Four teams will continue their season after a relatively short semifinal round. In the West, Detroit completed a seemingly easy sweep of Colorado, giving them much needed (or unwanted depending on who you talk to) rest. They will take on Dallas, who won the 8th longest game in NHL history against the San Jose Sharks on Sunday night to complete their six game series. As mentioned in the alliterative title, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia will meet for the first time ever in the Eastern Conference Finals, assuring Pennsylvania as a host of the Stanley Cup Finals. Pittsburgh, thanks mostly to stellar goaltending and deep offense, made quick work of the New York Rangers in five games. Philadelphia gained their ticket by upsetting the top seeded Montreal Canadiens, and preventing the Stanley Cup from coming to Canada for the 14th straight year.

The semifinals has given us some interesting matchups to chew on for the next couple of weeks. Colorado and Detroit have a chance to renew a sorely missed rivalry that has produced some of the baddest blood in sports. Pittsburgh is up against a seasoned New York team, leaving us to wonder if experience will once again be the Penguins’ downfall. Can Montreal keep up with the dominating physical presence of Philadelphia? Who will win the battle of the goaltenders between Dallas and San Jose. Below is my analysis and picks for the next round. I’m also including Fred Beery and Alan Shields’ picks to give you some perspective from other hockey fans.

With all that the NHL got wrong with their post-lockout schedule matrix, the all-divisional playoff push at the end of the season is genius. Right now we’re seeing incredible match ups and nail-biting points races to round out the season. It’s like a mini-playoffs! Here’s the teams you need to watch for the next couple weeks.