No. 3 seed in the East Bruins def. Canadiens 4-3, Flyers 4-0, Lightning 4-3
No. 1 seed in the West Canucks def. Blackhawks 4-3, Predators 4-2, Sharks 4-1.
Canucks D Kevin Bieksa.
Bieksa broke into the league in the first season after the lockout year and has been a workhorse almost from the start. His series-ending goal against San Jose came after a fluke bounce, but he should have been drawing more attention all along.
Story line.
The Western Conference is stronger. Not only were the Canucks the best there in the regular season, they had the best record in the league — which given the history of Presidents’ Trophy winners is a mixed endorsement. But they also had one of those inevitable moments NHL champions seem to have, when they staved off embarrassing elimination with an overtime victory in Game 7 after blowing a 3-0 series lead against the Blackhawks. And now they’re playing well. Unless Roberto Luongo falls apart, and Tim Thomas is a brick wall (and that’s possible), the Canucks are a lock.
The Post’s pick.
Canucks in four
Bruins vs. Canucks
All games 6 p.m. MDT
KUSA-9 (Games 3-4 VS.)
Wednesday: At Vancouver
Saturday: At Vancouver
Monday: At Boston
June 8: At Boston
June 10: At Vancouver*
June 13: At Boston*
June 15: At Vancouver*
* – if necessary
