Updated: May 24, 2006, 5:28 PM

Vote: NHL conference finals matchups


 Shawn Horcoff
Shawn Horcoff scored a triple-OT game-winner in the conference semifinals.
 
The NHL conference finals are upon us and few would have predicted this final four. Gone are the Red Wings, Stars, Senators and Devils, and in their place are the Hurricanes, Mighty Ducks, Oilers and Sabres.

All four are fast-skating teams with the ability to take advantage of the new NHL rules. Edmonton ousted Presidents' Trophy-winning Detroit in the first round in the Western Conference before dispatching San Jose in the second round, while Anaheim endured a goalie change and went seven games with Calgary before making easy work of Colorado in Round 2.

Back east, Carolina also switched netminders on its way to series wins over Montreal and New Jersey. Buffalo, on the other hand, has ridden hot rookie goalie Ryan Miller past Philadelphia and top-seeded Ottawa and into the conference finals.

Which team is the biggest surprise? Which goalie and skater mean the most to their teams? And who is bound for the Stanley Cup finals? Answer below and compare your votes to the rest of SportsNation!

  • 1) Which team is the most surprising conference finalist?
  • 2) Which goalie is most important to his team advancing to the Stanley Cup finals?
  • 3) Which skater is most important to his team advancing to the Stanley Cup finals?
  • 4) (8) Edmonton vs. (6) Anaheim: Who wins?
  • 5) (4) Buffalo vs. (2) Carolina: Who wins?
  • 6) Which team will win the Stanley Cup?

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