Scores and analysis as of 5/18

Jason Bedard

 

            The Conference Finals have been nothing but everyone expected so far.  In the West Dallas is battling back and is only losing by one game to Detroit.  In the East Philadelphia tried to hold off the Penguins with a win on Friday night but couldn’t keep it up.

            The Red Wings have a reputation of ruining an amazing season by getting beaten before the Stanley Cup Finals.  I would be worried if I was a Wing’s fan because that is exactly what is happening this year.  Detroit started off winning three games against the Stars and then let them back into it just like they did with Nashville which almost cost them their playoff spot.  If the Wings lose the next game I think the Stars have a very good chance to knock them out of the playoffs.  Dallas has the easy job in this series they have put all the pressure on Detroit by winning the last two games.  They have faced elimination ever since Game 4 so I don’t think they are to concerned about that, all the Stars have to do is beat the number one team in the league two more times and then they deserve a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals.  Another aspect of the game that could cause problems is home ice which does not seem to matter in this series and I don’t see it becoming one.  If you are a fan of Detroit watching them in the playoffs can be very painful.  The quarterfinals took them seven games and now the Western Finals is in its sixth game when they only have had to win one game since Game 3.  So far the Wings have been able to pull it off but let’s see if they can do it again. 

            Philadelphia’s season ended today with a 6-0 loss to the Penguins.   I’m just glad the Flyers didn’t get swept in the Eastern Finals.  You have to give the Flyers credit they beat Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals in Round 1.  Then they beat the number one team in the East, Montreal Canadiens, in Round 2.  In this series they were setup to fail.  First, they lost Kimmo Timmonen who has been dominating the blue line the entire postseason.  Then the Flyers fell behind in the series 3-0 and I didn’t even mention the fact they are playing a team who has only lost one game the entire postseason.  Philly did put up a fight by winning Game 4 but they couldn’t hold off the Penguins any longer and got crushed this afternoon 6-0.  Philly going into the playoffs was an underdog and has proven themselves a great team.  I hope they build off this season and are back in the playoffs next year, but I still don’t know if I can forgive them for almost killing Patrice Bergeron early in the season.

            My prediction is half correct so far.  The Penguins dominated the Flyers in five games and are already into the Stanley Cup Finals.  The Wings should be able to knock off the Stars but as I said before they are known to blow it in the postseason.  Dallas Stars vs. Detroit Red Wings at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas tonight at 8.