So The Second Round Is Here....Who Will Win?

Written by Chris Wassel | 29 April 2010

For some reason last year, the series predictions got better as the playoffs went on.  We will see what that does for us this year.  After going an abysmal 4-4 in Round 1, it is now time to try our luck at Round 2.  I think its high time we have some fun, drink some beers, and dive into the second round.

Because after all, it could not go much worse than Round 1 did.  If you listened to our podcast last night, you may have a hint or three as to where I am going with some of these picks.  Then again, maybe not.

Eastern Conference

4. Pittsburgh Penguins VS. 8. Montreal Canadiens

This shapes up to be almost like the Washington series but Pittsburgh has a little more defensive fortitude and they are the defending Stanley Cup Champions.  Can Jaroslav Halak do it again.  He stopped 130+ shots in the last 3 games of the Capitals series and probably wants to play Game 1 right now.  Though he made some of the most insane saves you will ever see, he never saw all that much traffic until patches of last night's Game 7.  Pittsburgh will have Crosby in his face throughout but I think the Pens may have more to worry about with their goalie, Marc-Andre Fleury.  He looked very shaky in the six game win over Ottawa and honestly almost lost that series for Pittsburgh.  The key to the series is the Pens Power Play.  If it plays like it did against Ottawa then all signs are good.  If not, there are major red flags going up.  I see major flags going up here.  Pittsburgh is a team that could get caught by a team that knows how to play them.

Prediction:  Habs in 7

6. Boston Bruins VS. 7. Philadelphia Flyers

Get the medikits out as referee Brad Watson will have a field day sending players to the box in this one.  The Flyers are beset by injuries and Brian Boucher is running into a goalie that is hotter than him in Tuukka Rask but the Flyers do have game especially in being able to slug out a 5 game series win over the New Jersey Devils.  Boston will not fold under Philly's relentless play and hitting before, during, and after the whistle.  Boston has long last found its Power Play and some are kind of harkening back that the Bruins could be a lot like the 1995 New Jersey Devils where they meandered all year and then got it together in the playoffs.  Also the road here is a little less full of potholes.  Boston has home ice which I do think makes a diffrerence.  While Philly is game and I expect a big series from Daniel Carcillo and Chris Pronger, I do not seeing it quite being enough to stop Tuukka Rask and the Bruins.

Prediction:  Bruins in 6.

Western Conference

1. San Jose Sharks VS. 5. Detroit Red Wings

One of the toughest yet predictable matchups in the second round features the Sharks and Red Wings.  This comes down to one thing and one thing only...top line and goalie play.  If the San Jose top line can get its collective head out of their behinds, then they can win this series.  If they can not, Detroit is going to wipe the walls with them because Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg are not going to be intimidated by the San Jose defense or Evgeni Nabokov for that matter.  The top line for San Jose had one goal combined last series against Colorado.  Detroit is a slighty step upward in opponent.  Maybe that will get them going.  There were a lot of question marks raised with Jimmy Howard's somewhat inconsistent play against Phoenix.  He will have to play better but so will Evgeni Nabokov for San Jose.  Colorado could barely muster any offense aside from Game 2 in that series.  In the end, the depth of Detroit shines while the depth for San Jose (their top line) falters just enough.

Prediction:  Wings in 6

2. Chicago Blackhawks VS. 3. Vancouver Canucks

Anyone have an idea which goalie will show up in this series?  I just expect much inconsistency in the goaltending department throughout this series and some low scoring games sprinkled with crooked numbers.  Roberto Luongo literally had to cringe at the prospect of facing Chicago again and did I mention they have Marian Hossa now?  Yes Vancouver's offense is beefed up with the Sedin twins and Mikael Samuelsson riding shotgun but will that be enough?  If guys like Ryan Kesler and Alex Burrows do not show up, this series will be ugly.  Not to mention, Chicago's PP is a bit more consistent than LA's.and their team speed is no match for Vancouver's D which could be best described as slower than molasses at times.  It is not to say that Vancouver will have their moments in this series but I just think that though Vancouver learned a thing or two from last year, it will not save them from a Game 7 in Chicago where the Madhouse On Madison will go wild to say the least.  A very close series.

Prediction:  Hawks in 7

So who knows how we will do this year but hey we did go 4-4 last year in Round 2.  There will be updates throughout and do not forget the RLD Hockey Show at 1pm ET on BTR today.