2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview - Conference Finals

And then there were 4! After an exciting second round the Stanley Cup Playoffs is down to just 4 teams, with the Pittsburgh Penguins facing the Ottawa Senators in the Eastern Conference Finals and the Anaheim Ducks squaring off with the Nashville Predators in the Western Conference Finals. Here's a look at the Conference Finals and who I think will be competing for Lord Stanley in 2017:

Playoff Matchups to Date:

Eastern Conference:
#1 Washington Capitals defeat WC #2 Toronto Maple Leafs (4-2)
#2 Pittsburgh Penguins defeat #3 Columbus Blue Jackets (4-1)
WC #1 New York Rangers defeat #1 Montreal Canadiens (4-2)
#2 Ottawa Senators defeat #3 Boston Bruins (4-2)

#2 Pittsburgh Penguins defeat #1 Washington Capitals (4-3)
#2 Ottawa Senators defeat WC #1 New York Rangers (4-2)

Western Conference:
WC #2 Nashville Predators defeat #1 Chicago Blackhawks (4-0)
#3 St. Louis Blues defeat #2 Minnesota Wild (4-1)
#1 Anaheim Ducks defeat WC #1 Calgary Flames (4-0)
#2 Edmonton Oilers defeat #3 San Jose Sharks (4-2)

#1 Anaheim Ducks defeat #2 Edmonton Oilers (4-3)
WC #2 Nashville Predators defeat #3 St. Louis Blues (4-2)

Prince of Wales Trophy awarded to the Eastern Conference Champion

#2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #2 Ottawa Senators

Season Series: Ottawa won the season series 2-1-0

December 5, 2016: Pittsburgh Penguins 8, Ottawa Senators 5
January 12, 2017: Ottawa Senators 4, Pittsburgh Penguins 1
March 23, 2017: Ottawa Senators 2, Pittsburgh Penguins 1 (SO)

Players to Watch:

Pittsburgh: Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Marc-Andre Fleury, Phil Kessel, Jake Guentzel, Justin Schultz

Ottawa: Erik Karlsson, Craig Anderson, Mike Hoffman, Mark Stone, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Bobby Ryan

X-Factor:

Pittsburgh: Sidney Crosby

Ottawa: Erik Karlsson

Playoff Leaders:

Goals: Jake Guentzel (PIT) - 9, Jean-Gabriel Pageau (OTT) - 7
Assists: Evgeni Malkin (PIT) - 13, Erik Karlsson (OTT) - 11
Points: Evgeni Malkin (PIT) - 18, Erik Karlsson (OTT) - 13
Wins: Marc-Andre Fleury (PIT) - 8, Craig Anderson (OTT) - 8
Goals Against Average: Craig Anderson (OTT) - 2.49, Marc-Andre Fleury (PIT) - 2.55
Save Percentage: Marc-Andre Fleury (PIT) - .927%, Craig Anderson (OTT) - .914%

OT Goals: Jake Guentzel (PIT) - 1, Dion Phaneuf/Bobby Ryan/Clarke MacArthur/Jean-Gabriel Pageau/Kyle Turris (OTT)

Prediction: The Senators have been the biggest surprise in the NHL playoffs so far, don't think many people (including myself) gave them a chance to get this far. With that being said, the way the defending champs are playing right now it's hard to see them losing. The Penguins will set out to be the 1st back-to-back Champions since Detroit in 1997/98.

(PENGUINS IN 6)

Clarence S. Campbell Bowl awarded to the Western Conference Champion

#1 Anaheim Ducks vs. WC #2 Nashville Predators

Season Series: Anaheim won the season series 2-1-0

October 26, 2016: Anaheim Ducks 6, Nashville Predators 1
November 12, 2016: Nashville Predators 5, Anaheim Ducks 0
March 7 2017: Anaheim Ducks 4, Nashville Predators 3 (SO)

Players to Watch:

Anaheim: Ryan Getzlaf, Rickard Rakell, Ryan Kesler, Corey Perry, John Gibson, Jakob Silfverberg

Nashville: Pekka Rinne, PK Subban, Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen, Ryan Ellis, Roman Josi

X-Factor:

Anaheim: Ryan Getzlaf

Nashville: Pekka Rinne

Playoff Leaders:

Goals: Ryan Getzlaf (ANA) - 8, Ryan Ellis/Roman Josi (NSH) - 4
Assists: Ryan Getzlaf/Corey Perry  (ANA) - 7, Ryan Johansen (NSH) - 7
Points: Ryan Getzlaf (ANA) - 15, Ryan Ellis/Ryan Johansen (NSH) - 9
Wins: Pekka Rinne (NSH) - 8, John Gibson (ANA) - 7
Goals Against Average: Pekka Rinne (NSH) - 1.37, John Gibson (ANA) - 2.80
Save Percentage: Pekka Rinne (NSH) - .951%, John Gibson (ANA) - .908%

OT Goals: Corey Perry - 2, Jakob Silfvergberg - 1 (ANA), Kevin Fiala - 1 (NSH)

Prediction: This has the making of a fantastic Western Conference Finals, the Ducks haven't been to the Stanley Cup since 2007 and the Predators have never been before. While I think this series could go either way, I like the way Ryan Getzlaf and the Ducks are playing right now and have them just edging out the Predators and advancing to the Stanley Cup Final.

(DUCKS IN 7)

This would have the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals as:

#1 Anaheim Ducks (Western Conference Champion) vs. #2 Pittsburgh Penguins (Eastern Conference Champion)

Conn Smythe Trophy Watch:

1. Erik Karlsson - 2 goals/13 points

2. Marc-Andre Fleury - 8 wins/1 shutout/2.55 GAA/927 Save %/3 Assists

3. Pekka Rinne - 8 wins/2 shutouts/1.37 GAA/951 Save % 

4. Ryan Getzlaf - 8 goals/15 points

5. Evgeni Malkin - 5 goals/18 points

6. Jakob Silfverberg - 7 goals/11 points/OT Goal

7. Sidney Crosby - 4 goals/14 points

8. Craig Anderson - 8 wins/1 shutout/2.49 GAA/914 Save %/1 Assist

9. Jake Guentzel - 9 goals/14 points/OT Goal

10. Ryan Ellis - 4 goals/9 points 

Joel Forman