NHL 2009 Playoff Previews: Round Two Predictions

Player of the First Round: Simeon Varlamov (G, Washington Capitals) (Pictured Above)

After Tuesday night's exciting Game Seven finishes in New Jersey and Washington, with the Caps and Canes coming out winners, the hockey world here on B/R has been rocked with second round predictions.

There are the picks that continue to go with the seedings, and the ones that base themselves completely on last round's results. Also included are biased picks and the usual "I feel like being unusual today" articles, covered by radical upset picks across the board.

However, even with the addition of my latest Eastern Conference Second Round picks (written here), it's not really the predictions that matter. It's the actual games. And that's the way it should be, no matter how crazy us Bleacher Creatures go.

(6) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (1) Boston Bruins

The Hurricanes, looking like a terrific team in their sensational late-series comeback to defeat three-seed New Jersey earlier this week, goes to Boston to face the top-seeded Bruins, coming off a completely uncontested sweep of Montreal.

Game-by-Game Picks

Game One...Carolina 4, Boston 2 (CAR leads 1-0)

Game Two...Carolina 1, Boston 3 (series tied 1-1)

Game Three...Boston 3, Carolina 2 (BOS leads 2-1)

Game Four....Boston 1, Carolina 2 (OT) (series tied 2-2)

Game Five....Carolina 0, Boston 3 (BOS leads 3-2)

Game Six...Boston 4, Carolina 3 (BOS wins 4-2)

As you can see, I have Carolina coming out of the gate with a victory in Boston in Game One caused by their momentum from the first round, yet eventually being worn out by the higher-class Bruins.

Deciding Point: Game Five

Total Goals Scored: 28

Series Prediction: Boston Bruins win series, 4-2

(4) Pittsburgh Penguins vs (2) Washington Capitals

The fourth-seeded Penguins enter this series coming off a sensational comeback in Game Six against Philadelphia, after trailing 3-0, to win the series. However, they face the high-flying Capitals, who rebounded from a 3-1 series deficit against New York to eventually win on aging yet still talented Sergei Federov's goal late in the third period of Game Seven.

Game-by-Game Prediction

Game One...Pittsburgh 2, Washington 5 (WAS leads series, 1-0)

Game Two...Pittsburgh 3, Washington 4 (WAS leads series, 2-0)

Game Three...Washington 2, Pittsburgh 3 (OT) (WAS leads series, 2-1)

Game Four...Washington 1, Pittsburgh 4 (series tied, 2-2)

Game Five...Pittsburgh 4, Washington 5 (WAS leads series, 3-2)

Game Six...Washington 3, Pittsburgh 5 (series tied, 3-3)

Game Seven...Pittsburgh 2, Washington 3 (OT) (WAS wins series, 4-3)

As you read above, I have the Capitals coming out of the gate strong with two impressive home victories. However, the talented Penguins come back to tie it up with two home wins of their own. But, in the end, Washington's many stars will win the series for them, which will end in a dramatic Game Seven overtime.

Deciding Point: Game Five (once again)

Total Goals Scored: 43

Series Prediction: Washington wins series, 4-3

Projected Eastern Conference Finals:

(2) Washington Capitals vs. (1) Boston Bruins

Finally, as a side note, feel free to post your predictions on the commenting section below. If enough results are compiled, I may be able to hold a mini-second round pool.