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So we’re down to the final four, and both teams I cheer for are still in… and I still expect them to face each other in the final.

I haven’t made any published analysis and predictions in a long while, so here goes:

Western Conference: Detroit vs Dallas

Some say that Dallas has defeated the better teams and have the better goaltender; ergo, they are the favourites.

But Detroit learned by painful firsthand experience last year just how difficult it is to get through three successive physical, skilled teams in the Western Conference, when they fell off in the last half of the series against Anaheim after working through Calgary and San Jose. Dallas has a similar task this year: after knocking off defending champ Anaheim and then eking out a six game thriller against the Sharks, they now run into the Wings, who are fresh as a daisy after a sweep of the depleted Avalanche. Beating the better teams isn’t always an advantage. And that is especially the case, given the fact that the Stars required 3 1/2 overtimes in game six to dismiss San Jose.

It may be that Turco is a better netminder than Osgood (although his record against Detroit is pretty dismal), but it must not be forgotten that any series involving Detroit tilts the ice. Osgood doesn’t have to be as good as Turco; he just needs to be solid and make the saves at the critical times, which he has done admirably since taking over from Hasek in the first round. It says here that the Wings will outplay Dallas, and that guys like Holmstrom and Franzen (who is suddenly a rival to Malkin as the best second line center in the league) will be sufficiently in Turco’s face that he’ll give up goals.

Verdict: No surprise that I’m picking the Wings, but I’m going out on a bit of a limb and saying Detroit in five. Dallas is good at every position – but almost everything the Stars do well, the Wings do even better.

Eastern Conference: Pittsburgh vs Philadelphia

Philly had the Pens’ number during the regular season, but it’s well-established that those sorts of accomplishments mean little at playoff time (Pens also hadn’t won at MSG until the playoffs; and Montreal had a winning record against the Flyers).

The trouble that Philly faces is that Pittsburgh’s little-known defense has rapidly come of age, and there’s no disputing the incredible one-two punch at center (Crosby and Malkin; pick the order). Jordan Staal is ridiculously good as a third-line center; he’s a top-level penalty-killer, an excellent defensive forward, and to top it off, his line has the ability to provide offense, as well.

Truth be told, this young Pittsburgh team reminds me very much of the 1983 Edmonton Oilers: ridiculous one-two at center with Gretzky and Messier, solid secondary scoring, a mobile defense that was on the verge of emerging into stardom, and a young goaltender rapidly coming into his own. (You could even argue a parallel between Kurri on Gretzky’s wing with Hossa beside Crosby: two European natural goalscorers who play a two-way game.)

That young Oiler team was on the cusp of greatness and went to the finals, only losing to the skilled, experienced, three-time champion Islanders. It says here that this young Penguin team has a similar destiny. They will advance here, and go down to the semi-dynastic Wings in the final.

Verdict: Pittsburgh in 6.

This week we signed an agreement on an offer on Mom’s condo. It’s contingent upon a couple of things – the buyers have an agreement on their house, but the financing has to go through; in addition, the condo has to pass a brief inspection. We’ll know these issues by May 9 and 12, respectively.

Please pray that this will go through – it would be so nice to have this albatross gone, given condo fees, property tax, and interest on the line of credit.