Welcome back to the greatest thing since sliced bread. I’m your host, Jon Turner. Round 1 has come and gone. Some series were entertaining. Others, it was fun till 9:10 (or in the Flames case 9:25). Two more weeks till we know our Champion, but before we get there, let’s review Round 1 and preview the Conference Finals.

The Calgary Flames. As projected this one was a doozy, 92% of the Fan vote leaned Calgary. Likewise to the season series, Calgary brought out the brooms. 9-1 win and a 6-3 win for the Flames was enough for the white flag to be flown by the Kings. Good run LA, Decent squad built by Duban just not at the end of the day. Will talk more about Flames below.

The second series to end in a sweep was at the hands of the Flyers. The lone series picked by everyone to be Philly, it was clear why. 18 goals through 2 games offense was on display. Alonzi did what he could in game 3 but it was enough as they fell in OT. Availability ended the Leafs season 22 hours earlier than expected but a valiant effort for Devon’s goon squad. 

As my good friend Randy does, the Caps survived this Hurricane with flying colors. The Caps received just 2 votes in the fan vote challenge. The Caps dropped game 1 in OT after erasing a 3-1 deficit with under 5 minutes to play. This game turned some heads in SP, do the Caps really have a chance? They certainly did. With the use of truculence on every player, (did bray have it too?) They disturbed the rhythm of the game and the Canes couldn’t settle in. Winning Game 2 4-2 and game 3 5-4. Avail and frustration ultimately ended the Hurricanes run up the east coast and has now been downgraded to a Tropical Depression.

The final series to end and the only one not to involve FFs was the Sharks 4-1 series win. The Avs snuck a game 1 win on the road. A couple close battles fell the Sharks way and the series was 2-1 in the Sharks favor heading to Friday night. I had the pleasure of being on the call for the Friday night showdown that felt more like a Friday night UFC Card. The Sharks took game 4 7-1 and Game 5 7-2 but split the fights 2-2. A valiant effort from Avs and some tear jerking reactions postgame as retirement may loom for star RW Hardie-.

Now to the good stuff. Conference Finals. 

Flames. Sharks. 1 VS 2. If the season series wasn’t enough, then grab your popcorn. The Flames won the series 4-3. But could this be different? I wish I had the answers but I can tell you this will be one of the better 7 game sets we will see in recent memory. We are all hearing about the Sharks. “Fish has the most points, we have all these NHLers, Flashify was 14-0”. But why aren’t we hearing about the Flames? President Trophy winners. Made quick work of LA. Bunch of Top end talent on the team as well. Since I’ve already talked a lot about both teams in prior articles, I’ll give you game to game predictions. Game 1. Sharks start off slow as they often do in Game 1. Flames take advantage and score 2 quick ones early on. Both teams settle in and the Sharks start to find their game. Even at 2 heading to the Third, the Flames take the lead off a bad turnover on the breakout and ultimately win the game 4-2. Game two is fast paced. Sharks win this one 5-4. To end the night the Sharks continue to Flex their scoring muscles and win game 3 6-2. Thursday arrives. 2-1 Series for the Sharks. Game 4 however goes to the Flames 4-3 in OT. Back to even at 2, Knowing Turner and Hughsy will be in the house on the call after their sweep, The Sharks perform while the lights are bright. A 5-1 win sets them up a game away from skating off with the Clarence Campbell Cup. But not so fast. Flames goaltending plays the best they have all series (whether it’s Chad or Liljxgren) and steals a 3-1 win for the Flames setting up a winner take all game 7. No goals through 1. No goals through 2. A tripping infraction. Who’s that heading to the box? Oh no. It’s Randy. Flames work it around on the PP. Chico skates it in. Finds a cutting forward and it’s 1-0. Is this it? Shark week is gonna end like that? Breakaway. It’s Randy. He has a chance to redeem himself. He stride dekes. He rifles it past the goalie. We are tied at 1. OT looming. You can hear Bart yelling at the fish to figure it out from a mile away. But it’s the Flames who Figure it out. On a grad find from Chico, a forward to be named later rips it past Flashify. Flames take the series in 7 hard fought games. Randy will not go B2B. Fish scored all those points for nothing. Bart claimed his fake Norris for nothing.

Offense Advantages: Sharks. As stated previously the Sharks have a top 3 forward group in SP. Defensive Advantage: Flames. Bart and Chico play similarly, but Shayne is a better compliment than any rd the Sharks have. Goalie Advantage: Flames. Chad and Liljgren are both better than Flashify and Dootees respectively. 

My Pick. Flames in 7

Eastern Conference. Flyers. Capitals. The Season Series went 5-1 in the Flyers way. Trying to be as unbiased as I can be here but I think this series goes the same way. The Caps use of Truculence worked against the Canes because the whole team aspect of the game just didn’t exist for them. For the Caps to be successful this time around I think the truculence strategy will continue to be used but used under control. Defensively they can become a matchup nightmare for the Flyers if they play how they have been in recent weeks. Bray will have to be solid in net. Biggest storyline in this series. Who gets the chance to play for the 4 peat next week. John Dean or Hughsy. I’ll Guarantee there will be one fight between the 2 this series. Now game to game analysis. If the games are fast paced then Philly will win with ease. If the Caps are able to slow down the Flyers offense and possess the puck then the series will balance out and be a good watch. Game 1 will then set the tone for the series. Philly strikes first and takes a 2-0 lead into the second. Caps get on back on a Powerplay midway through the second. Flyers respond and regain the 2 goal edge and then add on 2 in the third for a 5-1 win. Caps start to find a rhythm and are up 2-1 going into the third period. The Flyers get greasy and Hughsy adds in a tip goal to even the scoring before sniiider finds room short side to cap off a 3-2 comeback win. Game 3 the Flyers offense starts to click and they pour in 8 and win 8-0 (even after Kyle tries to score in his own net. Game 4 will be the game where fosix shows why he is in the Norris Conversation. He leads the Flyers to a hard fought 3-2 win and sends Hughsy to his 4th straight cup final.  I think we will get 4-5 competitive games in this series but ultimately I think the difference will be defense and goaltending. 

Offense Advantage: Flyers. It is slim as John Dean and Fluri match up well with Hughsy and Bo but with sniider figuring out how to score he could be a difference maker. Defensive Advantage: Flyers. Kyle and Reim have been able to get it done offensively and defensively. Eggman and Freeze certainly can hang defensively but I think it’s the offense that Reim and Kyle bring that sets them apart. Also Fosix or PGH as a depth dman. My case rests. Goalie Advantage. Flyers. I wont beat around the bush here. I am better than Bray.

My Pick: Flyers in a competitive 4

As always, thanks for reading. Hope I can get into the Broadcasting booth again this week (Just FF once it’s 3-0 Egg). Make sure you submit your Picks for this round. Have a great week SP!