#3 Boston Bruins vs. #5 Tampa Bay Lightning
Both these teams should be well-rested after nearly a week off since both quickly swept their higher ranked opponents in the Second Round.
Even though this current group of Lightning players hasn't been in the playoffs together, you can't call this an inexperienced team. Despite an offense led by the 21-year-old dynamo, Steven Stamkos, playoff-tested veterans pepper the roster. Vinny Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis, and Pavel Kubina all won rings with the Lightning in 2004. Ryan Malone reached the Stanley Cup Finals with Pittsburgh in 2008 and Simon Gagne with Philadelphia last year. Plus, there's the 41-year-old goalie, Dwayne Roloson, who's on fire right now and has a little playoff experience of his own, taking the Edmonton Oilers to the Stanley Cup Final in 2007.
On the other hand, the Boston Bruins do have playoff experience together, though this is the first time in Boston's recent run of success that they've advanced past the Second Round.
If when you think Tampa Bay you think offense, when you think Boston you certainly think defense. Vezina trophy finalist Tim Thomas gives this Boston team their identity in net. He's the tough, scrappy fighter that won't give up. He attacks the puck and set the record for goals against average in a season this year, .938. In front of him is the ever imposing and Norris-nominated defender, Zdeno Chara.
With the two hottest goalies in the playoffs facing off against each other, goals will be at a premium. So when picking this series, I'm going with the team that has better goal scorers.
Prediction: Lightning in 7
#1 Vancouver Canucks vs. #2 San Jose Sharks
At least one good thing will come out of this matchup: one of these teams can finally shake its "choke artist" label (for another round any way).
There's a bit of a contrast in styles here. The Canucks are a star-laden team that typically relies on the efforts of its big guns the Sedin twins, Hart trophy finalist Daniel and brother Henrik, Ryan Kesler, and Roberto Luongo in net. The Sharks have a more balanced approach with contributions coming from Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley, Patrick Marleau, Joe Pavelski, Devin Setoguchi, Ryan Clowe, and Dan Boyle.
Typically, the Canucks' playoff Achilles' heel has been the Chicago Blackhawks, a hurdle they thought they cleared in the first round. What the Sharks have though is Chicago's Stanley Cup hoisting goalie from a year ago, Antti Niemi, protecting their net. Even though the Canucks are probably the best team still alive in the playoffs, I'll say Niemi's presence is enough of an advantage to go with San Jose for my pick.
Prediction: Sharks in 6
--from Eric
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