NHL Stanley Cup Conference Semifinals Outlook

I correctly picked seven of the eight quarterfinal series, only missing New Jersey's 4-2 series win over Tampa Bay which I thought would be an upset. The semifinals should be closely contested and hopefully we will get at least a couple of series go the full seven games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

#1 Buffalo Sabres v #6 New York Rangers -- Buffalo worked a harder than expected to get by a determined and gritty New York Islanders squad in the quarters, so they know they will have their work cut out against the Rangers. New York played well down the stretch and has a lot of weapons, but the Sabre offense and powerplay should help carry the Presidents Cup Winners to a second consecutive conference finals appearance...
...BUFFALO 4-2

#2 New Jersey Devils v #5 Ottawa Senators -- This should be a close and low scoring series between two fine clubs. The Senators edge in offense should be enough to get them into the Eastern Conference Finals finally after several seasons of underperforming in the playoffs...
...OTTAWA 4-3

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

# 1 Detroit Red Wings v #5 San Jose Sharks -- Like Buffalo and Ottawa, this is will be the year that the Sharks get over the hump, but they face a monumental challenge in the Red Wings. Detroit seem to be the most complete team remaining but there seems to be a piece missing and that may be heart...
...SAN JOSE 4-3

#2 Anaheim Ducks v # 3 Vancouver Canucks -- The powerful Ducks have far too much firepower and an effective power play unit for the gritty Canucks to overcome in spite of better goaltending probably...
...ANAHEIM 4-2

If any of these series do end up as a sweep or near-sweep, I would guess it would be the Ducks and Canucks series or perhaps the Sabres and Rangers series.

Looking ahead at the calendar, it would look as if the Conference Championship series should begin on Friday 11 May or Saturday 12 May with the Stanley Cup Playoffs starting two weeks later in May.