2ITB second round predictions

I was a tidy 6/8 with my first round selections in the 2011 Stanly Cup Playoffs. Of course, that means I will go o’fer in round two but that won’t keep me from taking a stab at it anyway.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

#1 Washington Capitals vs. #5 Tampa Bay Lightning

This could be an interesting series. The knee-jerk choice is Washington. They can score almost at will and they did a good job keeping a defensive-minded team, with a good goalie, at bay in round one. The Caps also got strong goaltending, something many had questioned. Tampa, on the other hand, took a while to wake up. They fell behind Pittsburgh 3-1 before igniting their offense a bit and then riding Dwayne Roloson into the second round. It is Roloson’s pair of shutouts against Washington that intrigues me. Also his flawless elimination game record (6-0). If Roloson continues the way he is playing, Tampa will be dangerous. I am willing to go against that, I like Washington’s new-look defensive game and their ability to fill the net. Caps in six.

#2 Philadelphia Flyers vs. #3 Boston Bruins

The Flyers made it through round one by using three different goalies and by utilizing their amazing depth. Surely Brian Boucher will be their guy moving forward. However, I don’t think he is good enough to beat an equally talented team. Boston is a damn good hockey club. They also will remember their second round collapse against the Flyers from 2010. Expect the Bruins to clamp down when they get Philly by the neck. I don’t expect any two or three-goal comebacks from the Flyers in this series. Bruins in six.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

#1 Vancouver Canucks vs. #5 Nashville Predators

Vancouver is a very good hockey team. But they barely survived a tough series with Chicago. The Nashville Shea Webers Predators had a few days to rest and recharge their batteries after knocking off Anaheim. Both teams have strong goaltending on paper, but it didn’t really show up in round one. Nashville plays great defense, Vancouver is well-rounded and has a potent offense. Anaheim’s firepower almost took out the Preds, I think Vancouver has a bit more to handle and that will decide the series. Canucks in five.

#2 San Jose Sharks vs. #3 Detroit Red Wings

Poor Joe Thornton and the Sharks. They just can’t get away from the Red Wings in the playoffs. They had to be rooting hard for a Blackhawks upset. I will say the Sharks are a much better team than in other years when they choked against the Wings. Henrik Zetterberg’s status could play a major role here, as will Jimmy Howard. I don’t know if he will be able to be a difference maker for the Wings. Of course, I feel the same way about Antti Niemi. This series may come down to who can pile more pucks in the net. I’ll take Detroit in seven.

There you have it. The second round becomes quite a bit more dicey to choose than the first round. So many intangibles come into play during this round. It should add up to some great hockey. This has certainly been one of the better playoffs that I can remember for some time.