I know, I know...the second round already started, but you're going to have to trust me when I say I'm not changing my predictions based on the the three game 1's. Usually I'm excited for second rounds, but the matchups this year don't have as much interest for me. Nonetheless, I expect great series in most cases.
Eastern Conference
Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens
These teams meet for the 34th time in the playoffs. No that's not a typo, there's a reason why these teams are big rivals. Boston took the last meeting in 2011 in 7 games. The Bruins righted the ship after losing game 1 to Detroit by winning 4 straight games. Their defense looks really good, including Tuuka Rask. The Canadiens, meanwhile, shocked many people by dumping the seemingly equal Lightning in 4 games. Montreal plays a similar style to Boston, physical and defensive, but they also have a lot of flair in their forwards through Max Pacioretty and Daniel Briere. The Canadiens will have to improve on their penalty kill though, they're at 77% right now.
Key Matchups
Carey Price vs. Tuuka Rask
These two goaltenders are both hot right now, and they need to continue that if their respective teams want to make deep runs. Rask leads all playoff goalies in GAA and Save Percentage. Price is peaking at the right time after winning a gold medal at the olympics. He was especially key in game 2 of the last series, on the road. If Montreal wins the series, they'll have to steal a game in Boston, and Price will be key to that
P.K. Subban vs. Zdeno Chara
The best defense-men for their respective teams. They're both physical and they both score timely goals. Chara will likely be on the ice every time the Max Pacioretty line is and on the power play. Subban is a little younger, a little quicker, and is more involved with the Canadiens' offense. Expect to see him quarterbacking the power play and jumping up into the play with the forwards.
Verdict: Montreal matches up really well with Boston and the Canadiens are a thorn in the Bruins side almost every year. Both teams easily handled their first round opponents, both teams have elite goaltenders, and both teams believe they can win the series. Montreal's penalty kill is a concern, especially since Boston's power play is on fire right now (33%). The Bruins were many people's pick to win the cup (I picked them to lose in the finals), but they face a stern test here. Bruins in 7
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Rangers
These teams last met in 2008 and a lot has changed on either side since then. The Rangers outlasted the Flyers in game 7 in round 1. The Penguins put away the pesky Blue Jackets and were in many ways fortunate not to play a game 7. If the Rangers want to win this series they'll have to improve on both aspects of special teams. Of teams still remaining in the playoffs, the Rangers rank dead last in power play and penalty kill. If the Penguins want to win, they'll have to find some consistency. They showed flashes of brilliance in the first round but also showed glaring gaps
Key Matchups
Sidney Crosby vs. himself
There's little argument about it, Sidney Crosby is the best player in the world right now. But even the best go through scoring droughts. Players like Crosby need just one goal and what usually follows is a goal explosion. To his credit, Crosby did pick up 6 assists in the first round, but for a player who ran away with the NHL points race, you expect him to score at least a few goals.
Rangers defense vs. Penguins offense
Everyone knows that Pittsburgh can score goals, but that formula alone won't win you a Stanley Cup. The Rangers have the players to shut down that offense, specifically Ryan McDonagh. The key for the Rangers will be for their forwards to support the defensmen in shutting down Crosby, Malking, Kunitz, Neal, etc. Of course Henrik Lundqvist's play will also be important, but if he can get support from his defense, his job will be that much easier.
Verdict: I promise game 1's outcome had no influence on this. I picked the Flyers to win round 1 and beat their in-state rivals. Pittsburgh isn't convincing enough to me. They struggled against a Columbus team that they should've easily dispatched given their roster. Marc Andre Fleury looks shaky and the lack of scoring from Crosby is concerning. The Rangers need to find a way to steal a road game, or maybe even two. Rangers in 7
Western Conference
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Minnesota Wild
I'll try not to let my anger and disappointment show here, but it'll be tough. You have to give the Wild credit though. Hardly anyone gave them a chance in round 1, but they were the better team throughout the series and deservedly advanced. Their reward? A date with the defending champions. Chicago deserves credit too. They were unlucky in the first two games and were dominant in the last four. Their opponent, the Blues, are no pushover either. Brent Seabrook came back from suspension and was an immediate contributor, his return is pivotal to this team.
Key Matchups
Corey Crawford vs. whoever Minnesota has in goal
Darcy Kuemper's status is uncertain after the young goaltender exited game 7 of round 1 with a leg injury. Ilya Bryzgalov looked shaky in the first two games against Colorado, and was pulled in favor of Kuemper. Kuemper played solidly and if he isn't able to go, Bryzgalov will have to elevate his game. Corey Crawford really doesn't have to change anything. The Blackhawks goalie has found his form from last year.
Minnesota defense vs. Chicago offense
I would argue that the Avalanche are similar to the Blackhawks offensively, with one major exception: experience. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane are very young, but both already have two Stanley Cup rings. The Wild shut down the Avalanche offense enough to get past them, but they'll have to find another level to stop the Blackhawks. Like the Rangers, Minnesota will need their forwards to help out on defense. Ryan Suter, who leads the Wild in ice time, will have the task of stopping Patrick Kane.
Verdict: The winner of the Avs-Wild matchup was always going to be in trouble. Playoff hockey is very different from the regular season. Not many people gave the Wild a chance in the first round, even less people will give them a chance here. Chicago is rolling on all cylinders right now and will be very tough to beat. Blackhawks in 5
Anaheim Ducks vs. Los Angeles Kings
It's sort of hard to imagine these teams will face each other for the first time in the playoffs. After all, they're in the same division and basically the same city (I know it's not technically the same but you get the idea). The Kings became only the fourth team to erase a 3-0 deficit, and if there was any team this year that could accomplish that, it's the Kings (especially since they played the Sharks, who seemingly choke every year). The Ducks put away the young, upstart Stars in 6 games. Trailing by two with 2:10 left, the Ducks tied the game with less than 30 seconds left and won less than three minutes into overtime. It was an incredible display of determination.
Key Matchups
Jonathan Quick vs. whoever Anaheim has in goal
Like Minnesota, the Ducks don't know who their goalie is going to be. Frederik Anderson was largely mediocre, at times even poor. Jonas Hiller was solid in relief, having come on twice in the series. The trouble is Bruce Boudreau stuck with Hiller last year when he struggled, and it seems he doesn't want to completely destroy Anderson's confidence. On the other side, Jonathan Quick allowed 17 goals in the first three games and only 6 in the final four. He is the key to the defense and right now he's playing as well as any goalie in the playoffs
Drew Doughty vs. Ryan Getzlaf/Corey Perry
If the Ducks want to get past the Kings, they'll need Getzlaf to continue his fine form. Now that he doesn't have the jaw protector, Getzlaf can resume playing like normal (though it's not like the protector slowed him down too much). Dallas didn't really have a shutdown defenseman to stop Getzlaf, but the Kings do. Doughty is riding high after stopping the Joe Thornton line in round 1, and scoring a pivotal goal in game 7. Corey Perry was largely ineffective but the Kings would be ill-fated to dismiss him.
Verdict: I think many people overlook the Ducks, but to be fair they choked big time last year, and struggled at times against a Dallas team they probably should've beat with more ease. Another problem the Ducks have is defense. They don't have a big name defenseman, and they lost Stephane Robidas for the rest of the playoffs. The Kings may have the most momentum of any team right now, and they get a few days rest. The offense is scoring goals, the defense is shutting opponents down, and Jonathan Quick is in form. Kings in 5
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