NHL Playoffs: Seven Out Of Eight First-Round Predictions Ain't Bad

For some time there, I was scared that my predictions from the first round (not published here) would not come true. Some teams we're really scaring me. The only game I did not predict right the first round was Washington and Philly. But I did call that it would go the distance, which it did.

Can lightning strike twice? (Not in Tampa). Let's look at the second round.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Rangers. What scares me about these two teams is they are both rested. New York had an edge 5-3 in the season series. This series could very well come out with the Stanley Cup winner. Any other year I would call it a walk in the park because of how the Rangers fall apart about this time every year. This year that does not seem to be the case. These two teams play some really close games that are always fun to watch. 

The big story is Jagr may be retiring at the end of this season from the NHL (and playing in his home country.) Pittsburgh is the team that Jagr enjoyed the most success and notoriety with. It will be interesting to see what emotions rise from Jagr, especially if he loses to the team who, in my opinion, turned him into the cash monster he is today.

Prediction: Penguins in 7, but it really is a coin-flip. This series will come down to who wins that one game on the road.

 Montreal and Philly

I gave Montreal too much credit in the first round. They can be defeated, and the Flyers could be the bastards to do it. Both teams are coming off of highly emotional Game 7s. If you want to just analyze that, Philly should have the advantage early on because they won a tougher battle. But then again, there was a riot in Montreal. So you have two savage teams playing in two savage venues ready to beat each other to literal death to get to the next round.

I'm going with Philly in 7, just because its the new wave of the Broad Street Bullies. They are a tougher team than Montreal, and will be able to gain the upper hand.

 WEST

 Detroit and Colorado

Colorado's old formula to success has worked so far, but what does putting Osgood in over Hasek do for both teams? First off, I'm surprised Hasek hasn't either blown up something or went back to the Czech already. He is suppose to be the go to guy. And the back up (whom was an all star this year) is now getting the nod to lead Detroit to success. 

Meanwhile, Colorado brought back their old geezers as well in Forsberg and such. It's the classic bloodbath. The ol Roy flies down the ice and attempts to murder you. Who wins?

 Detroit in 6. Osgood is glad to be back on top, and he will play like it. How good Detroit's goalie is in this series will decide how they play. Detroit will score, they just have to let up less than Colorado does.

San Jose and Dallas

Dallas kills the champs, San Jose barely advances in a series where they should have dominated. Does San Jose play harder now that they have new life, or does Dallas ride the momentum from killing the defending champs with their label of chokers.

Game 7 Coin Flip. These division rivals will go toe to toe and to Game 7. Whoever wins this series will beat Detroit and advance to the finals, that I promise

It is the most wonderful time of the year. Back to work now.