The Final Four

With the Bruins up 3-0 in the first period of their game with Philly, I'm going to assume that Boston dodged their once-in-a-generation choke, and will host the first game in the Conference finals.  But who will win that series?  I'll say Montreal in 6 (though I secretly believe/hope that the Habs will only take 4 games, especially if Markov gets up to speed before the series is too old).

Out West, I'll pick the Sharks, with their under-the-radar efficiency in finishing off their opponents (under my radar, anyway - I haven't paid too much attention to their first two quick series).  With Ovechkin and Crosby out, pretty much all of the star players left in these playoffs are in the San Jose-Chicago series.  Two really good teams there!  I'll say SJ in 6, but I'm hoping for a hard-fought 7-game series (unless Boston wins, in which case, Anyone But Boston!

****** Hard to believe, but it turns out the Bruins have done a choke for the ages.  Not sure if this is better or worse for Montreal.  Perhaps Boston had better goaltending, but Philly is probably feeling pretty confident right now.  I'll stay with my Habs in 6 (I mean 4) over the Habs.  And, of course, Anyone But Philly!