The Stanley Cup.

The National Hockey League (NHL) Conference Finals are now set.

There are now only four teams left playing for the right to play for the Stanley Cup.  Games start on May 12th, 2017.

Let’s look at the match-ups.

In the Eastern Conference, the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Ottawa Senators.  Pittsburgh beat the Columbus Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals to reach the Conference Finals, while Ottawa had to battle past two original six teams in the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers.  This is the fifth postseason match-up between the two teams.  Ottawa won their first match-up in 2007 while Pittsburgh won the next three meetings.  Ottawa won two of the three regular season match-ups this year.

Look for Pittsburgh to win in seven games.

In the Western Conference, the Anaheim Ducks host the Nashville Predators.  Nashville beat the Chicago Blackhawks and the St. Louis Blues to make it to the Conference Finals, while Anaheim had to beat out two Canadian teams in the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers.  This is the second consecutive postseason match-up for the two teams and third overall.  Nashville won both those series.  This is Anaheim’s second appearance in the Conference Finals in the last three seasons, while this is Nashville’s first appearance in the Conference Finals in their 19 year history.  Anaheim won two of the regular season match-ups this year.

Look for Anaheim to win in six games.

In the last round, my predictions went 1-3, with only the Pittsburgh Penguins winning their series.  That puts my record at 5-7 for the postseason this year.  Let’s see what happens.