well it is the two best teams remaining after all.
I think the league knows the winner of the west is going all the way baby. That's right I said it.
Sorry you got the #1 and #2 seed from the admitted stronger conference going up against either the 6th or 8th seed. amost analysis admitted the west as a whole was the stronger conference. Combine that with the 1 playing the 2 and the size and skill of both teams and it is unlikely the Easts teams will win. To me the Easts best chance is the flyers. I think the Habs will literaly be beaten into submission by either Western team, the B's are to hot and cold to win, the Flyers are the only team remaining that could take and return the big physical style the west will bring.
That said I think the Hawks will take the west. With big fuglyin playing the holmstrom role combined with the skill and physicality of the team and I think over 7 the Hawks will win. Maybe less if sluefoots are involved.