Yeah, early, but still cool
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=5947 ... L|NHL|homeCOREY MASISAK
Buffalo Sabres
Why they win: While I think the Washington Capitals will cruise to the No. 1 seed in the conference for the third straight season and probably collect another Presidents' Trophy, it says here that the Buffalo Sabres will claim the Prince of Wales Trophy for the second time in the Lindy Ruff Era. Buffalo may lack the world-class talent at forward that other teams in the East possess, but Derek Roy is healthy again and Ville Leino adds depth. The strength of this team will be goal prevention. Ryan Miller will have a Vezina Trophy-quality season now that he has Robyn Regehr and Christian Ehrhoff leading a revamped defense corps.
** Wrong turn: The Sabres will rely on three similarly-skilled forward lines to create scoring depth, but another injury to Derek Roy or inconsistent play from Thomas Vanek -- the two players with elite talent up front -- could be too much for Miller and the improved defense to overcome.
Los Angeles Kings
Why they win: The Los Angeles Kings have been close to being an elite team in the Western Conference, and the addition of Mike Richards and Simon Gagne up front will prove to be the difference when they collect a Pacific Division crown and defeat the Anaheim Ducks in a surprise conference final that will take the Southern California rivalry to a new level. Drew Doughty will challenge for the Norris Trophy again, and the two Jonathan's in net (Quick and Bernier) will prove to be a potent 1-2 punch. Richards, Anze Kopitar and Jarrett Stoll will be the closest thing the West has seen to replicating the success of Pittsburgh's big three in the middle.
** Wrong turn: The Kings have assembled one of the most talented rosters in the West, but there are some question marks: Can Simon Gagne stay healthy? Can unproven playoff performers like Dustin Penner and even Quick prove they are capable of helping Los Angeles deep into the postseason? If not, it could mean another early exit.
Kings, 6 games
While the conference finals will start with people talking about the 1993 Cup Final that wasn't between Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, the Sabres will best the Pittsburgh Penguins and face the Kings, ensuring a city will claim the Cup for the first time. In a matchup similar to last season, Ryan Miller and a sturdy defense will try to defeat a team with many talented forwards -- just as Tim Thomas did with the Boston Bruins against the Canucks. Miller will steal a couple of games, but the series will turn on a Dustin Brown overtime goal in Game 5 at First Niagara Center -- not far from home for the Rochester, N.Y., native -- and Los Angeles will collect the Cup at Staples Center in Game 6.
Anze Kopitar, Kings
There will be a serious push to give the award to Miller, who could have a postseason approaching what Thomas did last season. Doughty also will be a deserving candidate, but it is hard for a defenseman to win that award. Kopitar, fresh off his first 100-point season, will cement his place among the great young players in the League by winning the Conn Smythe. Kopitar's day with the Cup in Slovenia will be an emotional one, and the Kings will have Los Angeles buzzing about hockey in a way that hasn't been seen since The Great One arrived more than two decades ago.
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So he is saying that it'll be the Sabres and King in the finals, interesting pairing. 
I do love his optimism about the Sabres. I guess we'll get a little preview of the finals tomorrow afternoon
I like that one better. 
