Louis capitalized in their first two games at home as they survived two third period Chicago leads by tying the game in the last remaining seconds of each game.
After sending the first two games into overtime, St. Louis scored in each overtime giving them a 2-0 lead in the series.
The Blackhawks returned to Chicago and won their next two home games, tying up the series.
Shortly thereafter, the Blackhawks would take down the Blues in St. Louis and again in Chicago to clinch the series.
I firmly believe that if these two Western Conference powerhouses were on opposite sides of the bracket, they would surely meet in the Conference Finals.
St. Louis had a spectacular season, but a spectacular post-season, they did not. Chicago will play the winner of the Colorado-Minnesota series.
Also, in the West, the series between Anaheim and Dallas has finished. Though Dallas gave a good fight, Anaheim was victorious.
The Ducks seemed to have all the momentum in the series, however, Dallas held on tight and won two games.
Both Dallas victories were well deserved of the Stars as they fought for every minute of puck possession.
The series actually seemed to be headed into game seven as the Stars lead the Ducks 4-2 with just over two minutes in the third period.
Majestically, the Ducks rallied to tie up the game 4-4 in just a matter of two minutes and sent the game into overtime.
Ducks forward Devante Smith-Pelly was to thank for the game-tying goal with just 24.2 seconds remaining in the third.
With just 2:47 expired in OT, Ducks forward Nick Bonino ripped the biscuit past the tender to finish the series.
The Anaheim Ducks will draw the winner of the San Jose-Los Angeles series, which may or may not have been determined on Monday night, April 28.
The two series left in the West could have already been completed or will be completed by Wednesday, April 30.
The Colorado-Minnesota series is currently at 3-2 Colorado (as of 4/28/2014 9:30pm).
I believe the Avs will finish off the Wild either on April 28 or on April 30 (tonight). I apologize for the delay in news as hockey does not stop while these issues are being written/printed.
In California tensions have raised as the San Jose Sharks blew a 3-0 lead against Los Angeles.
The Sharks had a chance to sweep the Kings, however the Kings fought back to make the series 3-2 (as of 4/28/2014 9:30pm).
The series can already be over by the time this reaches you, however, I hope that it is sent into game seven for entertainment purposes, of course.
Regardless, my predictions still stand. I believe Chicago will draw Colorado in the Conference Semifinals, and Anaheim will draw Los Angeles.
Eastern Conference
In the East, all but one series has been completed over the last few days. None of these series has disappointed.
The Boston Bruins, as predicted I might add, have beaten the Detroit Red Wings in just five games.
Though captain Henrik Zetterberg made his return to the Wings’ lineup, the Wings could do little against the Bruins defensively sound infrastructure.
The Bruins, with great goaltending and veteran defense, rooted the Wings in an exciting and physical series.
The Bruins will square off against playoff and regular-season rival, Montreal…which brings me to my next point.
The Montreal-Tampa Bay series ended abruptly as the Habs swept the Lightening in the first round.
This was unexpected of me as I thought the Lightening would best the Habs due to a great regular-season and a surging offensive effort led by Steven Stamkos.
However, that was not the case. Montreal’s players showed up ready to play against the Lightening and swept them all the way to the golf course.
The Boston-Montreal will be an absolutely physical and entertaining series to watch…ah I cannot wait for it!
Another surprising series came of the Pittsburgh-Columbus series. This matchup was favored to be an easy sweep against the weaker Columbus Blue Jackets.
However, the hockey gods had other plans. Columbus, with some persistent players and a wee bit o’ luck, held on for a fighting chance against the Pens.
The Blue Jackets managed to win two games before the Pens ousted them in the series, 4-2.
The Pittsburgh Penguins will face off against the winner of the New York-Philadelphia series, which may or not have been determined when reading this paper.
The New York Rangers and Philly Flyers have been duking it out through this series as expected.
Just when the Rangers seem to have the upper hand in the series, Philly comes back and gains the much-needed momentum.
I hope this game goes into game seven, as these two teams really know how to put on a great show, but I still believe the Rangers will square off against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Conference Finals.
Frank’s Stanley Cup Finals Predictions
Matchup: Chicago Blackhawks v. Boston Bruins (REMATCH)
Winner: Chicago in 7 games
Conn-Smythe: Toews/Crawford
See you all in the fall! And GO HAWKS!
Frank Markasovic
Sports Editor