Well that was some kind of first round! Upsets the order of the day. Tampa Bay, Calgary, Washington and Nashville all out?! We knew Colorado, Dallas and Carolina weren’t going to be pushovers….Bravo to them. Anything can happen (after all)….
East
CBJ vs BOS
Can the Blue Jackets surprise again? Pressure on the fore-check and blocking shots is a big part of their game. Mix in a few good forward threats to score and solid goal-tending and there’s lots to like. Trouble is that describes the Bruins, too. A few of the teams that won early in round one (CBJ, COL, ST.L, NYI) are going to have get up to speed. This might factor into Columbus’ chances if they slip behind. And then there’s that thing called ‘experience’. Boston’s got it. Nevertheless, could see the Blue Jacket’s Cinderella/Tortarella story continue. They just may pull it off.
BJs in 7
CAR vs NYI
Momentum again may add to Carolina’s moxy, but it won’t be as free wheeling in this series as it was with the Caps. The Islanders should contain things and win out.
Islanders in 6
West
DAL vs STL
Picked the Blues to be in the final so gotta stay with that pick. Not to say the Stars aren’t a really good team and worthy of moving on. St.Louis is just a little stronger down the middle; and the blessed goal-tending thing is still in effect;.
Blues in 7
COL vs SJS
On paper and analytically I suppose the Sharks should be considered the better team. But there’s something about the young guns from Denver that really makes you believe in their determination. Scoring distributed throughout the line up….and lots of speed.
Avalanche in 7