First Call on the Second Round

What a close to the first round. If you were in the Eastern region, nothing like a game ending after midnight. The Panthers looked as tired as I was. And if you were in the Western half of the continent, nothing like getting in two full games with plenty of time for a full postmortem before last call.

Ah, to be in the West again someday. Eventually I will make it back out there. But for now, I am in the East and have to make do with late nights and early mornings with my special 32-ounce tumbler of Go-Juice, a blend of espresso and Coca-Cola. Worth waking up for, hockey and Go-Juice.

It is with that performance enhancing beverage that I come to you with my picks to click for the second round.

Except for their bad patch around 6 or so minutes to go in the third period, the Rangers impressed me with their effort Thursday night. Just don't have any more of those rough patches, OK? That was touch to watch.

I see the Rangers needing six games to dispatch the Capitals, whom I had being shelved by the Bruins in the first round. I'm bound to get it right one of these days.

I also had the Devils being bounced in the first round. I will not be wrong in this round, which sees the Flyers pulling the plug on the Devils in 7 games.

In the Western Conference, the Predators give the Coyotes the shove in six games because I do not believe Mike Smith will top Pekka Rinne.

As for the battle of the forechecker series, I see the Kings taking down another high seed, defeating the Blues in 7 games. Bet on a lot of overtime in this series and bet the under. Hard.

We're getting closer to 5 pm, which is when I make the dash to the Lounge for another full night of hockey and perhaps overtime. Better stock up on tumblers of Go-Juice.