Tampa Bay had the second-best record in the NHL during the regular season. It is no surprise therefore that they will be representing their conference in the Stanley Cup Finals this year. The Calgary Flames, however, were merely the 6th-seed in the Western Conference. They have vastly exceeded expectations thus far, and surely don't want to stop doing so now.
Tampa Bay is led by Dave Andreychuk, Martin St. Louis, and Vincent Lecavalier. The awesome Nikolai Khabibulin is their number-one goaltender. Tampa Bay has home-ice advantage in this series.
Calgary is led by Martin Gelinas, Jarome Iginla, and Craig Conroy. Their starting goalie, Miikka Kiprusoff, has been superb so far in the playoffs. Calgary's manic fans give them a huge advantage when they play at home.
WHO WILL WIN?
It's hard to say. Tampa Bay should win, on paper. But on paper, Calgary should have been beaten in every series they've played this playoff season. My best guess: Calgary rides a wave of emotion and great net-minding to victory in six games.
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