NHL Playoffs: Second Round

The second round matchups are set in stone after a few game sevens. We saw perhaps the best rivalry renewed, in Boston and Montreal, with Montreal prevailing in seven. We saw Alexander Ovechkin come so close to bringing his team to the second round, losing in overtime in the seventh game. We saw Sidney Crosby sweep the Senators with no problem. The good news is: it can only get better.

In the Eastern Conference, Montreal, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and the New York Rangers are left, which bodes well for the NHL. Having the New York market and maybe the most popular NHL franchise in Montreal in the second round must be making NHL commissioner Gary Bettman see dollar signs.

The Western Conference brings us a rivalry renewed in Detroit and Colorado. The matchups in the 90s and early 00s were so intense and fierce. Then there is the most overlooked matchup – San Jose vs. Dallas – two teams that know each other very well being division rivals. Sports fans buckle your harnesses and keep your arms in the train at all times. It’s going to be a hell of a ride.

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: Second Round

Eastern Conference

#1 Montreal Canadiens vs. #6 Philadelphia Flyers

Overview: The Flyers are coming off a long, intense series against the once red-hot Washington Capitals. It took overtime in the seventh game to oust Ovechkin and company. Their reward? The offensive juggernaut Montreal Canadiens. Montreal should have been able to beat archrival Boston quicker than seven games, but in a rivalry that intense they should be proud of their victory. The story for Montreal is rookie goalie Carey Price who posted a shutout in game seven. The second coming of Patrick Roy? Let’s wait a little longer before we give him that crown. Until then, the Flyers will be physical, but there is no way that Flyer defense, led by youngster Braydon Coburn and beat-up and battered Derian Hatcher, can stop Montreal.

Prediction: Canadiens in six.

#2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 New York Rangers

Overview: Here we come to one of the more debated topics in the playoffs of any sport. Does the long layoff the Penguins had affect their game? If it does, it will only be in the first game. After that they should be back into it. Both goaltenders for the teams are playing great hockey with Marc-Andre Fleury posting a 1.26 goals against average in the sweep against Ottawa. For the Rangers, I keep coming back to center Chris Drury, one of the best clutch players in the NHL. He is going to get hot soon and this is the time to do it. Jaromir Jagr is the points leader in the playoffs, for the Rangers, with 8 followed by center Scott Gomez. This will be a long series that goes the distance. Although Fleury’s stats do not lie, I just cannot trust his ability to stay hot.

Prediction: Rangers in seven.

Western Conference

#1 Detroit Red Wings vs. #6 Colorado Avalanche

Overview: This old rivalry is renewed in the second round of the 2008 playoffs. Adam Foote was traded back to Colorado midseason, and Forsberg decided to come back to the Avs. Those two know something about facing Detroit and the intensity level will be sky high. Colorado took out Minnesota in six games, a series victory that I do not think tested the Avs enough to make it to the West Finals. Detroit replaced goalie Dominik Hasek with Chris Osgood and they have been doing excellent with him. Too much Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Holmstrom, and Lidstrom for the Avalanche to handle. This will be a great series that will not quite go the distance.

Prediction: Detroit in six.

#2 San Jose Sharks vs. #5 Dallas Stars

Overview: The most disappointing team in the first round was the Sharks. They won their series over Calgary, but it took a lot longer than it should have. For Sharks fans, it seems like things are on repeat, as the Sharks still do not seem to bring it every night. They cannot afford that against Dallas or they could easily get swept. Because these two teams are rivals, the Sharks, theoretically, should be able to bring the intensity each game. A lot of people have Dallas moving through because of the stellar play of goalie Marty Turco. Interestingly enough, I do not think the Stars can get it done because of that exact same reason. How many times has Turco collapsed in the playoffs? Let me count the ways. The problem here is picking how long the series will go. The Sharks learned a lesson from Calgary and will not make the same mistake twice or heads will roll.

Prediction: San Jose in six.