Down to eight teams now. Hockyshrine went 5.5 for 8 in the first round: thought NSH vs ANA would be too close to call(!); and didn’t see Detroit or Florida losing out. Ben Bishop might have been the difference for Tampa Bay over Detroit, and the strong physical play of the Islanders really pointed up the benefits of toughness, period, but especially in the playoffs.
TBL vs NYI
As for this round, I think the Islanders will prevail largely because of the aforementioned hard-hitting style they bring. Tampa Bay demonstrated that they were no slouches last year, but they don’t seem to be as bruising a team as does New York. Unless Bishop can steal the series–or conversely Islanders goalie Thomas Greiss reverts back to his more unexceptional self–NYI should win in 5.
WSH vs PIT
Call it the ‘President’s trophy jinx’ or just that the playoffs really are a different animal altogether, but the Washington Capitals to my mind are not poised to be drinking champagne from Lord Stanley’s mug this year. Great team for sure, but what happens in close games where the PP can’t win it for them because the refs have put away the whistles? I think they aren’t as strong at 5 on 5 as they need to be.
Pittsburgh has a very solid line up and are getting rookie goal-tending that is a reminder of the sudden arrival of one Ken Dryden on the playoff scene back in the day! Well, not quite (or yet), but still the Penguins are a well rounded force with lots of weapons. Pick Sid and the boys in 6.
STL vs DAL
The Blues have finally exorcised a big playoff demon and are marching on. I picked them to be in the final at the beginning of the playoffs. I also picked San Jose to be a dark horse. Not sure which now, but one of those two is likely to be in the big dance. Obviously then I pick St. Louis to beat Dallas. The Stars have the offense, but aren’t going to be able the out score their way through to successive rounds. STL in 6.
NSH vs SJS
If I had chosen San Jose to be a dark horse in this year’s playoffs, Nashville was also meriting a similar consideration. This series I think will be the most fun to watch of all the second round match ups. Both teams have a relentlessness to them, and a skill level throughout their respective line ups that is going to result in a close, hard fought, and evenly matched series. This tilt should produce some good hockey. SJS in 7.