The 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs are moving along quickly and the Western Conference is all set. It’s down to the Chicago Wolves and the Toronto Marlies. Which team will advance to the Calder Cup finals? Here’s a preview of the Western Conference finals.

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

Chicago Wolves vs. Toronto Marlies

Chicago’s Playoff Record: 8-5
Toronto’s Playoff Record: 8-6

Keys to the series: The Chicago Wolves survived a close scare at the hands of the Rockford IceHogs in the division finals, but escaped with a 4-3 series win. Jason Krog has been the Wolves leading producer and is tied for first in playoff scoring with 17 points. Darren Haydar and Joel Kwiatkowski each have ten points for Chicago. Ondrej Pavelec’s play in the playoffs has been a rocky one. He might have won eight games, but has lost five games as well; that is second most of the four teams remaining.

Toronto narrowly escaped their second straight series as the Syracuse Crunch took the Marlies to seven games. Toronto was down 3-1 to Syracuse, but they rallied with three straight wins to clinch the series. Kris Newbury and David Ling are leading the Marlies in scoring with 12 points apiece. Jay Harrison is a close second with 11 points. Scott Clemmensen has started all of Toronto’s playoff games and is tied for the lead with eight wins. His goals against average of 2.74 is on the high side for playoff hockey.

Chicago is going to have to use the talent on the power play to exploit the poor penalty killing the Marlies have shown so far in the playoffs. The Marlies have allowed the most power play goals of any team in the playoffs with 14. Goaltending is going to be a major concern for both teams. Both goalies have been shaky in the playoffs and both have given up quite a few goals in one game. Chicago has the edge in offense, Toronto holds the edge on defense, and goaltending is even.

Series Schedule

Game 1: Marlies @ Wolves, May 16 8:30 pm
Game 2: Marlies @ Wolves, May 18 4 pm
Game 3: Wolves @ Marlies, May 20 7:30 pm
Game 4: Wolves @ Marlies, May 21 7:30 pm
*Game 5: Marlies @ Wolves, May 23 8:30 pm
*Game 6: Wolves @ Marlies, May 25 4 pm
*Game 7: Marlies @ Wolves, May 27 8 pm
* - if necessary

Prediction: Chicago in six