Sorry for the long break. I've had some things going on the past few weeks and with the Sens season over, I thought it was the time to take a break. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be regularly posting until the middle of May because of a 1 week vacation to Halifax. It'll be nice to relax and kick back after a long and dreadful season for the Sens. However, I'll be giving my playoff picks as they go so here they are for the second round. Note that I went 6-2 in the First Round with the Sharks aka my pre-playoff Stanley Cup winner(WTF?) and the Flyers(No excuses) bailing out on me.
Eastern Conference
(1) Boston Bruins vs. (6) Carolina Hurricanes
These two teams faced very different climates in the first round. Boston faced a weak Habs team on the brink of exteriation and blew them up. The Hurricanes played the "Oh My God What A Trap" Devils and were 64 second away from being eliminated. However, Jussi Freakin Jokinen and Eric Calm Staal shocked everyone in the hockey world. Both teams have depth on offense and solid goaltending in Thomas and Ward, but Carolina's defense is virtually unknown out of ex-Sen "Uh Oh" Corvo and Boston has Big Z, Wideman, Ference and Aaron Ward. I see Phil Kessel being the difference here as the Hurricanes push but the Bruins reply.
Bruins in 6 Games
Series MVP: Phil Kessel
(2) Washington Capitals vs. (4) Pittsburgh Penguins
Pretty much this series has been on the top of the NHL's wishlist since the trio of Ovechkin, Crosby, and Malkin broke out in the NHL. With the rivalry between Crosby and Ovechkin escalating to a new level, this will be one heck of a series. Both offenses are pretty explosive with the Capitals having the sligh edge with their depth, the Penguins have a more steady and aligned defense and Fleury is mroe capable than Varlamov right noe. However, I for some reason think the Penguins will go after Ovechkin every chance they get and it will land them in the penalty box, and you don't want the Capitals' PP to step on the ice. I like Varlamov and he will be the unsung hero in this series.
Capitals in 7 Games
Series MVP: Simeon Varlamov
Western Conference
(2) Detroit Red Wings vs. (8) Anaheim Ducks
You have to go back to who knows when that the last two Cup Champions face each other in the playoffs. The Red Wings easily ousted a hapless, inexperienced Blue Jackets team. The Ducks on the other hand, shocked me and the hockey world and beat the Ducks in 6. I personally hate the Ducks after beating the Sens in the Cup Final two years ago but you have to like the defensive structure they have with Pronger, Niedermayer, Whitney, Beachumin and Brookbank. Osgood showed some rust in Game 4 and Hiller has the better rebound control. While both defenses are great, the Red Wings' offense beats all and it will be the difference in a tough, punishing series that goes the distance.
Red Wings in 7 Games
Series MVP: Johan Franzen
(3) Vancouver Canucks vs. (4) Chicago Blackhawks
You've gotta love the Canucks' balanced attack. Their offense is lightning, their defense is thunder, and their goaltending is...well...god-like. The Blackhawks are speedy and young, but so are the Canucks. Luongo is obviously better than Khabibulin but never count out the Bulin Wall. Both goaltenders will get more shots than they did in the First Round. The diffrence iwll be the expeirence the Canucks have, which Mats Sundin should apply this series. The Canucks get out of this one quickly and buld their way to a probably Stanley Cup win.
Canucks in 5 Games
Series MVP: Henrik Sedin
And just for the record, the Canucks face the Capitals in my Stanley Cup Finals rpediction. And the Canucks bring the Cup back to Canada for the first time since 1993.
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