Round 2 predictions here


Alright, I got 7 of 8 in round one and 3 of 4 in round 2 so let's see what I can muster up for the Conference Finals.



Colorado v.s. Dallas

Overview:
This should be a great series since these are two premier teams loaded with talent who will clash. Colorado plays a much more wide open offensive style which Dallas will try and slow the pace down with their defensive system which Hitchcook has put in place. The winner of this series will be overwhelming Stanley Cup favorites.

Colorado at a glance:
The Av’s looked dead after dropping two at home to the Wings but for whatever reason, they turned it around and beat the defending champs in 4 straight. The Av’s are loaded up front with Joe Sakic, Theo Fleury and Peter Forsberg, maybe the 3 best forwards still fighting for a cup. Patrick Roy has also picked his game up which is bad news for Dallas since he already has 3 Stanley Cup rings and two Conn Smythe trophies to his name.

Dallas at a glance:
The Stars teetered and tottered through round two and managed to win game 6 in OT to advance after they droped games 3 and 4 in OT to the Blues. Brett Hull continues to struggle and draw criticism from the press for his poor play but in reality, the Stars still need their other big guns to perform. Eddie Belfore has been adequate in goal but his success will be linked to the defense in front of him.

Colorado will win if: Patrick Roy keeps up the good play and they don’t give up too many turnover.

Dallas will win if: They can get under Roy’s skin and Brett Hull finds his scoring touch.

Prediction: I’m sticking with the Av’s. Colorado in 6.


Buffalo v.s. Toronto

Overview:
A lot of fans will be driving across the border between these two cities this series but the interest here goes beyond geography. Two of the league’s premier goalies and the two remaining Vezina nominees, Dominik Hasek and Curtis Joseph will face off in goal with a berth in the finals up for grabs.

Buffalo at a glance:
The Sabers will once again live and die by the Dominator in this round as they have up until this point. Gee, what else can I say?

Toronto at a glance:
Matts Sundin silenced some of his critics as he picked it up late in the second round in the scoring department. But the Leafs must still be scared at their lack of scoring especially when you consider they’ve had trouble putting goals in against netminders who do have nearly as much talent as Hasek. Curtis Joseph gives the Leafs someone to count on and cheer for since he is sure to continue his playoff brilliance. While most Leaf fans would have been ecstatic to make it this far before the season started, they have their eyes set on the Stanley Cup parade which has not token place in Toronto in 32 years.

Buffalo will win if: The Leafs offense continues to stutter.

Toronto will win if: Hasek plays like he was born on this planet.

Prediction: Although I went against them in the last round, I’ve learned my lesson. Buffalo in 6 in the lowest scoring series in playoff history.