NHL Second Season: Round Two

Apportez sur les Canadiens! So I was close to being able to shave my playoff beard last night. Unfortunately the Flyers felt like winning, so now I have to wait through another series before I have the opportunity to shave. I totally did not expect to win that game last night, but ever since Joffrey Lupul put in the rebound off Kimmo Timmonen's point shot, I have been practicing my french so I, like the rest of my Philly brethren, can yell "F*** You Koivu" in a language the Habs will understand... anyways here are my previews and picks for round two of the NHL playoffs.

#1 Montreal Canadiens(4-3) vs. #6 Philadelphia Flyers(4-3)
The Habs and the Flyers both wasted 3-1 series leads in their opening round victories. The Canadiens had a much easier game 7 as they continued their domination over Boston with a 5-0 win. The Flyers had a bit more dramatic win, as they waited until overtime to finish off the Capitals. The Canadiens should win this series as they won the season series 4-0 and dominated each of the games. However, they had won the season series against Boston 8-0 and still had to go seven. The Flyers could win if Carey Price continues his shaky play, but they need Joffry Lupul and Jeff Carter to step up if they want to continue on in these playoffs. Martin Biron has been great so far, as many of the goals scored against him you cannot fault him for, but he needs to be a lights out goalie from here on out.

Prediction: Canadiens in 6

#2 Pittsburgh Penguins(4-0) vs. #5 New York Rangers (4-1)
The Penguins have had the longest layoff between games as they were the only team to sweep their opponent. That shouldn't be much of a factor as the Rangers have also had a long layoff in between games. This series poses the most interesting match-up in the Conference Semi-finals. Can the Rangers shut down Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin? Does Brendan Shannahan have another Cup run in him? Will Marc-Andre Fleury outplay Henrick Lundqvist? Just how much does Pittsburgh hate Jaromir Jagr? We will see answers to all these questions as this series moves on. Both these teams have the tools to make a run at the Cup, but only one can move on. I'm going with the Vezina finalist.

Prediction: Rangers in a hard fought seven games.

#1 Detroit Redwings(4-2) vs. #6 Colorado Avalanche(4-2)
Here's a classic rivalry that has waned in recent years. In the late-90's there was no better rivalry than between these two teams. The blood was bad and the games were exciting as they combined to win 5 of 7 Cups from '96 to '02. Detroit has had some bad playoff losses lately and haven't reached a final in nearly six years. The Avalanche of today look like the Avalanche of 2001, as they brought Peter Forsberg and Adam Foote back into the fold this year. Should the Redwings fall in this series, they should be pulling for the Avalanche to win it all, as the last two times the Avs have won the Cup, Detroit has won it the following year.

Prediction: Avalanche in 6

#2 San Jose Sharks(4-3) vs. #5 Dallas Stars(4-2)
Well the Sharks escaped with a first round win over Calgary, but they didn't look good doing it. My original pick to win the Stanley Cup now faces a tough challenge in the form of the Dallas Stars. The Stars may be the fifth seed, but they dismantled the defending champs in the Conference Quarter-finals. If Dallas plays the way they did throughout the first round, they will be hard to beat in these playoffs. Marty Turco has been fantastic and Brad Richards has brought great leadership and experience to the Stars. The Sharks need their stars and leaders to step up this round or they will be going home early again.

Prediction: Stars in 5