Second Round Playoff Predictions!

   2nd round here we come! After a great first round that saw a bit of everything, we journey further down the road into the second round of the playoffs. Here are my predictions for the second round of the playoffs. We'll start out west.

1-Chicago BlackHawks

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7-Detroit RedWings

   The Wings are a storied and proud organization, and too good of a team to roll over and die. Even if they lose in 4 straight, expect them to come hard. They're a team with injuries up the ying-yang on defense, but they have veteran forwards who are playing at the top of their game. The RedWings always have a chance when Henrik Zetterberg, and Pavel Datsyuk are on top of their game. If those two, along with Cleary, Abdelkader, Franzen, and Filppula play well, with some great goal-tending from Jimmy Howard, the Wings may just have a chance. 

  The BlackHawks made pretty quick work of the Minnesota Wild, a tough team in their own right. They have so many weapons to use; Hossa, Toews, Kane, Sharp, Keith, Seabrook, need I go on? They definitely have the depth advantage over the Wings. The only category the Wings have an advantage is in the goal-tending, but with Chicago's defense, that shouldn't be a problem for them. 

Prediction: Both team's are tough, and in the playoffs anything can happen. But the Hawks are rested up, the Wings are coming off a tough series against the Ducks. I have to go BlackHawks in 6. 

5-Los Angeles Kings

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6-San Jose Sharks

   The Kings look like they have their 2012 SWAG back. But, the Sharks won't bow to them. The Kings have it all, good D, depth at forward, an all-start goaltender, and a will to win which makes for a good playoff team. They have a solid chance in this series, but it won't be easy for them. 

   Let's just say something here... the Sharks were the most dominant team in the first round. They made a good Canucks team look like children. The Sharks, like the Kings have it all; a solid top line, and depth at all positions. Logan Coture is emerging as a top player in both ends of the ice. This will likely be an entertaining series. If Antti Niemi can go save for save with Johnny Quick, the ice may just slant in the Sharks favor. Only time will tell. 

Prediction: These teams are so evenly matched that it's a tough one to call. I really think if Niemi can play as good if not better than Quick, the Sharks will have a really good chance. I would have to say that LA has the slight edge because they were here just a year ago. Tough choice, Kings in 7.

And now we'll go out east. 

1-Pittsburgh Penguins

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7-Ottawa Senators

   Me thinks the Penguins at a slice or two of "humble pie" in that first round series. It didn't seem there was any doubt they would win the series, but the Islanders gave everything they got. The Penguins looked good, they scored tons of goals, but they also gave up quite a few as well. Vokoun has taken over the goal-tending duties, and seems like he might lock it down. They'll need to jump on a pesky sens team quickly in order to play ahead, instead of playing behind, a bad strategy when playing the Sens. 

   The Pesky Sens have done it again. Spezza is practicing but they say he's far from returning. They'll need to play lock-down defense to try and shut down the offensive Juggernaut known as the Penguins. Their best players will need to be there best players, and Craig Anderson will have to stand on his head. 

Prediction: The Sens have been resilient this year. During the course of the regular season, they lost their best d-man, best forward, and starting goaltender but still managed to get into the playoffs and bully the Habs out of the first round. They've climbed a lot of mountains to get themselves into this position, but this mountain hasn't peaked yet. Pens in 6.

4-Boston Bruins
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6-New York Rangers
    Boston was given a big run for their money by the Toronto Maple Leafs, but they found a way to win. This is a very interesting series. Both teams have depth at every position, as well as all-star goaltenders. The Bruins are a bit grittier than the Rangers, but the Rangers can turn on the physical game as well. This one may come down to the Bruins top players outplaying the Rangers top players. If Krejci, Bergeron, Chara, Seguin, etc outplay the Rangers best players, they'll have a good chance.
    The Rangers got some good performances from their secondary players in the first round, and it's indisputable that they were the reason that they got into the second round. Rick Nash and Brad Richards were ghosts in the first round registering no goals and just 3 points between the two of them in the entire series. In order for the Rangers to match the depth of the Bruins those two will have to show up and play their A game. 

Prediction: At the beginning of all this, I picked the Rangers to play the Pens in the East Final. I still hold that prediction. I don't think Brad Richards and Rick Nash will be as useless as they were in the first round. Both team's are coming off two hard fought 7 game series a piece. I give the edge on D to the Rangers, and a slight (very very slight) goal-tending edge to them as well. Rangers top guys vs Bruins top guys, whoever plays better may just take the series. Rangers in 7.

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