It was a first round full of bloody skates, broken bones and overtime thrillers, yet the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs are going to be just as exciting for sure. Although both of the number one seeds are still alive, the shakeup in both conferences has been totally unpredictable to say the least. With that being said, here’s a stab at forecasting the second round of action in the NHL postseason.
Amidst the chase for the cup, two underdogs have emerged as possible champions, however the #7 seeded Detroit Red Wings are running into a buzzsaw in the Chicago Blackhawks. Unfortunately, this will be the last time these two can meet in the Western Conference Playoffs because the Wings are heading to the Eastern Conference after the season. Considering Chicago can beat teams in so different many ways, I have the Hawks taking this series in five.
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The Los Angeles Kings are fighting the Stanley Cup hangover, but they still have a chance to repeat as champs — key word here is chance because the San Jose Sharks look viscous as can be after a first round sweep. San Jose is the better team and will win this series in six games.
In the Eastern Conference finals I have the Ottawa Senators and the Boston Bruins squaring off as the Pittsburgh Penguins are clearly the most overrated team left in the postseason. As a seven seed the Senators have their word cut out for them, but they will continue to ride goaltender Craig Anderson all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals.
