Okay, so these should have been posted yesterday before the second round of the NHL playoffs actually started. And if the Capitals had a power play, they'd still be playing.
Without additional delay, then . . .
Detroit Red Wings over San Jose Sharks in six games. I like the Wings despite their opening loss in this series. This veteran group rarely gets rattled and it looks to this observer as though Jimmy Howard is just fine in goal. If the Wings are going to get to the Cup final, they will need to pick up a short series because their travel itinerary will eventually catch up with them. The Sharks, on the other hand, never seem completely settled and you wonder how long they can last when Joe Pavelski is their top sniper. Nothing against that Joe but it's Jumbo Joe Thornton who needs to shine more for San Jose, a sentence often typed at this time of year.
Chicago Blackhawks over Vancouver Canucks in seven games. This should be the best of the second-round series, a repeat of last year's matchup, giving each side plenty of old scores to settle. It may come down to something as simple as the home-ice advantage, although this viewer will be looking to see how Vancouver's defense fares against Chicago's speedy and crafty forwards.
Boston Bruins over Philadelphia Flyers in six games. This could be the mucker's special and if that is the case, that favors Boston, which doesn't ooze with offensive ability but seems to get the goals when they need them. At this point, too, Tuukka Rask instills more confidence than Brian Boucher, whose job was made easier in the first round by a wishy-washy Devils attack.
Pittsburgh Penguins over Montreal Canadiens in four games. The Penguins won't mount the doughnut attack that the Capitals did against Montreal, preferring to keep their forays in the middle rather than the outside. The Habs remind one of the Colorado Avalanche, riding a hot goalie with timely scoring. Either -- or both -- of those commodities can disappear overnight. Expect that to happen. And, my, oh my, hasn't the Eastern draw opened up nicely for the Penguins?
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