NHL PLayoffs - Western Conference Semi-Finals

The Western Conference finished up the Quarter Finals when Phoenix sent Chicago home after a 4-0 victory Monday night. I managed to pick every 1st round match-up incorrectly. Though I did feel that the Kings v. Canucks would go 5 games and the Hawks v. Coyotes series would go 6 games. The problem was that I picked the wrong teams. The Hawks, Red Wings and Canucks were all disappointing and should've gave it a better series but hats off to their opponents in those series as they played better and advanced. The age old adage of riding a hot goalie definitely holds true for this round as Quick (LA), Rinne (Nashville) and Smith (Phoenix) were sensational (the term the NHL uses for these types of netminder performances is "standing on their head" for those unfamiliar with hockey)! My hopes of an all Original Six Stanley Cup Final has gone by the wayside. It's still possible for the Bruins or Rangers can represent the Original Six but their playoff advancement hopes stand on the edge of a knife so we shall see.

Here are the Semi-Final match-ups in the Western Conference:

• Los Angeles Kings vs. St Louis Blues: The 8th seeded Kings beat up on the top seeded and Presidents Trophy winner Vancouver Canucks. Jonathan Quick was excellent in goal (8 goals allowed and a .953 save percentage!) and the Kings played tough defense. The Canucks had some injury issues but they still had a more talented team on paper. The young Blues dropped game 1 against the Sharks in overtime but won the next four to advance. I liked the Sharks experience but it didn't help them a lot. This is a real compelling series. Both teams are young, have excellent goaltending and have real good coaches. Both teams don't score a lot and with Quick and Elliot (or Halak) in net goals will be hard to come by. This series looks to a grind it out series that could go seven games. I don't know who on either team is going to score a crucial goal but it will be an interesting series to watch. It would be nice if the Kings making a run would turn into an interest in the NHL in Southern California but I'm going to with the Blues in six. Although if the Kings win the series I will not be surprised.

• Nashville Predators vs. Phoenix Coyotes:  The Predators beat back the mighty Red Wings in 5 games (I thought or sure this series would go the distance) and the Coyotes took care of the Blackhawks in six (in a 1st round match-up that featured two former Hartford Whalers coaching against each other). Mike Smith had an amazing series in net for the Coyotes and stopped 40 some odd shots in getting the shutout in Chicago (Smith faced 241 shots, turning away 229 for a .950 save percentage!). Nashville's Rinne allowed only 9 goals against the Red Wings (a .944 save percentage) so he's no slouch himself. This is another series where there may not be a lot of scoring but that;s not to say that the series won't be exciting to watch. Both teams are tough and like to hit. Since Dave Tippett, is a former Hartford Whaler, I'm going to pick the Coyotes in seven games.

 That's going to do it. The Eastern Conference has 3 game sevens within the next 48 hours so I will recap the Quarters and make a few bad predictions about the next round as well. Thanks for your time.