Round 2 Picks

Eastern Conference

Bruins/Hurricanes – Hurricanes in 7
Carolina is coming off on the winning end of what can be described as one of the biggest single game collapses in recent memory. Winning 3-2 with 1:30 left, Brodeur and the Devils gave up 2 goals to lose the game, the series, and their dignity. The Devils loss is the sporting equivalent of banging a really hot girl, only to pull out and blow your load into your own bellybutton. With the emotion of a game 7 win on the road, Staal putting the team on his back, and Cam Ward playing like his Conn Smythe season, the Canes should be set for another long outing versus the Bruins.
Boston comes into the series with plenty of rest after decimating the Canadiens. With no disrespect to the Bruins, they didn’t have much of a series as the Habs just didn’t show up. The depth of this team will show its true impact vs the Canes, and if the scoring continues to come from all spots they should cruise into the East finals.
However, Tim Thomas will caught up in a whirlwhind of speculation for the Vezina, and I think he ends up disappointing. Carolina steals game 1, but the Bruins rebound at home for game 2. Alternating wins throughout the series will set up a Canes victory on the road... again.

Eric Staal scores in Double OT


Capitals/Penguins – Penguins in 5
Much like Carolina, the Capitals will be on a major high after coming back from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Rangers in 7. Sergei Fedorov’s goal with under 5:00 left in the third completed the comeback, and set up the marquee second round matchup that Gary Bettman has obviously rigged for media purposes.
The Crosby-Ovechkin matchup will be incredibly entertaining and should make for some great renditions of Coach’s Corner. The debate over who is better, and why people hate Crosby because he’s a whiner, and hate Ovechkin because he’s a show-off should bore people the entire series. Also, with the Hart Trophy nominations revealed today, a secondary storyline between Malkin and Ovechkin should be much more entertaining.
However the difference maker in the series will be goaltending. Simeon Varlamov (who actually made a point of correcting Pierre McGuire’s pronunciation – it is Var-LAM-ov) will get peppered in this series, and will have to deal with real hockey players, and not the New York Rangers. Marc Andre Fleury will have a stellar series, and help return the Pens to the Eastern Finals.
Also, before the series starts I am going to buy stock in the Bic/Papermate companies. The endless references to Pens/Caps... Pens and Caps... and PenCaps is a marketing gold mine.

Sidney Crosby scores the OT winner in Washington. The beefed up security escorts the Penguins fan sitting behind the bench wearing a Crosby jersey out of the arena so he doesn’t get attacked by Bruce Boudreau. I wonder if the lady who got hit the head with Tortorella’s water bottle will show her face.

Western Conference

Red Wings/Ducks – Red Wings in 6
I said if the Red Wings and Ducks were to meet up in the first round that the Ducks would upset the Wings. But I’ve changed my mind. Despite an awesome performance from Jonas (or Yonas) Hiller, I can’t see him repeating against the offensive powerhouse of the Red Wings. Even though the Jackets are terrible, the Wings put up some great performances against Vezina nominee Steve Mason. I like the Ducks to maybe steal a couple games to make it interesting, and to give the Wings a wake-up call for the Western finals. And keeping with tradition I anticipate an epic brawl between Ryan Getzlaf and Nicklas Lidstrom. However unlike Joe Thornton, Lidstrom’s fight may actually spark his team, and not be a point of ridicule for the next 4 months.
Game 6 will be a route, and expect Marian Hossa to have a big series after coming on strong in game 4 of the Jackets series.

Canucks/Blackhawks – Blackhawks in 6
This matchup on paper looks like it should go the distance, but I like the Blackhawks to take it. The Canucks looked impressive in their opening round sweep of the Blues, but again it is the Blues. Luongo will get his saves, and keep the Canucks in every game of the series, but I like Chicago to get it done. The Hawks dominated the Flames in the final 2 games of the Western Quarterfinals, including a decisive series clinching win in Calgary. Not an easy place to do so.
Vancouver and Calgary are essentially the same team, and I may even give the overall edge to the Flames. The Canucks offense is stagnant as per usual, despite a decent series from the Swedish Meatballs. I like Toews, Kane, and Havlat to take it down, and they should produce a similar result to the Flames series, however this time on home ice.
Dustin Byfuglien will score the series clinching goal, and Brent Seabrook will continue to progress in this series.