Stanley Cup Playoffs 2015: Predictions and Analysis for Every 2nd-Round Series

With an exciting and competitive first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs nearly in the books, much of the focus has shifted toward the second-round matchups, which will determine the NHL's semifinalists.

Three of the four series are already set, and all of them feature some highly intriguing storylines that will add to the drama of playoff hockey. The level of performance and desperation tend to increase as the postseason progresses, which means the second round will be can't-miss television for sports fans.

As the first round nears its conclusion, here is a look at every second-round series that is in place along with predictions for who will reign supreme in each.

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Minnesota Wild

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The Western Conference's Central Division was arguably the NHL's toughest division in 2014-15. While it boasted several teams capable of making a run toward the Stanley Cup, only one of them will make it to the Western Conference Final.

That team will be either the Chicago Blackhawks or Minnesota Wild, both of whom knocked off divisional rivals in the first round despite being at a disadvantage in terms of home ice. The Blackhawks vanquished the Nashville Predators in six games while the Wild upset the division-winning St. Louis Blues in six as well.

Both the Blackhawks and Wild have everything needed to win a Stanley Cup, and it can be argued that the winner of their series deserves to be called the favorite to do precisely that. With such high stakes and so much potential bad blood built up between these two teams, it promises to be an incredible stretch of hockey games.

In addition to all the regular-season games these teams have played against each other, they also have built up quite the playoff rivalry in recent years, according to Michael Russo of the Star Tribune:

Chicago went 3-2 against Minnesota during the regular season, and it has also eliminated the Wild from the playoffs in each of the past two seasons. Because of that, the Blackhawks figure to have the mental edge.

Where they may be at a disadvantage, though, is between the pipes. Chicago alternated between Corey Crawford and Scott Darling at goalie in the first round and has ultimately settled on Crawford for Game 1 of the second round, per the team's official Twitter account:

Crawford replaced a struggling Darling in Game 6 and picked up the win in relief, but it was his poor play earlier in the series that caused him to lose his starting spot in the first place. Even so, Crawford is ready for the next challenge, according to ESPN.com's Scott Powers:

"

I think I've answered enough questions about (the first round). It's done. It's done. We're moving on. Me and Scotty (Darling) are both pushing each other. We want to push each other to be at our best. We're just going to do the same thing we did all year.

"

The Wild have had no such concerns in goal since acquiring Devan Dubnyk from the Arizona Coyotes. He posted a 2.32 goals-against average in the first round against St. Louis and could be the key to Minnesota's success moving forward.

With that said, the Blackhawks have Cup-winning experience throughout the roster with players such as Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa, Patrick Sharp, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. They will be pushed to the limit by a deep Wild team, but they'll ultimately find a way to prevail in seven games.

New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals

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In the Eastern Conference, the one finalized second-round series already in place will feature the interesting dynamic of a great all-around team against a great individual player.

It can be argued that no team in the NHL is better at all three levels than the New York Rangers. They have an all-world goalie in Henrik Lundqvist, three strong defensive pairings and a great crop of forwards that can score at any time.

The Caps have some solid ancillary talent, but there is no denying the fact that their Stanley Cup hopes rest on the shoulders of three-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner Alexander Ovechkin. The Great Eight was the NHL's leading goal scorer once again during the regular season with 53 tallies, and he'll need to be spectacular in order for Washington to have a chance.

Based on the existing sample size from the regular season, the advantage is firmly on the side of the Blueshirts. Ovechkin averaged more than a goal per game against New York, but his Capitals prevailed in only one of four meetings, according to John Shannon of Sportsnet:

The Rangers are also well-rested after dispatching the Pittsburgh Penguins in five games while Washington needed all seven games to oust the New York Islanders in the first round.

One thing that could potentially work in the Capitals' favor is their familiarity with the Rangers. Per ESPN's John Buccigross, these two teams certainly aren't strangers as it relates to the playoffs over the past five years:

While Washington knows New York well, the Rangers understand the key to beating the Caps as well, and they have gotten the better of them more often than not.

Washington has a chance if supporting forwards like Nicklas Backstrom, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Joel Ward continue to contribute. However, they will also need goalie Braden Holtby to match King Henrik's level of play.

The Rangers simply need to carry on with what they have done all season long, and provided they are able to do that, they shouldn't have much trouble advancing to the Eastern Conference Final in five games.

Anaheim Ducks vs. Calgary Flames

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In what may be the best example of David vs. Goliath in the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Western Conference-leading Anaheim Ducks will meet the upstart Calgary Flames in the second round. Few could have predicted this matchup prior to the season, but it is suddenly a series that has piqued the interest of hockey fans.

A big reason for that is the fact that both teams have a never-say-die attitude. Anaheim overcame deficits entering the third period in each of the first three games in its first-round series against the Winnipeg Jets. Calgary trailed the Vancouver Canucks 3-0 in Game 6 of its first-round series only to come back to win that contest and the series.

As pointed out by Tom Gulitti of The Record, the possibility of a comeback will be present throughout this second-round series:

The Flames have done some incredible things thanks largely to the play of young forwards such as Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan and Sam Bennett. The Ducks, on the other hand, have relied on steady, experienced veterans up front like Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Ryan Kesler.

There is no doubt that Anaheim has the experience edge, but it also may have a mental advantage due to its dominance against the Flames on home ice, according to ESPN Stats & Info:

Provided that holds true to form, the Ducks are in great shape since they hold home-ice advantage in this series. Also, as the only team to score a sweep in the first round, Anaheim should be quite fresh entering the series.

It wouldn't be wise to count out Calgary since it has somehow managed to defy the odds and has the feel of a team of destiny, but Anaheim's size, physicality and veteran presence will prove to be too much in a series that will go six games.

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