Second Round Playoff Predictions

Quite possibly the best first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in years, the NHL is kicking it into high gear with puck drop for the second round scheduled for tomorrow. The first round featured three game 7's (equaling the total of the entire 2007 playoffs), the defending Stanley Cup champion eliminated, and the elimination of Alexander Ovechkin and his Washington Capitals. Ready for more excitement?


Montreal Canadiens (1) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (6)

How the Canadiens got here: Fought off a hard working, undermanned Bruins team. Alex Kovalev rebounded after a sub-par game 6 performance to assist on the game winner in game 7. The Kostitsyn brothers elevated their play to another level, while Carey Price stood tall in net with 2 shutouts and a 0.920 save percentage.

How the Flyers got here: Led by the outstanding play of Daniel Briere. Briere leads playoff scorers with 11 points and 6 goals. Eleven players have hit the back of the net, leading to a balanced attack up front. Like the Canadiens, lead their series 3-1 but needed a game 7 to finish off the Capitals.

Why the Canadiens will win: They have Carey Price between the pipes who has made brilliant saves in the first round. With the return of Saku Koivu, the Canadiens should score more against the Flyers. Top two lines centered by Koivu and Plekanec respectively should give the Flyers' blueline problems with their speed. Have gone 4-0 against the Flyers this season.

Why the Flyers will win: Can outhit the Canadiens and have the weapons up front to counter the Canadiens attack. Philadelphia's defensemen should be a lot tougher for the Canadiens then what the Habs encountered with the Bruins. Will look to physically punish the Canadiens second line featuring the young Kostitsyn's. Have an excellent power play (22.2%) coming into this series.

Canadiens X-factor: Carey Price. Carey Price will need to stand tall once again in the crease. If he's on his game then look out.

Flyers X-factor: Martin Biron. Marin Biron will need to be at his best against the Canadiens snipers up front. If not this series should be short.

Bottom line: The Flyers will be in tough against another offensively potent team that have a quick counterattack. The Canadiens have the creative snipers up front to make the Flyers look foolish in their own end if the Flyers don't play a sound defensive game. The Flyers beat out ex- Canadien Huet in the first round, but now they will have to solve Montreal's 20-year old phenom. They'll be a tough opponent, but the Canadiens have gone 4-0 against the Flyers for a reason.

Canadiens in 6.

Pittsburgh Penguins (2) vs. New York Rangers (5)

How the Penguins got here: Made quick work of the Senators in the first round. Malkin and Crosby both had excellent series while Fleury was excellent between the pipes. Averaged 4.0 goals/game and only allowed 5 goals against all series.

How the Rangers got here: Continued their domination of the Devils and disposed of New Jersey in give games. Drury, Gomez and Jagr had their game face on and made appearances on the score sheet multiple times. Sean Avery had a great series and made his way into the head of Martin Brodeur.

Why the Penguins will win: Can outscore the Rangers and play a quick north-south game that should give the Rangers defence problems. Fleury will look to continue his success from the first round and prove to his pundits that he is a legitimate number one goaltender. The Penguins have also had over a week off to rest and prepare for their opponent.

Why the Rangers will win: Are a well rounded, solid team that doesn't give up much offensively and can outhit the Penguins. Play a solid defensive game and have Lundqvist in the crease who, like Fleury, was solid in the first round. Don't underestimate the Sean Avery factor; if Avery can get in the head of Malkin or Crosby, the Penguins could take stupid penatlies giving the Rangers power play many opportunities.

Penguins X-factor: Marian Hossa. Hossa gives the Penguins another weapon when the Rangers clamp down on Malkin and Crosby. Will need to step up his game and be a factor.

Rangers X-factor: Henrik Lundqvist. If not on his game the Penguins will expose him and send the Rangers packing.

Bottom Line: This should be one of the closest series in the second round and could easily go the distance. This series will be all about Pittsburgh's offense vs. New York's defense. Home-ice advantage will be huge for a game 7.

Pittsburgh in 7.


Detroit Red Wings (1) vs. Colorado Avalanche (6)

How the Red Wings got here: Knocked off a Nashville team that could argue they were cheated out of a win in game 2. After a goaltender change, Chris Osgood carried the Wings to a series win in 6 games. Detroit allowed the second fewest goals/game among playoff teams and had the second best penalty kill. Zetterberg factored in the scoresheet many games and Detroit's depth was too much for a depleted Predators team who scratched and clawed their way into the playoffs.

How the Avalanche got here: Jose Theodore led the Avalanche to second round. Played exceptionally well in one-goal games and looked like the former Vezina and Hart trophy winners he once was. The Colorado defense also shut down Marian Gaborik to a single assist in the series.
Why the Red Wings will win: Have depth up front to give the Avalanche problems and a solid blueline that won't be tossed out of the way by Colorado's forwards. Chris Osgood has been exceptional and is very capable of shutting down the Avs snipers. Are President's trophy winners for a reason.

Why the Avalanche will win: Have the forwards that can keep up with Detroit but have an underrated defensive game. If Jose Theodore gets hot then the Red Wings will be in big trouble since he has the ability to single handedly steal games.

Red Wings X-factor: Pavel Datsyuk. Known as a no-show come playoff time, Datsyuk had a solid first round and will need to carry that into the second round.

Avalanche X-factor: Jose Theodore. Can steal games and will need to be the Avalanche's best player.

Bottom line: The Detroit Red Wings have the depth, counterattack and special teams to knock off the Avalanche. But if Theodore gets hot, the Avalanche can very well be heading off to their first conference final since their last Stanley Cup.

Detroit in 6.


San Jose Sharks (2) vs. Dallas Stars (5)

How the Sharks got here: Played in the most exciting first round series and knocked off Calgary when it looked like they would collapse once again. Showed resiliency but barely withstood Calgary's physicality.

How the Stars got here: Had a potent power play, exceptional goaltending and the offensive weapons to knock off the Ducks in 5 games. Have three excellent centers in Modano, Richards and Ribiero and played a physical but disciplined game.

Why the Sharks will win: Proved to the critics that they can handle the pressure this year by winning game 7 convincingly and have the talent to match the Stars offense. Evgeni Nabakov will look to rebound after an average first round performance.

Why the Stars will win: Are much like the Rangers of the Eastern Conference. Have a solid all around team that can hit, score and play defence. Will be rested and look to take advantage of a banged up San Jose team.

Sharks X-factor: Joe Thornton. Will need to have an excellent series if the Sharks want to return to the conference finals.

Stars X-factor: Brad Richards. The former Conn Smythe winner will look to prove once again that Dallas made a great investment by acquiring him at the deadline.

Bottom line: Knocking off the defending Stanley Cup champions can't be taken lightly....let alone in 5 games. The Stars have the scoring depth and team defense to rattle the Sharks early.

Dallas in 6.

The second round surprisingly features only the first, second, fifth and sixth place finishers of the season in both conferences. Will the conference finals feature the same seeds going at it in each conference? Will the Detroit Red Wings finally reach the Stanley Cup final after years of fallign short? Will Carey Price carry the Canadiens to the conference finals for the first time since 1993? Or will the Colorado Avalanche be the cinderella story of the playoffs and knock of the President's trophy winners? Only time will tell, but for now, kick back and enjoy the second round.