[jg2977]

East: 2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. 1) Hartford Whalers
Hurricanes 6 at Whalers 4
Hurricanes 5 at Whalers 2 (10)
Whalers 4 at Hurricanes 3 (9)
Whalers 7 at Hurricanes 1
Hurricanes 4 at Whalers 5 (11)
Whalers 8 at Hurricanes 5
Hartford Whalers win series 4-2


West: 5) Detroit Red Wings vs. 2) Chicago Blackhawks
Red Wings 10 at Blackhawks 12
Red Wings 7 at Blackhawks 6
Blackhawks 9 at Red Wings 0
Blackhawks 6 at Red Wings 4
Red Wings 1 at Blackhawks 7
Chicago Blackhawks win series 4-1


What a year it has been for the Hartford Whalers. What was thought to be impossible a mere two years ago has now become a reality. They have won the Eastern Conference and have made it to the Stanley Cup Finals. It didn't look to promising when they dropped the first two games to the Hurricanes at home, but they won four in a row to clinch the conference crown. This is the franchise's 2nd trip to the Finals, when they made it in 1911 as the Thrashers, but lost to the Anaheim Ducks. The Whalers will face the Chicago Blackhawks, who are in the Finals for the 3rd straight year. The Hawks look unbeatable right now, cruising through the Western Conference bracket with a 12-2 record, and they appear to be poised to repeat as champs and capture their 3rd Stanley Cup.

As much as I'm rooting for the Whalers, I think that the Blackhawks will take the series in six games.