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Matt Godbout & Norm Szcyrek provide their final predictions for the last two rounds of the NHL playoffs.

Norm’s predictions:

Pittsburgh vs Carolina: Pittsburgh in 6 games
The upstart Hurricanes have surprised many hockey pundits this season, but their roller coaster ride is going to come to a halt versus the Penguins. Pittsburgh’s talent will trump Carolina’s pluck this time.

Chicago vs Detroit:
The NHL’s midwestern classic should be a treat. Chicago’s playoff success has advanced many’s expectations of them. Their inexperience, should be their handicap, as the Red Wings boast an ample amount in that department. Look for Detroit to defeat Chicago and earn regional bragging rights.

Stanley Cup Final:

Detroit vs. Pittsburgh….Detroit in 7 games
Back to back Cups are rare, and back to back final matchups with the same two teams are even rarer. Look for no love lost, or holds barred, between these two teams, in what should be an NHL classic.

Matt Godbout:
Pens VS Canes…. Carolina in 6/7.

Every season there is a team that goes on an unexpected run. During this run, there are some pretty amazing things that happens to them or that they accomplish…. this year it would seem to be Carolina’s turn. A list of feats so far include 2 goals in 80 seconds vs the Devils, and Scott Walker scoring the winner in game 7 that he likely should have been suspended for, and Cam Ward’s return as a hero after suffering some terrible seasons (Sound familiar Price fans?). If this series was on talent
alone it would be over in 4 games for the Pens, but luckily for the Canes it’s not based on talent.

CHI vs DET…. DET in 6

I chose Anaheim in the last series and they were 3 mins and an illegal goal away from accomplishing the task. Even though detroit won I told all who would listen that the winner of the ANA/DET series would win the cup. My prediction stands and Detroit will win over the young upstart Hawks who will finally show their age. This is the time that experience comes into play and the Hawks seriously lack in that department.

Stanley Cup Final

Det vs Carolina… Det in 6/7.

Unless Cam Ward pulls off a performance for the ages, Detroit will use their experience and depth to put an end to the Canes miracle run. Goaltending could make it a close series but even Osgood as an average NHL goalie is enough for the Wings to pull it off and claim their second straight Stanley Cup (they were also the last team to repeat in the mid 90’s).