Todd Cordell
I think this series will go 7 games either way but I expect the Sharks to advance to the Stanley Cup Final.
As good as the Blues are I think the Sharks have more high-end star power up front. Joe Thornton played at an MVP caliber this year, Joe Pavelski is insanely good, Logan Couture just set the team record for points in a series and Brent Burns is up for the Norris. I expect their star power will push them through.
The Sharks have also played a couple less playoff games thus far so they're a little more rested.
Lastly, I have no faith in the Blues defending leads. They continually park the bus as soon as they get up in a game and they've blown a ton of leads as a result. I think they'll blow at least one game this series and that could very well be the difference.
I really like this Blues team but I think when all is said and done the Sharks will win.
John Jaeckel I like the Blues. They are showing the value of going 4 deep on quality 2-way blue liners and great goaltending. And their forwards are delivering.
Hitch has also transformed the mindset of what has always been a talented but self-defeating team. Tarasenko is so good and so competitive. Blues in 6.
Peter Tessier This is easily the more intriguing of the two conference finals for me. Both teams have always seemed to be the bridesmaid and never the bride. San Jose was last in the conference finals in 2011 where they fell to the Canucks in 5 games. For St. Louis it's been longer, much longer since an appearance.
So who is the favourite? I'll always weigh the home ice advantage team a little higher and this year is no different. That being said SJ has summoned something different than in past years and it helps that the two Joes are basically unstoppable right now. However the Blues are just as formidable with their depth through the roster.
What is most intriguing is that these are two teams that bucked the trend to dismantle or overhaul rosters that seemed to be incomplete with the core. There were changes made by both teams and that patience and learning curve has paid off with one of them going to the finals.
Like the Eastern final, it's a coin flip and the Blues won. They were a little ahead anyway before too.
James Tanner I don't know. Both teams are deep, well coached, have star players performing well and are on a roll.
I'll go with San Jose because that's whom I'm cheering for, but I also think it will go seven games.
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