Quick NHL Playoff Picks Round 2

The NHL couldn't have asked for a better first round.  Four of the eight series went to a game seven with two of those games needing overtime to see a winner, creating what was one of the best opening rounds that I can remember.  Let's take a quick look at round two which begins tonight in Vancouver.


Here's a quick review of what I said would happen in round one:

Eastern Conference
(1) Washington Capitals vs (8) New York Rangers
I said: Capitals in seven
What happened: Capitals in five

(2) Philadelphia Flyers vs (7) Buffalo Sabres

I said: Flyers in six

What happened: Flyers in seven

(3) Boston Bruins vs (6) Montreal Canadiens

I said: Canadiens in seven

What happened: Bruins in seven

(4) Pittsburgh Penguins vs (5) Tampa Bay Lightning

I said: Lightning in five

What happened: Lightning in seven

Western Conference

(1) Vancouver Canucks vs (8) Chicago Blackhawks

I said: Canucks in seven

What happened: Canucks in seven

(2) San Jose Sharks vs (7) Los Angeles Kings

I said: Sharks in five

What happened: Sharks in six

(3) Detroit Red Wings vs (6) Phoenix Coyotes

I said: Coyotes in six

What happened: Red Wings in four

(4) Anaheim Ducks vs (5) Nashville Predators

I said: Predators in six

What happened: Predators in six

Round 2

Eastern Conference

(1) Washington Capitals over (5) Tampa Bay Lightning

So, Yzerman will send Stamkos a text or something to let him know the playoffs started, right?  No way can the Lightning win a series when one of their top 3 players is nowhere to be found.  The Lightning were also giving up way more shots (only under 30 allowed once - 29 in game six) than should be acceptable in the playoffs to a mediocre offense.  I was pretty high on the Lightning going into the playoffs but I can't see how they make things tough for the Capitals.  Caps in six.

(2) Philadelphia Flyers over (3) Boston Bruins

My reverse jinx attempt continues.  I think the Bruins have a way bigger edge in net and they'll try to play as physical as possible to wear down the Flyers, but the Bruins are coming off a series with their biggest rival that went seven games and saw four OT periods.  The Flyers also went seven games and played two OT periods so they still must be feeling exhausted but they didn't have the emotional stress of taking on a heated rival.  For both these teams I think this series is more of a continuation from what they went through in round one with the Flyers winning a game seven at home.  

Western Conference

(5) Nashville Predators over (1) Vancouver Canucks

Talk about being excited, I hope the city of Vancouver knows there's more to playoffs than one round.  What a crazy series the Canucks just fought through that saw their goalie benched and the team almost blow a three games to none series lead.  After seeing the team and city of Vancouver celebrate after that game seven win, I think they're in for a letdown in this series.  I thought Pekka Rinne would be the first round's standout goalie, but that wasn't the case at all.  I'm willing to bet on him one more time and say he leads the Predators to a win in 6 games while shutting down the Canucks who will come out sluggish and fall into a hole they can't climb out of.

(2) San Jose Sharks over (3) Detroit Red Wings

Talk about being wrong about a team.  I totally underestimated the Red Wings but I'll try not to do so again.  I think this is the best series of the second round and will go seven games with the Sharks coming out on top.  I still don't trust Howard to win a big series and now he gets one of the most dangerous offenses in the league, but I also have some concerns about Niemi.  It's tough to find a glaring problem with the skaters on either team so each game should be an all out war with whatever goalie happens to be better that night pulling out the win for their respective team.  These two teams have some great history and they should definitely add more to it this year.