I went 8 for 8 in my round 1 predictions and I’m looking to continue this hot streak throughout these NHL playoffs. So far everything that I thought was going to happen has so I’m going to stick with what I had predicted for this round in my original NHL bracket. There have been a few minor changes in my thoughts, but I will address these in each of the picks outlined below.
One interesting note from the first round is that only 3 of 8 higher seeds won their first round match ups. This shows that home ice advantage may not mean as much in the playoffs (it was very important in the regular season) and that the NHL is such an even league that anything can happen.
(1) Pittsburgh Penguins vs (7) Ottawa Senators
Sens fans like myself were hoping Tavares and company could pull off the major first round upset, but it wasn’t to be. Now taking out the favorites falls on the Ottawa Senators. The Sens do have a team that is capable of defeating the Penguins though. They have solid goaltending and big defensemen who can stand up to the up front size of the Penguins. I would give the Sens the edge in both defense and goaltending. The issue arises when you look at the teams forward corps. Malkin, Crosby, Iginla, Neal, Kunitz, Dupis, Morrow, etc are by far the best forward group in hockey right now. If the Senators are going to win they cannot allow over 4 goals a game like the Islanders did.
The odds aren’t as much in favour as the Penguins this round as they were last round against the Islanders, but I’m taking the Sens. Only a 1 star pick though.
Play: Senators +251 (PinnacleSports.com)
(4) Boston Bruins vs (6) New York Rangers
The Bruins and Rangers were each pushed to the brink last round, but came through in game 7. The Bruins showed a gutsy performance coming back from 4-1 down with under 10 minutes left in the third period to win in overtime. I think that game will have awaken the beast in Boston and the team will start to play with more jump. Marchand and Seguin in particular need to step up if they are going to defeat the Rangers.
On the other side of the coin the Rangers need better performances from Brad Richards and Rich Nash in particular.
I see the Bruins stars improvement being more likely than the Rangers so I like the Bruins in this series.
Play: Bruins (odds expected to be around -140…will update)
(1) Chicago Blackhawks vs (7) Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings were able to pull out a 7 game win over the Ducks thanks to their star players, but that won’t be the case against the Blackhawks. The Wings don’t have the energy to get into the latter stages of the playoffs anymore and coming up against a stronger team will make it that much more difficult. The Blackhawks have everything going for them in this series and they should make light work of the Wings.
Play: Blackhawks -269 (PinnacleSports.com)
(5) Los Angeles Kings vs (6) San Jose Sharks
The Kings and Sharks are both on four game winning streaks, but the Kings did have to play an extra two games in that first round series. The Kings look to be playing like the Stanley Cup Champs from last year and Jonathan Quick has been stellar in goal after a shaky start to the series. The one thing going against the Kings may be that they had an incredible battle against the Blues that would have taken a lot out of any team. The Sharks on the other hand made quick work of the Canucks who weren’t playing like a team in the playoffs.
I had the Sharks winning this series in my bracket, but I think I’m going to make a switch and take the Kings in this one. They really stepped up against a solid team, while the Canucks weren’t much of a test for the Sharks.
Play: Kings -140 (5Dimes.eu)
Tagged with: Boston Bruins • Chicago Blackhawks • Detroit Red Wings • Los Angeles Kings • New York Rangers • Ottawa Senators • pittsburgh penguins • San Jose Sharks