NHL Playoffs Picks, Round Two: Penguins, Bruins, Ducks, Blackhawks
Most of our bracket is still alive, and both Game Seven losses were destined to fall in the next round anyway so we’re in great shape if anyone followed for their office pools. We also hit three series lengths exactly, and would have had four if the Sharks pulled through. All in all we nailed the first round, but it only gets harder from here.
New York Rangers Vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh reminds me a lot of a cat playing with a mouse. Sure, they could kill it rather easily, but it’s more fun to come out of your net with a one-goal lead in the final 20 seconds, misplay the puck, go to overtime and lose on the first shot from the blue line. The cat often lets the mouse get away and rarely seems to care, but I’d rather be the cat than the mouse here. Pittsburgh has three of the top ten offensive weapons in the game, a solid group of defensemen, and a liability in net. That’s a volatile recipe for playoff disaster and Henrik Lundqvist is a solid goalie. Still, I’m taking talent here.
Penguins in Five
Boston Bruins Vs Montreal Canadiens
The Habs have a hot goalie, which makes them a very dangerous team. Still, the depth and experience of the Bruins blows them away in the long term. Montreal is going to be tired of getting hit when this series ends, and I think that’s all that matters. The Bell Centre is a tough place to play, but I’m on Boston to win a tight series here. This is one of my favorite rivalries in sports and it’s sure to be a doozy. I just think the depth, consistency, experience, and physicality is too much for an upstart Habs team that got lucky when Ben Bishop missed the first round.
Bruins in seven
Anaheim Ducks vs LA Kings
And so ends our perfect bracket, but I’m never as sharp with teams out west as I am in the east. I admit that. Still, we’re in great shape for a Ducks Hawks final out west. I think the Kings are exhausted. Quick has found his stride, but Anaheim is so explosive that it might not matter. I think they’re a lot like the Sharks, which makes me nervous, but I fully expect the Kings to be fatigued for this series. I don’t think LA has to offense to go toe to toe with Anaheim. LA is hot, so this is scary, but I’m sticking with my prediction that the better team will prevail. Hopefully the Kings won’t bust my bracket again like they did when they beat my Devils in the Cup.
Ducks in six
Chicago Blackhawks vs Minnesota Wild
I don’t think the Wild are very good. Goaltending wins Cups, and the Wild sorely lack in that department. The Avalanche went ice cold so Minny advanced. Big deal. Chicago is dominant, deep, and experienced. They’ll take care of business here.
Blackhawks in five.
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