Unlike our basketball-playing friends with their boring games (that take forever) and uncompetitive series, the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs were spectacular. Only two series went seven, but there easily could've been two or three more. And even the shorter series were closer than they appeared, as evidence by the five one-goal games between the Rangers and Penguins.
So now as we embark on the second round, things really get serious. With the way the playoffs are set up, they're essentially division finals, and the differences between the two teams in each series will be minimal. All these teams know each other well, and this is where mistakes are going to be exacerbated. Teams can't get away with anything, and the questionable goalie play we saw at times in round one won't fly this time.
EASTERN CONFERENCECanadiens vs. Lightning: As a Rangers fan, I was very much rooting for Detroit in Game 7. Because I know how good the Tampa Bay Lighting are, and I want absolutely nothing to do with them. But it's probably more fitting that this series is Tampa Bay vs. Montreal. They traded first place back-and-forth all season, so it should be one of them that gets to play in the conference finals.
Montreal had a little more trouble with Ottawa than most people thought, but the better team did ultimately prevail. Against Tampa Bay, things will be much different, though. The Canadiens, especially Carey Price, have to bring their "A" game every time if they expect to win. And even that might not be enough against that outstanding Tampa Bay offense. Very little separates these two teams, and Montreal is slightly better on paper. Price will probably win the Vezina and is an MVP finalist. But for some reason, I think Tampa Bay is going to win the series. The Lightning feel like they missed their chance last year and they don't want to again. Tampa Bay in six.
Rangers vs. Capitals: Sorry to everybody that was hoping for a Rangers-Islanders series. I wanted to see it, too. It would've been cool. But it is an NHL rule that the Rangers play the Capitals in the playoffs, and rules are rules. And we're all the better for it. Because these two, who've now met five times in seven years, have played some classic playoff series in recent years. This year's edition should be no different.
There's no love lost between the Rangers and Capitals, either. Both teams will probably rely on the same formula that got them here. For Washington, that's Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. For the Rangers, that's Henrik Lundqvist. Although, the Capitals have slightly expanded their arsenal, which they knew they needed to do to finally win a playoff round. Against the Islanders, they played some solid defense and let Braden Holtby go to work. It was a good strategy that probably won them the series. The Rangers, meanwhile, handled the Penguins with surprising ease, which got them some extra time off. A little rust showed tonight, and not having Mats Zuccarello, especially if its for an extended period, is a big blow. But the Rangers won the President's Trophy for a reason. Familiarity breeds contempt, and teams as familiar as these two will do battle for seven games. That's how Rangers-Capitals series always go. But Game 7 in Madison Square Garden is usually Lundqvist's time to shine. Rangers in seven.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Blackhawks vs. Wild: These two meet in the second round for the second straight year under similar circumstances. Chicago finished third and Minnesota was the top wild card, yet they both won without home ice in the first round. Last year Colorado (Minnesota) and St. Louis (Chicago) were the victims. The only thing that changed this year is that the Predators were involved instead of the Avalanche. Although, I'm still convinced that if Nashville had won the Central instead of St. Louis, we'd be seeing a Blackhawks-Predators series right now.
It's probably safe to say that the Chicago Blackhawks don't care at all where they finish in the regular season or who they end up facing in the playoffs. Chicago is built for the postseason, and that was evidence again this year against a Nashville team that actually matched up pretty well against them. The Blackhawks used all their postseason experience to their full advantage, overcoming some shaky goaltending by both Corey Crawford and Scott Darling to mount a couple comebacks in a six-game win. Minnesota won in the first round last season, then ran into the Chicago buzz saw. Unfortunately for the Wild, I think history repeats itself. The Blackhawks need to get their goalie situation straightened out. But their offense is more than enough to make up for it. They're my pick to win the Cup for a reason. Blackhawks in six.
Ducks vs. Flams: The Calgary Flames are good. As if knocking the other two California teams out of the playoffs entirely wasn't enough, they went and knocked off a Vancouver team that couldn't figure out which goalie to use until it was too late. It took six games, but Calgary completely dominated Vancouver.
Speaking of completely dominating, the Anaheim Ducks showed Winnipeg why they're the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. They're good, they know it, and they wanted to make sure everybody else knows it, too. And that includes the Calgary Flames. That team is on the verge of doing something very special over the next couple of seasons. But it won't be this year. The Ducks are much too strong. If both teams play the way they did in the first round, the Flames have a chance of keeping it competitive. But I'd be very surprised if they extend it even to six. Anaheim owes Calgary a debt of gratitude for keeping the Kings and Sharks away. They'll repay that gratitude with a five-game series win.
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