Stanley Cup Predictions: Eastern Conference Finals 2011

Boston (3) VS Tampa Bay (5)

So it’s down to two in the East. Both swept past their second round opponent, after needing 7 to get to that round. Boston last made the Conference Finals in 1991/92 and Tampa Bay entered the league in 1992/93, winning the Stanley Cup 12 seasons later, before the strike.

Offence

Boston

Patrice Bergeron, despite just two goals, leads the Cubs with 12 points. Brad Marchand had 5 goals and 6 assists. Nathan Horton (Mr Overtime in this year’s playoffs) has 5 redlights and five passes. Also with that is David Krejci. Chris Kelly is the fourth center on this list with 7 points.

The Bruins lost to the Pens in the 1991 and 1992. On the Penguins in 1991 was Mark Recchi. This year, the 43 year old has contributed 2 goals and 5 assists on this run. Finally, Rich Peverly has a goal and 5 assists.

From the point, Dennis Seidenberg has the same numbers as Peverly. Andrew Ference has a goal and 4 assists.

Tampa Bay

Stamkos needs to get with the other 2 to form the big three. For now, the new big three is

St. Louis 13 pts

Lecavalier 12 pts

Downie 12 pts (in only 10 games)

Tedd Purcell has only 1 goal, but also has 10 assists. Sean Bergenheim has scored several key goals so far, and leads Tampa with 7. Dominic Moore has 8 points. Simon Gage has 7 points in only 8 games. Finally, we have Stamkos at 6 points.

Eric Brewer leads all Lightning rearguards with 6 points. Pavel Kubina has 2 goals in only 8 games.

Edge: (neither wide nor slight) Tampa Bay

Defence

Boston

The Big Z, Chara is an amazing +11 in only 10 games. Seidenberg, meanwhile is a plus 8. Ference is a +6. Thomas Kaberle, +5, Boychuk, +4. Adam McQuaid is also a plus 4.

For the forwards, Marchand and Recchi are both an impressive +9. Bergeron and Kelly were both +7. Horton and Peverly were each a plus 6.  Krejci and Ryder were +5.

Tampa Bay

A lot of minus guys!

Steve Downie, the right winger, actually lead Tampa in +/- at this point.

As for defenceman, tops on the team is Mattias Ohlund with a +6. He’s not getting much help. Mike Lundin is only +3,  Kubina is only a plus 2, Brewer, +1. Indeed, this needs to improve.

Hedman is a minus three.

Up front, we have Downie with a team leading +9. Lecavalier, Bergenheim, and Moore were all +4. Purcell is a +3.

St Louis, though, is minus 5, and Stamkos a minus 2.

Edge: (slight) Boston

Goaltending

Boston

Thomas continues to step it up, and has stretched his winning streak to 5 games. Doesn’t look like were going to see much, if any, of Rask. 8-3, 2.03, .937 S%.

But now, he will need to steal a few against this kind of offence.

Tampa Bay

Continuing to amaze, Dwayne Roloson nears 42 years and is on a 7 game winning streak here in April / May. His numbers are actually a little better than Thomas’ 8-3, 2.01, .941 S%. He’s proving that he has the abilities to steal some. I see no reason why we won’t see more of that.

Edge: (slight) Tampa Bay

Prediction: Boston in seven games