2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Round 3

Work and a few church commitments kept me from posting a prediction of the second round of this year's Stanley Cup Playoff tournament - an awfully nice problem to have, thanks be to God.

But now, in a bold, unprecedented, and utterly preposterous move, I hereby go "on the record" with my last-minute predictions for the Conference Finals in the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoff tournament.





EASTERN CONFERENCE

	(3) Boston Bruins	The two goaltenders in this series, Tim Thomas (BOS) and Dwayne Roloson (TB) are among the most steady, durable, and unflappable in the NHL, but that's where the similarities end. The Bruins' defense has been solid, but the Bolts' firepower on offense will win the day (and the series).  Martin St. Louis and awesome rookie Steven Stamkos will pick apart the Bruins not with size and brute force, but with (excuse the pun) lightning-fast skating and offense.  And at least once in this series, the Tampa Tandem of Dominic Moore and Sean Bergenheim will capitalize on a critical Boston mistake, sending Bruins fans home completely dejected. This may be a long, exhausting... ...and for the Bolts, an utterly wonderful series. Lightning in seven.
	(5) Tampa Bay Lightning

WESTERN CONFERENCE

	(1) Vancouver Canucks	The Canucks had to go to overtime of game 7 versus the Blackhawks, then had to go six against an outstanding Nashville Predators squad.  For the Sharks, it was the other way around:  A slightly inconsistent 4-2 win over the Kings, followed by the closest Stanley Cup playoff series ever, a 4-3 win over the Red Wings. Logic says that with a few days' extra rest, the Canucks will be the better team, especially with Conn Smythe Trophy-candidate Ryan Kesler their clear leader and Luongo having found a goaltending groove in Round 2. But it won't happen. The Sharks will find holes in the VAN defense - and in Luongo.  "Jumbo Joe" Thornton has finally arrived.  Dependable defensemen Dan Boyle and winger Niclas Wallin are quietly solid - and both already have Stanley Cup rings, as does goaltender Antti Niemi.  Ryane Clowe and Patrick Marleau have delivered offense when necessary, but I predict that this time, it will be Wisconsin's Joe Pavelski who propels his team to boldly go where no Shark has gone before. Sharks in seven.
	(2) San Jose Sharks

As I said before Round 1 began, "...may the best team win.  Unless it's the Vancouver Canucks."