Round 2 Predictions

Did we just see the best 1st round in Stanley Cup Playoff history?

It's a fair question. Everyone I have talked about hockey says the same thing, they can't believe how entertaining these playoffs have been.

The talk about the NHL playoffs have been rampant on Facebook & Twitter by hardcore and casual fans. And the drama off the ice has been just as good as play on the ice.

I'll have a recap this weekend about what happened in the 1st round but the 2nd round awaits so here are my picks for the Conference Semifinals. We'll start in the West.

Nashville vs. Vancouver:

Both teams had to conquer personal demons to get here.

The 3rd time was the charm as Vancouver finally got by Chicago while Nashville got past the 1st round for the first time in six tries.

Nashville game plan to beat Vancouver should be similar to their game plan against Anaheim, have their defense contain the top line of Vancouver and use your offense to expose their defense.

The only problem with that plan is Vancouver is a much deeper team than Nashville and is much better defensively.

The Predators will give Vancouver fits during the series but the Canucks have too much talent in the end.

Canucks in 6.

Detroit vs. San Jose:

This is the 1st of two semifinal rematches from last season.

Last year Detroit played a grueling seven games series against Phoenix before playing San Jose and it cost them as the Sharks won the 1st three games of the series en route to a 4-1 series win.

This year Detroit swept Phoenix and will have had nine days off before they play the Sharks. Henrik Zetteberg returns from a knee injury and will make his 1st post-season appearance in this series.

So why do I like the Sharks in this one?

I think they match up very well with the Red Wings. They have three very good lines that can score. Their goaltending is much improved with Antti Niemi in net.

I watch San Jose & I see a different Sharks team than in years past. No one has mentioned this year how they always come up short in the playoffs. It's like they are under the radar. They won three overtime games against Los Angeles they would have lost in past years.

The Sharks went 3-1 against Detroit in the regular season and they know they can play with them. It won't be easy and they will have to play better than they did against the Kings but I believe the Sharks have the players to get the job done.

Sharks in 7.

Tampa Bay vs Washington:

Speaking of teams who look completely different that they have in years past here are your Washington Capitals.

They took care of New York in 5 games after having their last four post-season series go seven games each.

The Capitals are still dangerous on offense but they are much better defensively than previous seasons. Michal Neuvirth has the best GAA (1.38) in the playoffs and has given Washington the stability they have lacked in goal the last couple years.

As for Tampa Bay they stole a page from the Pittsburgh Penguins showing a lot of resiliency in rallying from a 3-1 deficit to win the series 4-3.

The Lightning have two good scoring lines that can match up with Washington & Dwayne Roloson gives them an edge in goal. But I don't think Tampa's defense will be enough to stop the offense of the Capitals.

Washington looks like a more complete team than they have been in previous years and they will move on to the conference finals.

Capitals in 6

Boston vs. Philadelphia:

When we saw these two meet last spring Philadelphia was becoming the 3rd team in NHL history to rally from a 3-0 deficit to win a series. It seems only fitting that both teams meet again a year later.

Both teams are coming off of difficult seven game series. The Flyers had to use three different goaltenders before they were able to advance past Buffalo while Boston had to win three overtime games to eliminate Montreal.

The Flyers are a deeper team up front. They have four good lines they can put on the ice in any situation. Their defense is one of the deepest in the NHL and that is without Chris Pronger who is just returning from a hand injury.

The one area the Bruins have an edge is in goal where Tim Thomas (2.25 GAA, .926 save percentage) has retaken his role as starting goaltender. I feel better with him in net than I do the three headed monster (Brian Boucher, Sergei Bobrovsky, Michael Leighton) the Flyers use.

I think this series comes down to the health of Chris Pronger & the play of Philly's goaltending. If Pronger is healthy & the goaltending is serviceable the Flyers should take this series. If either one isn't what it is suppose to be then all bets are off.

Flyers in 7