PENS vs CAPS – Penguins in 6
The one takeaway I took from the Capitals having to beat the Leafs in 6 games, with 5 of those games going into Overtime…is that the Capitals just aren’t that good. Let me phrase that actually, they just aren’t that good -- in the postseason. The team has a ton of depth and on paper should likely be the favourites to win the Cup this year. But considering they’ve never made it past the 2nd round in the Ovechkin era… and that they’re going up against a Pens team that has done it before, I’ve changed my tune on them. All it takes is an explosion from Ovi or Backstrom to change my mind, but here’s the thing: I don’t know if that will happen. The Capitals tend to disappear for stretches of games this time of year. What I do know is that Crosby, Malkin and Kessel will continue their offensive dominance from the 1st round. So I’m going to go with what I know…Pittsburgh in 6 games.
SENATORS vs RANGERS – Senators in 6
This is a tricky matchup as I really didn’t have a lot of faith in the Sens in the 1st round against the Bruins. I didn’t expect Bobby Ryan to completely redeem his nightmare of a regular season, to transform into being a playoff hero. I didn’t expect Clarke MacArthur to ever play hockey again, never mind score game winning, and series clinching goals. I didn’t expect Erik Karlsson to dominate the series with 2 hairline fractures, or Craig Anderson to be able to only focus on hockey, despite what is going on with his personal life. I underestimated the Sens and I won’t be doing that again (in this series at least).
DUCKS vs OILERS – Ducks in 7
The Edmonton Oilers have been the feel good story so far in this postseason. Everyone wants them to advance and ultimately face the Penguins in the finals to have that Crosby vs McDavid narrative. I Hope it happens…but I just don’t see it this year. The Ducks are a powerful, explosive team with a lot of depth. They have the experience and the skill, whereas the Oilers only have half that equation.
BLUES vs PREDS – Preds in 6
Jake Allen surely can’t continue this pace that he’s on. Goalies have gotten hot in the postseason before but I just can’t see him carrying over his .956 SAVE% against the same team who just swept the Blackhawks. The Preds are my pick to come out of the West after seeing what they did in the first round. Their weapons are scary good.