Predators preying for first Stanley Cup in franchise history

Predators' goalie Pekka Rinne- flickr.com- Photo Taken by Robert Claypool

All around the United States, and Canada, people are tuning in to the hockey games this season. The popularity of hockey has risen, with the thrilling game series and underdogs winning at this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs. “The game has never been more popular, nor seemed so out of control,” Jim Litke of the Associated Press said in a recent column on MSN.com.

After crushing the Detroit Red Wings 4-1, the Nashville Predators seems like a legitimate contender to winning the NHL championship. Pekka Rinne, the goalie of the Predators, is undoubtedly playing his best game during the most important time of the season. During the first round, the goalie had stopped 35 or more shots from the Red Wings. Also stepping his game up is rookie Gabriel Bourque who scored three of the 13 goals scored by the team during the whole round. With these young talents, the Predators has an advantage of less chance of their players being fatigued.

For most of the round, the Red Wings had most of the possession of the puck, but the Predators came to win the series 4-1. The Predators take their opportunities and use them wisely. The Predators are also first in the whole league in power play percentage. Their next opponent is the Phoenix Coyotes. During their last meet, Predators beat the Coyotes 5-4. The Predators also have six more wins during the season compared to the Coyotes, outscoring them 13-9. The Predators should come in the series confident that they can win the the second round.

After beating the Coyotes, the Predators are likely to play the St. Louis Blues in the Conference Finals. The Predators managed to win Game three against the Red Wings with only 17 shots, and that's just spectacular. Although their Finals opponent seems unclear at the moment, the Predators seem to be on top of everything.It is likely that the Predators will win the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Although they have some disadvantages as a team such as lack of experience, it seems as they're ready to win a championship for the first time in franchise history. "Nashville's depth, balance and basic lack of weaknesses makes them my pick to win this year's Stanley Cup," said Timothy Rapp in a Bleacherreport.com article.

Boston Bruins, winner of the second Stanley Cup in a row

Thomas (left) and Seidenberg (right) - clydeorama - Flickr

Without a doubt, the Boston Bruins will win the 2012 Stanley Cup, becoming the first team after the Detroit Red Wings in 1998 to win two Stanley Cups in a row. With the veteran goalie Tim Thomas and defenseman Zdeno Chara, opposing teams will have difficulty scoring. While their defense is exceptional, their offense will have to improve on finishing their chances, if the Bruins are to win.

The Bruins goalie Thomas was a big factor in the Bruins win of the Stanley Cup last year, and likewise he will be this year. Paired with Chara, it will be tough for opposing teams to score. But we shouldn’t forgot other defenseman Dennis Seidenberg who will also be a big factor. "Zdeno is as good as you'll get as a defenseman, but when it comes to playoff time, Seids isn't that far behind him, if at all," Bruins coach Claude Julien said to ESPN.com.

The offense had great difficulty scoring in the fourth game against the Washington Capitals. With an impressive 45-21 shot advantage over the Capitals, only one of the 45 shots went in, while the Capitals scored two goals out of their 21 shots. "We had so many chances, we just didn't bury them, I think that's the story of today's game. Like I said, we could've had five goals on our line, but we didn't. That's how it is," said David Krejci to Chicagotribune.com.

Center Tyler Seguin had some good opportunities to score in game five against the Capitals, but had difficulty finishing them. But then he turned that around in game six. The game was tied after the third period, but just 3:17 in OT he burst forward, received a pass from Milan Lucic and won the game. He and the others in offense have to keep on doing that. "We need to see a young player like that gain some confidence if we're going to become a better team down the stretch," Julien said to ESPN.com.

This year the Bruins will have a tough time, on account that all teams are after them, considering they won last year. The difference is, this year they have the experience of winning the Cup. "The confidence you get from having won will be important. You can never underestimate the value of the experience. ... Having said all that, it's real tough to repeat so it's going to be a challenge," Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli said to Huffingtonpost.com.