Western Conference Finals: #1. Vancouver vs. #2. San Jose

2 teams that have oddly similar postseasons. And by oddly similar I mean their series are the same. First series for Vancouver against Chicago, Vancouver goes up 3-0, blows it, and wins game 7. In San Jose's first series against Los Angeles, San Jose won game 1, lost game 2, won games 3 and 4, lost game 5, and won game 6. For their second series, just switch the games around and the same order in which they were won. Regardless, they are both here now. Here are my 3 keys to the series.


1. Thornton vs. Kesler.

Joe Thornton playing arguably his best playoff hockey right now while Ryan Kesler is arguably playing the best hockey in the entire world right now. But this should be interesting. Kesler is a huge body that lays in hits defensively but also plays fantastic offense netting 5 goals and helping out his team with 10 assists. Joe Thornton has 2 goals and 9 assists, both less then Kesler, but Thornton isn't so far behind Kesler thanks to his stellar play defensively. "Jumbo Joe" has been a monster defensively always intercepting passes, and making good passes to get the puck out of the zone which is good because if you've watched the Sharks this year you know most the goals the Sharks give up are when they can't clear the zone. With Thornton on the ice that doesn't happen. Let's also not forget the face-off power these guys bring. Kesler is 53% while Joe Thornton is 61%.

2. A Year of Anniversaries.

San Jose and Vancouver are both celebrating team anniversaries. Vancouver is in their 40th season and San Jose is in their 20th season. Now both teams have a chance to bring home that Lord Stanely's Cup for their anniversary year. Doesn't it just touch your heart? No, because it's hockey and they still have work to do. It may be their anniversary year and one of them is going to have a chance. But that doesn't mean they win. Be happy about your anniversary year after you win the cup. For now, focus on how you need to get past the team your playing now to even get a chance at it.

3. A Nation United.

The last time a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup was in 1993. That's 18 years ago. Let's take that into perspective. In 1993, gas was $1.16, the World Trade Centers were bombed for the first time, and the most popular movie was Jurassic Park. Yes, the first one. That was a long time ago. Sure teams have come close with Calgary in 2004, and Edmonton in 2006. But they fell short. Vancouver is the clear cut favorite by many people for the Cup and they have an entire nation backing them up. Talk about a large fanbase.


Players To Watch:

Vancouver: Sedin 1 and Sedin 2.

Talk about duds. The most hyped up players in the regular season enter the postseason and do basically nothing. They are going to need to step up and take charge of this team to send them to the Cup Finals.


San Jose: Patrick Marleau.

2 goals against Los Angeles. 1 POINT alone against Detroit. This guy was the leading scorer in the regular season, just like the Sedin's, and needs to step up. The Sharks will not get far with Marleau struggling.


Prediction: This is the toughest pick all year long so far. Vancouver has outplayed the Sharks in the regular season but that was when the Sedin's were doing well. I don't expect them to do well again in this series. Give me the Sharks in 6 games folks.