Before each round of the NHL Playoffs, Scott Cullen crunches a few numbers and comes up with an expected goals for and against for each team, based on shot differentials and save percentages to this point in the season. In the first round, the team with the higher expected goals, using these calculations, won seven of the eight series, with the Los Angeles Kings win over the St. Louis Blues upsetting the bid for perfection. Round Two brought middle of the road results, 2-2, with Jonathan Quick leading the L.A. Kings to exceed expectations and the Pittsburgh Penguins tearing through Ottawas top-ranked goaltending. The Conference Finals played true to form, however, with Boston and Chicago both winning and, while it might have been a surprise at how easily they advanced, both were clear favourites by these calculations. Since Im the first one to emphasize that overall statistics (or standings) are not necessarily representative of the current value for a team, especially with respect to injuries, these statistics merely provide a baseline for the series, perhaps providing an idea what a team needs to do in order to emerge victorious. In some cases, teams will simply need to keep doing what theyve been doing throughout the regular season; in others, they might need better goaltending, or fewer shots against, or more shots for -- just something -- to provide better expected results in a seven-game series. The calculations below are simple and the expected goals for each team in the series are determined by taking each teams shots for and against over the course of the season and splitting the difference. So, Chicago has 31.4 shots on goal per game through the regular season and three rounds of the playoffs and Boston has allowed 29.7 shots on goal per game; the average of those two numbers is 30.6 shots, so thats the number that is then multiplied by (1 - the opposing goaltenders save percentage) to determine an expected goals per game. Finally, the number is multiplied by seven to indicate an expected goal total for a seven-game series. Theres no guarantee that scoring more goals in a series will result in winning four games first, but the odds certainly favour the team that scores more. Team SF SA Goaltender SV% Expected GF/Series Boston 33.4 29.7 Tuukka Rask 0.934 14.93 Chicago 31.4 26.7 Corey Crawford 0.929 14.11 Verdict: This is an even matchup, with a slight edge going to Boston because of Rask. Its not that Crawford hasnt played well for Chicago -- he obviously has -- but Rasks .943 save percentage in the postseason trumps Crawfords .935 and Rask also held an advantage in the regular season (.929 to .926) so there is some reason to believe that Rask may turn aside a few more shots. If the difference is about five goals per 1000 shots and a seven-game series might yield approximately 200 shots, then the goaltending difference is only going to be worth about a goal. By no means is that decisive, rather its reason for a slightly more favourable forecast. (Worth noting that the Blackhawks are -140 to -150 favourites to win the series, depending on the site.) While were looking at percentages, its also worth considering that, in a short series, players may exceed (or fail to meet) their established performance levels. Blackhawks LW Bryan Bickell has been one of the exceptional ones, scoring on 22.9% of his shots in the playoffs, while Bruins RW Nathan Horton (22.9%) and C David Krejci (21.6%) are both over 20% as well. Eventually, regression catches up to that kind of shooting, but it could still hang on through one more series; such is the magic of small sample size. On the other end of the spectrum, Blackhawks C Jonathan Toews has one goal on 51 shots (2.0%) and LW Brandon Saad has none on 35 shots, so theyre due for better results. Bruins RW Jaromir Jagr is still seeking his first goal, despite 45 shots in the playoffs, and RW Tyler Seguin has one goal on 54 shots (1.9%), so those numbers wouldnt last over the long haul. If any of these players actually start scoring, that would figure to improve their respective teams odds of success. These are two of the top four possession teams, in both regular season and playoffs, so its not like either one relies on their goaltender or special teams to an unreasonable degree. While neither team has been great on the power play in the playoffs (15.6% for Boston, 13.7% for Chicago) the Blackhawks have had the leagues best penalty killing in the playoffs (94.8%), while Bostons 86.5% has been strong, just not the best. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy Sports on Facebook. Air Max 97 Wholesale China . Pettersen, winner of last years Evian Championships, had nine birdies and three bogeys, holding off a series of challengers led by Marion Ricordeau of France. The second-ranked Norwegian made her season debut after missing the LPGA Tours opening event last month in the Bahamas because of a shoulder injury. Cheap Air Max 95 Free Shipping . Toronto has dropped games to Indiana and Miami since a five-game winning streak and closed out a three-game road trip at 1-2. http://www.wholesalenikeshoesclearance.com/cheap-max-97-shoes/fake-air-max-97-plus.html . 31, the CFL club announced Monday. The team also has yet to decide on the future of Doug Berry, who began the season as a consultant to the head coach but took over the offensive co-ordinators duties in July. Cheap Kobe Shoes For Sale .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Cheap Lebrons From China . The Brazilian goalkeeper signed a loan deal with the Major League Soccer club on Friday as he looks to get playing time ahead of this summers World Cup in his home country.Former NFL wide receiver Torry Holt believes the Super Bowl could be staged in London within the next 10 years. Super Bowl LIVE! Countdown to the big game Holt, a key part of the St Louis Rams Greatest Show on Turf team who set offensive records between 1999 and 2001, believes showpiece games such as the Super Bowl and Pro Bowl would be a more natural expansion of the NFLs international project than the creation of a London franchise. The 39-year-old is in London to promote the league ahead of Sundays Super Bowl between the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos, live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Sunday at 10pm, as well as the relocated Los Angeles Rams Twickenham date with the New York Giants in October. A Super Bowl could be played here, I think, because of how the fan-base is just growing so rapidly. Torry Holt The success of the annual London games has led to growing talk of a permanent UK-based team but Holt told Press Association Sport: I dont foresee a team here in London, I think the International Series works well.I think about the travel, going back from London to the States, I think that would be taxing on tthe team in London and it would be even more taxing on the teams in the States.ddddddddddddPotentially a Pro Bowl could be played here, and potentially a Super Bowl could be played here, I think, because of how the fan-base is just growing so rapidly. New York Jets played Miami Dolphins in London earlier this season Taking Americas highest-profile sporting event beyond US shores would be a seismic move but such is Holts enthusiasm, he is in no mood to wait.He added: If I had a say, I would say probably within the next 10 years, maybe.For years, we played the Pro Bowl in Hawaii, last year they played in Arizona so Im sure the league will throw (the idea) around. I dont know whether theyll say yes on it - it may have already come up.I think this would be an outstanding place to potentially host a Pro Bowl.If you look at the International Series, you guys sell out the stadiums immediately, I think it would be the same results for the Pro Bowl too.Tell us what you think. Will there ever be a Super Bowl in London? Or should there be an NFL team in London? Have your say in the comments section below..; Also See: Super Bowl 50 countdown LIVE! Ten memorable Super Bowls 10 stars not called Peyton or Cam How to watch Super Bowl 50 ' ' '