NHL Playoffs: Third Round Predictions.

2. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. No. 6 Philadelphia Flyers

Pittsburgh enters this matchup as a huge favorite. Philadelphia has played extremely well to get to where they are. They took advantage of shaky rookie goaltending by Carey Price and Jaroslav Halak in the second round. Things shouldn't be so easy against Marc-Andre Fleury. 

The Penguins faced one of the hottest goalies in the NHL playoffs and won in five games. Henrik Lundqvist stood on his head for the New York Rangers but didn't get much help from the rest of his team outside of Jaromir Jagr, Brandon Dubinsky, and a select few others.  his is going to be an intense rivalry series. Marc-Andre Fleury can keep up his amazing play the Penguins should take the series.  Pittsburgh needs to exploit Philadelphia's weak defense, and get  Biron out of position.  The more shots the better. 

Pittsburgh in seven games.

Detroit enters this series looking unbeatable, while Dallas has already knocked off two of the three western conference favorites.  The Red Wings got most of their scoring from three players: Henrik Zetterberg, Johan Franzen and Pavel Datsyuk.  Dallas got scoring help throughout their lineup, but their real strong point is in goaltender Marty Turco. 

He will have to play just as well as he did in the opening two rounds if Dallas wants any chance of knocking off Detroit.  The Red Wings knocked off Nashville in six games, then swept Colorado in the second round.  Franzen finished the series with nine goals.  Zetterberg scored a highlight reel goal in game five helping seal the game and the series.  Chris Osgood has looked solid, but it helps when you only face 15-20 shots a game. 

Dallas will need to put a lot of pressure on Detroit's defense and Chris Osgood.  Detroit will need to expose Dallas' young defense, and try to solve Marty Turco.  Dallas' ex-factor is Brenden Morrow, if he can cause havoc like he did against San Jose, Dallas could pull off the upset. 

Detroit in 6 games.