2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs Predictions: Conference Finals

Here are my predictions for the Conference Finals of the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Eastern Conference
(A2) Ottawa Senators vs (M2) Pittsburgh Penguins: This should be an interesting series and these teams hooked up in the second round four years ago. Ottawa is coming off a six game series win over the New York Rangers. Pittsburgh is coming off a seven game series win over the Washington Capitals. Eric Karlsson looks like the early favorite for the Conn Smythe Trophy, so it should be interesting to see if the Penguins defense led by Justin Schultz and Olli Maata can stop him. The more interesting question is if Karlsson and his defense partner Cody Ceci can stop the Pens lethal offense with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin leading the way. The goaltending in this series is just about even with Marc-Andre Fleury, who has been outstanding filling in for the injured Matt Murray and Craig Anderson, who has been solid for the most part in these playoffs with the exception of a few games in the Rangers series. Murray may return in this series, so that is something to keep an eye on although Fleury has been great. That said, the Pens will be too much for the Sens, who you can make a case that they should have lost to the Rangers in the last round or even the Boston Bruins in the first round.
Prediction: Penguins in five games.

Western Conference
(WC1) Nashville Predators vs (P1) Anaheim Ducks: This should be a very entertaining series and is a rematch of a first round series from a year ago. Nashville is coming off a great six game series win over the St. Louis Blues. Anaheim is coming off a great seven game series win over the upstart Edmonton Oilers. The goaltending for both teams has been excellent so far with Pekka Rinne for the Preds and John Gibson for the Ducks. Both teams also have great defenses as well with Cam Fowler, Hampus Lindholm, and Brandon Mountor for the Ducks and PK Subban, Roman Josi, and Ryan Ellis. The Ducks have a slim edge offensively with Ryan Getzlaf, Ryan Kssler, and Corey Perry leading the way, but the Preds offense is underrated with guys like Ryan Johansen, Filip Forsberg, and Viktor Arvidsson. The Preds are playing their best hockey right now, so I'll take them to go to their first Stanley Cup Final in franchise history in what should be a great series.
Prediction: Predators in six games.