I went 5-3 in the 1st round of the playoffs. I predicted Caps, Bruins, Flyers and Lightning coming out of the East and only the Sharks coming out of the West. I hope to improve on my winning percentage this round.
(1) WSH vs. (5) TB
This series might just be the best of the second round. Strong goaltending from Roloson in the 1st round gave the Lightning the series over the Penguins. Crosby and Malkin were both out for the Penguins, which was the basis of me picking Tbay over Pits. When you have your top clutch players out, its hard to win.
Washington seems to be a much different team this year. They let in the fewest goals in the 1st round, and its a mixture of solid goaltending and strong defensive play. I like this Defence 1st type of team that the Caps have become, and I think its going to take them far. Look for Ovechkin to step up this series. Pick: Caps in 6 Standout Player: Ovechkin
(1) VAN vs. (5) NAS
Vancouver blew a 3 games to none lead in the 1st round to the defending champs. A lot of hockey experts say that the team is pretty clutch, and Luongo has finally proved himself to come up big when it matters. I call bullshit to that. Luongo and this clutch team couldn't win games 4 or 5, as well they couldn't find a way to win a close game in game 6 either. This team has proved nothing yet, it was only the 1st round.
Nashville played well in the 1st round. They won a playoff series for the 1st time in their franchise history, and they deserve a congratulations. The round is over and now its time for them to step up, and show them that they WON the 1st series, and that it wasn't Anaheim losing it. Rinne is up for the Vezina trophy and this team needs him to be as sharp as ever. Vancouver might be on empty after that 1st round. Pick: Preds in 7, Standout Player: Fisher
(2) PHI vs. (3) BOS
Boston polished off les Candiens in the 1st round, winning 3 games in overtime. Being able to win close games like that, is great for a Boston team that could still be fragile. You got to think though, that the series win against rivals Montreal, will only help the Bruins confidence. Need a huge series from Chara and Thomas.
Philadelphia baffles me how they cycle through their goaltending in a series and still have better performances than Ryan Miller. The last time these two teams met in the playoffs, last year, the Flyers came back from a 3-0 series deficit to take the series. Also, in game 7, Philly was down 3-0 in that game, came back to win it 4-3. This series is going to be a rough one, that's for sure. Pick: Philly in 7, Standout Player: Briere
(2) SJ vs. (3) DET
The wings swept away the poor Coyotes in the 1st round, and have had a week off to heal up their banged up players. The Wing know what they have to do, they have been here and they have done this before. Cleary and Franzen are going to have a big series. You can always count on Pavel Datsyuk. They should also get Zetterberg back soon too.
San Jose showed a relentless effort in the 1st round, especially in game 3 where they came back from a 4 goal deficit to win the game 6-5 in OT. Both Marleau and Thornton had a good series in the 1st round, look for them to carry it on into the second round. Ian White is a key player in this series. I like the forwards of the wings better in this series though. Pick: Wings in 6, Standout Player: Datsyuk
