Western Conference
2 Detroit Red Wings v. 8 Anaheim Ducks
While it looks like Detroit should have this series in the palm of their hand, I expect the Ducks to come out shooting and playing amazingly well. Detroit swept threw the Blue Jackets and dominated in all but one of the games. On that final game, however, they showed that they were stoppable and almost lost to a team far below their caliber. Detroit had sloppy puck handling, bad passes, and just a general tired feeling about them. The Ducks played extremely well in all of their games, and they handily beat the best team in the entire NHL. We can expect Detroit to look weak and confused while the Ducks will look strong and fired up. Whoever gets the first win of this series will be the overall winner.
Anaheim in six
3 Vancouver Canucks v. 4 Chicago Blackhawks
This is bound to be the toughest of the four series in the second round. Though it will not be as entertaining as the Washington-Pittsburgh battle, the Vancouver-Chicago fight will be full of close finishes and amazing saves. Both teams have good special teams, both have good fore checking, and both have stunning goal tenders. With this in mind, I expect a low scoring series, but one full of fights, hard hits, and plenty of good opportunities. Though Vancouver will have home ice advantage, I think that Chicago’s desire to prolong their first playoffs in seven seasons will give them the edge that they need.
Chicago in seven
Article comments
1 - El Bicho
"and almost lost to a team far below their caliber."
But they were just the best team in the league a few weeks ago. Surely there's no shame in the Wings not completely dominating them four straight :)
2 - Matthew T. Sussman
And today you could say the Sabres are the best team in the league right now. Haven't lost a game in a few weeks.
3 - Jordan Richardson
Carolina didn't play the Rangers in the first round, they played the Devils.
4 - RJ
Red Wings in 6.
5 - Robert M. Barga
El Bicho
I still believe that the bluejackets were the hottest team at that point. Vancouver and St Louis turned it up and mason fell, which dropped CBJ down quite a bit
Also, CBJ played in the playoffs like it was the regular season, hence below calibur
6 - Robert M. Barga
Matt, if you were not my editor i would hate you. The Sabres are out, but they still could, arguably, never be the best team. St. Louis, on the other hand, could be argued for
7 - Robert M. Barga
Jordan
did i say that they did? If i did (couldn't find it) i am sorry
8 - RJ
Wings win! Wings win! Wings win!
9 - Dr Dreadful
Try saying that ten times fast...
10 - Jordan Richardson
Bah, didn't get back to this before now. Sorry:
The Hurricanes struggled against the Rangers during all of their games, and barely came back in Game 7 to win it Tuesday night.
There it is, Robert. Third-ish paragraph on the first page.
Anywho, looks like you went one for four in the predictions. This was a hard round to pick and there were some upsets. You aren't the only one to completely underestimate the Canes, trust me.
And wow, three out of the four series' going to seven games! That's awesome stuff. Incidentally, on my own blog I went one for four as well. The only prediction I got right was the Canes upset.
:)
11 - Robert M. Barga
i feel so stupid, after dominating in the first round i am nailed in the second
well, third perios time, hopefully that is up tonight