Conference finals results and picks for the finals

Current Standings(this round, overall (tiebreak):
Mine: 1-1, 9-5, (7)
JR: 1-1, 9-5 (6)
JB: 1-1, 3-3 (10)
DP: 1-1, 7-7 (11)
JG: 1-1, 2-4 (11)
TS: 1-1, 4-2 (8)
GV: 0-2, 2-4


Conference finals results:
#3 Boston vs #5 Tampa Bay
Goaltending, goaltending, goaltending....wait, what? I dont think anyone expected 42 goals to be scored in the series, i think 42 would have been a better prediction for the entire round in terms of goals scored. Even if you said now you expected a high scoring battle, I probably wouldn't believe you. But indeed that is what we got, a game with 11 goals ending in a Boston win, then two more with 8 and 9 respectivly both ending in Tampa Bay wins. Of course there were a couple good goaltending battles in there as well, the 2-0 and 3-1 wins by Boston. Surprisingly Roloson was not the starter in the 3-1 loss for the lightning. Mike Smith was given his chance after performing very well in relief of Roloson earlier in the round. The best goaltending performance of course occurred in game 7. The teams combined for 62 shots on goal but only one went in the net. The 1-0 win for the Bruins marked the first loss for Roloson in an elimination game, he was previously 7-0. The series win comes despite the fact that Boston still has not found their powerplay. They scored only three powerplay goals in this series, 2 of them coming in their 6 goal game 2. The Bruins will need some more offense to get by the Canucks but since it is the NHL playoffs, who knows what will happen.
Oh and by the way if your a NBA fan and reading this saying the basketball playoffs are better, show me a player with more toughness and desire than Steven Stamkos. The guy blocked a shot with his face, breaks his nose, he gets patched up, throws on a cage and returns to the ice, all in under 10 mins. Yeah something about a separated shoulder or a sprained thumb or ankle just doesn't sound all that tough any more.
The Picks:  
Mine: Bruins in 7
TS: Bruins in 6
JB: Bruins in 5
DP: Lightning in 6
JR: Lightning in 6
GV: Lightning
JG: Lightning in 6

#1 Vancouver vs #2 San Jose
When the end came near, the Canucks star players shined brighter than the Sharks stars, and a little lucky bounce never hurt anyone either. The Canucks continue to look stronger as the playoffs move forward, despite the goaltending of Luongo. I give credit where credit is due, he is stopping the pucks that he needs to. His method is so sloppy though, ending up flat on his stomach after almost every save, naturally to a roar of louuuus from the Vancouver crowd. In four of the five games in the series, the Sharks held the lead at least once in the game, failing to hold on and get the win in all but the third game. In the two losses Vancouver scored the game winning goal in the third period, something the Sharks struggled to do for the most part. The series clinching goal was one of the most obscure goals I have seen in a while, all the credit in the world to Bieska for being the only person (referees included) on the ice to know where the puck was and to hit the net with the shot. If the Canucks scorers continue to score clutch goals like they did in this series, they will be a tough match up for either team from the East in the finals.
The picks:
Mine: Sharks in 7
TS: Sharks in 6
JB: Sharks in 6
DP: Canucks in 7
JR: Canucks in 7
GV: Sharks
JG: Canucks in 5


Stanley Cup Finals:
#1 Vancouver vs #3 Boston (Vancouver is the "home team")
This series has the potential to match the intensity of some of the first round series that we saw this year. Both teams have a physical style with big players to back it up. By the numbers both teams have fantastic goaltending, Thomas for the Bruins and Luongo for the Canucks. I think the advantage goes to Thomas and the Bruins here though, he has been too strong throughout the entire year to pick against him now. In front of the goalies there are a whole bunch of large defenseman on both teams. I think the Bruins also get the advantage here, they have been a major part of Thomas' success throughout the season and will continue to be throughout the finals. The defense is more important for Vancouver though, they need to keep shots to the outside and control the play in front of their goalie, if they can shut down the scorers for Boston, they should have no trouble. The offense category by all means goes to the Canucks. Their stars have continued to shine through the third round and are ready to lead the team to their first Stanley Cup Championship. The key for me for the series will the the powerplay and penalty kill units for both teams. Tampa Bay was supposed to have a potent powerplay but Boston shut them down other than a 3-4 effort in game 6. Vancouver will need to keep Bostons off the board as well, they have struggled throughout the playoffs, registering only 4 goals on the man advantage. However, if the Bruins can find their powerplay their chances will increase greatly. I've picked Boston over the course of the playoffs because of their home ice advantage, now they do not have it. The advantage is now with the Canucks, ill take them in 7 games.
The Picks:
JR: Canucks in 6
TS: Bruins in 7
JB: Canucks in 5
JG: Canucks in 6
GV: Canucks
DP: Canucks in 7