Well the Rangers’ season is over, but there’s still plenty of good hockey to be viewed. Most eyes will be on that Washington/Pittsburgh series, as that may produce your eventual Cup winner, but don’t discount either series in the West. There’s a reason why that conference has won the majority of the recent Stanley Cups.
Here on the blog, we’ve previewed each of the four upcoming series, broken down by series and by each writer. Share yours in the comments and let us know how spot on / awful our predictions are.
Just a note: We wrote these after Wednesday night’s games because of the weird schedule. So, don’t think that the predictions are skewed by prior results.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals
Dave: These are easily the two best teams in the East. Pittsburgh had a deceptively bad defensive showing against the Rangers, but are riding a red hot streak of overall great play. Washington has a hole or two on the blue line, but damn that team is good. This is tough. Pens in 7.
Kevin: Sucks the Rangers aren’t here, but boy is this a doozy of a matchup. I can’t see any way this one doesn’t go the distance, and I think we’ll see a bunch of overtimes along the way. In the end, this still feels like the Caps’ year, so I have Washington in seven.
Chris: Unfortunately this series is going to be dominated by the two obvious marquee names which is a shame as its a series loaded with talent. AO will be desperate to get the better of Crosby and the Caps better depth will out last the Pens speed and form. Caps in 6.
Becky: One of the two series I’m so excited to watch. The Penguins made easy work of the Rangers and come in with confidence and a whole lot of recent victories. The Caps have proven themselves all season and, in their most recent series against the Flyers, showed off their power play finesse. Capitals in 7.
Pat: This one really has me torn because I hate both teams, but I think I like Washington’s chances better. I prefer Ovi to Crosby, and from there I like Washington’s group of forwards better than Pittsburgh’s. Still, Pitt looked really good last series (admittedly, the Rangers played like trash), so I’ll say this one’s close. Caps in 7.
New York Islanders vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Dave: The Isles got by Florida on a hot goalie and John Tavares. Tampa has holes, but is a much better team than the Panthers and the Isles. Even without Stamkos, a returning Stralman gives them the edge. TBL in 6.
Kevin: The Isles are in for a much tougher task in Round Two against a battle-tested Lightning squad that doesn’t seem to miss Steven Stamkos and Anton Stralman at all. Nikita Kucherov and Tyler Johnson continue their playoff magic and Tampa prevails in six.
Chris: The Isles are a talented team that has some holes who rely too heavily on John Tavares. Overall They’re not as good as the Lightning who can spread their talent around better, even without future Ranger Steven Stamkos. Tampa’s depth will beat the Isles; can the Isles contain the Johnson line? I don’t think so. Lightning in 6.
Becky: Battle of who will lose in the ECF. The Bolts are injured but have a good goaltender in Ben Bishop, and the Islanders are streaking right now on the back of their captain. Isles in 6
Pat: I get that JT is on a real hot streak right now, but I like Tampa Bay’s depth better and think that Bishop is the better goaltender. Bolts in 7.
Dallas Stars vs. St. Louis Blues
Dave St. Louis finally got over the hump, beating the Blackhawks in round one. This whole Tarasenko playing time thing has me scared, but Dallas has no defense or goaltending. St. Louis in 7.
Kevin: St. Louis was the most impressive team in the first round to me by a good margin. The Blues look like they’ve learned from past mistakes and have the depth and balance to go the distance this spring. I think it’s too early for the Stars and they’re about to be exposed by the Blues in six.
Chris: This could be a high scoring series, given the Stars offense and the Blues depth. I love the idea of this series and think it’s pretty even which will be reflected by a bunch of one goal games. Both teams have their warts but I think the Stars offensive power wins out. Jamie Benn is a stud, and Spezza is having a rebirth of sorts. Stars in 7.
Becky: The Stars have no defense and lucked out with the Wild (sans Parise) in the first round, and even still were almost forced to a game 7. The Blues, finally out of their jinx years of losing in the first round, are stacked with talent and not just in the form of Vladimir Tarasenko. They are receiving scoring from across the board. Without a suitable defense, I think the Blues take care of the Stars pretty swiftly. Blues in 5.
Pat: The Stars have some serious firepower up front, but I think the Blues can definitely match them there, and after that it’s a question of defense/goaltending. In each department I’d have to go with the Blues. Blues in 6.
San Jose Sharks vs. Nashville Predators
Dave: Nashville is coming off a tough series, and San Jose has been resting for a while. I think this all comes down to goaltending, since the two are evenly matched on paper. San Jose in 6.
Kevin: Like St. Louis, San Jose turned heads with its domination of the Kings and the Sharks suddenly look like a real threat in the west. Meanwhile, the Predators will be coming in without much rest after a grueling series with the Ducks that went the distance. This one seems pretty even to me, but I’ll take the Sharks in seven.
Chris: The Sharks seem like a team destined for things this year. Their top players are playing to their ability, goaltending is solid and Brent Burns is a monster. I don’t see the Preds staying with the Sharks long. Sharks in 5.
Becky: The Predators got no respect for the first round, with many expecting their quick exit. The Predators handed the offensively loaded and second half winning Ducks a game 7 loss. Will the extent of that series take a toll? I don’t think so. I see them taking out the Sharks and making the WCF quite interesting. Preds in 6.
Pat: Definitely underestimated the Preds last go around, but for this one I still like the Sharks better. San Jose’s top guys (Pavelski, Thornton, Marleau) are just too good, but then again Nashville did handle Anaheim pretty deftly. This one’s gonna be close too I think, but I’m giving the edge to the Sharks. Sharks in 7.
What do you guys think?
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