Game 7 Extravaganza

The Chicago Blackhawks may have finished their opponent off in Game 6, but for the three other teams with 3-2 series leads, it was not as easy.

Give credit to the higher seeds, Washington and Boston, who came through with big efforts on the road to send it to a Game 7 at their respective homes. Anaheim sent the series back to Detroit with a win as well. This makes some more sense, considering the Ducks were at home, but you still thought the defending champions could have closed it out on the road. Yet, Anaheim goalie Jonas Hiller stepped up again and helped shut down the mighty Wings.

So, we have three Game 7's to watch and enjoy. If you're Chicago, does it really matter who you play? Probably not, but a conference final against the Detroit Red Wings does not sound too bad. Plus, even though they're the two-seed and Anaheim is the eight-seed, I still may rather play the Red Wings. Not only is it the rivalry, but if you look at the postseason, the Ducks are probably playing the better hockey.

Would you rather play a team that knocked off the number-one seed and has taken the two-seed to seven games?...or would you rather play a team that had to struggle through a series with the eight-seed. I take the latter because those pesky Ducks were also the hottest team going into the postseason, while the Red Wings have goalie problems and could be beaten by the Hawks. Yet, Chicago could beat Anaheim also, so just sit back and relax when watching Game 7 on Thursday.

As for the Eastern Conference, the Capitals and Penguins meet in Game 7 tonight in our nation's capital. Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby and Washington's Alexander Ovechkin have battled to make this a series for the ages, and what better than a Game 7 pitting these young stars against each other.

On Thursday, Boston and Carolina meet in what should be a Bruins' win. The Hurricanes had their chance, up 3 games to 1. They had Game 6 at home and could not take advantage. I give this series to the top-seeded Bruins.

It should be a whole lot of fun the next two days, and this is what playoff hockey is all about.