NHL Playoffs Predictions: Eastern Conference Picks, Round Two
The NHL’s second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs begins tonight, as the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Islanders kick off their series at 7 p.m.
Oddly enough, the NHL’s first round isn’t even over yet, with game seven between Anaheim and Nashville going tonight at 10 p.m.
I can’t ever recall a time where the second round began before the first round officially ended, but I’m guessing scheduling conflicts brought the NHL to this messy situation.
Anyways – I digress.
Today, with the second round in the Eastern Conference officially beginning, we’re going to look at these second round series and pick who the winners shall be.
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NHL: Tampa Bay vs. New York Islanders
This one should be an interesting one. Tampa Bay was the better team in the regular season, while the Isles got in on a wild card – but none of that matters now, does it?
The Lightning knocked out Detroit in five games in the first round of the NHL’s Stanley Cup Playoffs. Detroit’s lone win came in a shutout over the Lightning, something Tampa Bay obviously wants to avoid. Tampa also managed to pull off a shutout of their own, beating Detroit 1-0 in game five to seal the series.
For the Islanders, it was more of a battle. They won the first game, but then it was tied; won another to take a 2-1 series lead, before Florida tied it again. The Isles then captured both games five and six to win the series. Three of the series’ six games went to overtime, with two hitting double-OT.
New York won all three of the overtime games.
My prediction? A close series with Tampa Bay taking it in six games.
NHL: Washington vs. Pittsburgh
Ah, the not-so-elusive Crosby vs. Ovechkin matchup. Call it what you want, but don’t forget other key players like Evgeni Malkin and Nicklas Backstrom.
The Capitals were the best team in the NHL through the regular season, and for a while, it showed in the first round of the NHL’s Stanley Cup Playoffs.
After winning the first three games of the series, the Caps sort of broke down. A 3-0 series lead that should’ve easily led a series win, quickly left Washington up three games to two. Yikes.
The Caps did eventually win that game six, beating Philly by a score of 1-0. And fun fact? That game six was the first game former Buffalo Sabres defender Mike Weber played in the series.
The Penguins won their series over New York in a very different fashion. They won the first game by a score of 5-2, but then let the Rangers tie it in game two. Strong goaltending by Matt Murray was really part of the deciding factor here, and the Pens captured the next three to win the series.
Goaltending is going to be a huge part of this series, between Braden Holtby and Matt Murray.
I’ll give the edge to the Capitals in seven games.
Next: Sabres Alumni Moving On In NHL Playoffs
Stay tuned for continuing coverage of the NHL’s Stanley Cup Playoffs.