NHL: Canucks Can Taste Conference Finals

It’s been a far from stress free post-season for Vancouver fans. Thursday night’s victory in Nashville has left the Canucks just one win away from returning to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 1994. Even the Green Men are taking nothing for granted ahead of Game 5 on Saturday.

40 years of hurt
The Vancouver Canucks have never won the Stanley Cup but so far in these playoffs they have looked like the team of destiny. First they rocketed to a 3-0 series lead over the Blackhawks, then they survived Chicago’s comeback to clinch the series in Game 7. The Western Conference Semi Finals with Nashville have been less dramatic but still tense. After dropping Game 2 at home, in double overtime no less, the Canucks enjoyed an overtime victory in Game 3 in Nashville before last night’s relatively comfortable 4-2 triumph on the road.

If nothing else Vancouver will have been battle tested before the Western Conference Finals. Getting some rest would be a bonus. The Sharks could potentially lock up the other spot in the conference decider tonight if they complete the sweep of the Red Wings. The Canucks will get their chance to march on at home against the Predators on Saturday. No series is over until that fourth win is secure so Vancouver fans will be taking nothing for granted. Still, it’s starting to look like it might finally be their year.

Wrapping it up
While the Sharks have been forced to work hard for every one of their wins to take a 3-0 lead over the Red Wings, the Boston Bruins have made far lighter work of the Flyers. Philadelphia’s unlikely run to the Stanley Cup Finals last year was followed by what looked to NHL betting fans like a great regular season. The trouble was the Flyers’ goaltender situation grew increasingly worse to the point that they looked like a particularly weak #2 seed entering the playoffs.

Fast forward and after surviving the Sabres, the Flyers are up against it in their series with the Bruins. The Bruins have outscored the Flyers 15-6 over the three games, with only the overtime victory in Game 2 delivering any drama. Untested as the Bruins may have been in this series, their apparently unstoppable march to the Eastern Conference Finals will do wonders for their confidence. Tonight they get a chance to complete the sweep and get a shot at Tampa Bay.