NHL Playoff Predictions 2012: Second-Round Series Set to Go 7 Games

We all want the series that goes seven games, chock full of drama, intensity and some darn good playoff hockey along the way.

And we'll get some in the second round, even if two teams don't play ball.

It's hard to imagine anyone taking the Los Angeles Kings a full seven games at this point. They already lead the St. Louis Blues 2-0, and they won both games in St. Louis, where the Blues were nearly impossible to beat this year. Look for the hot Kings to wrap things up in six.

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Flyers are coming off an ugly 4-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils, evening the series at one-game apiece. But the Flyers have shown to have an unparalleled amount of offensive depth in these playoffs, and if they play their game, they're too good for the Devils.

The Flyers will also take this series in six.

But two other series look destined to go the full seven. Let's take a closer look at these epic matchups destined to go down to the wire.

Phoenix Coyotes vs. Nashville Predators

Things looked bleak for Nashville. They trailed 2-0 in the series heading home, and they were going into a pivotal Game 3 without Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn, who had each been suspended one game for violating a team curfew.

So all they did was go out and win Game 3, 2-0.

I picked Nashville as my Stanley Cup winners before the postseason began, and I'm not ready to give up on them just yet. With Pekka Rinne capable of stealing several games in any series and one of the most balanced teams in the playoffs, the Predators are not to be taken lightly.

I think they'll win this series yet.

Prediction: Nashville in seven.

New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals

Here's a fun stat for you: Nine of the 10 games the Capitals have played in this postseason have been decided by one goal, five of them coming in overtime.

Don't expect them to allow the Rangers to get to comfortable in this series despite trailing 2-1.

Goalie Braden Holtby has been a revelation, the Capitals have rediscovered defensive acumen and, despite the odd circumstances surrounding his playing time and role on the team, Alex Ovechkin has done his part.

But the Rangers are a deep, disciplined team led by all-world goalie Henrik Lundqvist. They're going to make the Capitals scratch and claw for everything they get in this series.

In the end, the Capitals will scratch and claw their way to three wins. But the fourth will elude them.

Prediction: New York in seven.

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