tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

Round 2 – NHL Playoffs

Last night wrapped up one of the most exciting 1st rounds of the NHL playoffs that I can ever remember.  In the East, 3 of the 4 series went to a Game 7.  The last 7 nights have had at least one overtime game.  We've seen blown 3 goal leads, teams being up two games and losing the series, and in the case of the Vancouver Canucks, a team being staked to a 3-0 lead in the series only to win the series 4-3 with an overtime win in Game 7.

It will be hard for the 2nd round to match what we have seen already.  The East has some pretty interesting matchups.  Boston will take on Philadelphia in a rematch from last season which saw the Flyers storm back from 3-0 deficit to win the series and send Bruin fans to jump in the Charles River.  This year I think will be different.  This series will be a bruising one as it always is when these two teams meet.  The Bruins will have the edge in goal but so did the Sabres and it didn't matter to the Flyers.  Both teams fought through adversity in the first round.  This one could go 7 games because both teams have shown tremendous resiliency.  In the end, the Bruins will not forget what happened last year.  They also will be at full strength while I'm not sure what the status is of Chris Pronger and Jeff Carter.  I'm going to take the Bruins in 7.

Washington-Tampa Bay will have all kinds of offensive stars on the ice and should be very entertaining.  It will be interesting to see how the long lay-off will effect the Capitals.  I think the Lightning were fortunate to be facing a game Pittsburgh team that was perservering without their two big stars: Crosby and Malkin.  One would have to wonder how last night would have ended if those two were on the ice in the final 90 seconds of regulation when the Penguins were on the power play.  I think the Lightning may have a slight edge in goal.  In the end, the Capitals should prevail but it will take them 6 games to do it.

In the West, Vancouver will meet the Nashville Predators, who finally advanced past the 1st round of the playoffs.  The Canucks could be poised for a good run in this series after having weathered the Chicago storm.  There is no question the Canucks have more fire power and more talent.  But the Predators are a tough defensive team who has a goalie, Pekka Rinne, who can match Roberto Luongo.  The Canucks should win this one 4-2.

Perennial Western powers, Detroit and San Jose, will face off in what should be an excellent series.  I think the goaltending is even as they can be very good or they can be mediocre.  The Red Wings made easy work of the Coyotes while the Sharks struggled with the upstart Kings.  In the end, I'm going with the Red Wings to win this one in six games.

As I've stated before there is nothing like the NHL playoffs.  Every rush, every faceoff could mean victory or defeat, advancing or elimination.  If your team is in it, the series consumes you every day and you end up being a nervous wreck.  Sit back and lets hope the 2nd round is as good as the 1st.