NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: Predictions for the Second Round of the Postseason

For the first time in franchise history, the Nashville Predators:

a) won a playoff game in overtime,

b) won a Game 5, and

c) won a playoff series.

Maybe this is their year.

However, the competition is going to be steep.

The Red Wings are red hot after beating Phoenix.

San Jose beat LA, but need to perform better in the Tank.

And, yes Vancouver fans, I was wrong, your little 'Nucks survived a scare and defeated the 'Hawks in overtime with an outstanding OT win (I'm sorry for picking on them).

Out East, the Lightning shocked the NHL community by beating Pittsburgh.

Boston and Montreal predictably had a grind-it-out series (like SJ, Boston needs to start winning at home), Philly got past a pesky Buffalo team (I loved the unis in this series), and Washington rolled over New York.

In the following segment, I will tell you who will advance to the Conference Finals.

Enjoy!

Eastern Conference

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 13: Chris Kunitz #14 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates his empty net goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Consol Energy Center on Ap

On the first teams to be eliminated:

Pittsburgh Penguins:

I'll be honest, I'm kinda pulling for the Lightning in the East. They've got a large arena full of passionate fans and with new renovations and a revamped look next year, this team is establishing itself as a force in the Southeast Division.

However, I was saddened to see the Pens lose. This team showed a lot of resolve to win without Crosby and Malkin. Pittsburgh could easily have gone onto the next round without both players. Expect a lot from this team next year should Crosby and Malkin stay healthy.

New York Rangers:

This is a solid team that just could not find the net when it counted. They've got a great foundation to build on going forward.

Not having Ryan Callahan hurt this team, but ultimately Marian Gaborik did not perform like he should have and this team came up short.

Buffalo Sabres:

Philly is a team I could see winning it all this year. Buffalo looked good at times, especially Ryan Miller, but the Flyers were just the better team.

It's rough to see the Sabres go out in the first round twice in a row. Hopefully the team will be more active in the offseason next year.

Montreal Canadiens:

This series was a dogfight between two classic teams. Every game I saw was everything I, or any hockey fan, could expect from both teams.

Like Buffalo, Montreal ran into a team that could easily represent the East in the Finals. In the offseason the Habs need to add a little size up front.

No. 1 Washington Capitals vs. No. 5 Tampa Bay Lightning

Greg Fiume/Getty Images

WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 26: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning is checked by Karl Alzner #27 of the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center on November 26, 2010 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

This is the first step towards creating a rivalry between these two teams.

While the Pens and Caps, two older teams (Penguins: 1967, Capitals: 1974), have developed a dislike for one another, the Tampa/Washington matchup could turn into the first bona fide Southeast rivalry.

The Panthers may share the state of Florida with the Bolts, but the Cats are years from being competitive and they may get lost in the mix in Miami with LeBron arriving for the Heat and a new stadium going up for the Florida Marlins.

The Lightning are committed to winning and have a large arena (the Ice Palace holds 19,758) that will be undergoing $35 million in renovations next year and should fill up like it used to after the team won it all in 2004.

Since Bruce Boudreau took over in Washington, this team has been the class of the Southeast division.

Expect Tampa to challenge their dominance in this series.

Washington may have Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom, but the Lightning have superstars of their own in Steven Stamkos, Martin St. Louis, and Vincent Lecavalier.

The Bolts beat a great defensive team in Pittsburgh in the last series. They'll surprise the NHL community by beating another in this series.

Prediction: Lightning in six

No. 2 Philadelphia Flyers vs. No. 3 Boston Bruins

Elsa/Getty Images

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 13: Claude Giroux #28 of the Philadelphia Flyers wraps around the net as Johnny Boychuk #55 of the Boston Bruins defends on January 13, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Both of these teams played seven-game series and are not afraid of facing adversity to get to the next round.

Danny Briere has been outstanding for the Flyers and James van Riemsdyk has come into his own in the playoffs.

Zdeno Chara has been bruising bodies, and Nathan Horton proved to be a valuable pickup for the team in the offseason (especially with his Game 7 winner).

The Flyers have been here before and Boston can't score on the power play (0/33 in the first series).

The Bruins take one in Boston, but that's it.

Prediction: Flyers in five

Western Conference

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 17: (L-R) Patrick Kane #88, Brian Campbell #51, Nick Leddy #8, Chris Campoli and Corey Crawford #50 of the Chicago Blackhawks head down the tunnel to the locker room after a loss to the Vancouver Canucks in Game Three of the Western Co

On the first teams to be eliminated:

Chicago Blackhawks:

The Hawks showed they were a proud team... unfortunately it came three games too late.

They dug themselves into a deep hole and no team is going to come back 0-3 against the President's Trophy-winning Canucks.

Fortunately for the people of Chicago, the Bulls have a chance to take the NBA Championship while the Blackhawks look to get back to where they were last year.

Los Angeles Kings:

I expected a lot more from this team this year. They were committed to defense and Terry Murray is a proven winner.

The absence of Anze Kopitar hurt this team, but Ryan Smyth was scrappy as ever and this team's defensive prowess (especially Drew Doughty, Jack Johnson, and Willie Mitchell) made up for their lack of depth at center.

Next year, this team will get out of the first round.

Phoenix Coyotes:

Dave Tippett did a great job getting this team to the playoffs again this year (he's 7/8 in playoff appearances in his career), but this team was clearly overwhelmed by the Wings.

I know the people of Phoenix showed up for the games in white, but I don't see a lot of interest in hockey in Arizona. While I believe a winning team will put butts in the seats everywhere in America, Canada deserves a seventh team and Winnipeg is deserving.

Anaheim Ducks:

While I would love to see the Pond fill up more frequently, I have heard plenty from loyal fans like Ron Thompson all year and I always hate to see die-hard hockey fans disappointed.

The Ducks had the best line in hockey (Selanne-Perry-Getzlaf) and will probably be back next year. Hopefully this season helped convince people in Anaheim that hockey is back in The OC.

No. 1 Vancouver Canucks vs. No. 5 Nashville Predators

Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 29: Henrik Sedin #33 of the Vancouver Canucks skates against David Legwand #11 of the Nashville Predators on March 29, 2011 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)

This matchup features two franchises that are trying to set a precedent this year.

Recently, the Canucks have a reputation for choking in the second round and, with one of the NHL's deepest teams, are predicted to break through this year and win it all.

In six of the past seven years, the Predators have been in the playoffs, but this is the first time in their 12-year history that the team has gone on to the second round.

The Canucks almost let a 3-0 lead against Chicago slip and were a slip-up in overtime from becoming the fourth team in NHL history to lose four straight after winning the first three.

With their star-power and depth many will have the 'Nucks winning this series in four or five.

However, there is something special about this year's team in Nashville.

They have my Jack Adams winner in Barry Trotz and the same heart and soul that the aspiring musicians of Nashville use to make it big in the Music City.

Prediction: Predators in six

No. 2 San Jose Sharks vs. No. 3 Detroit Red Wings

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SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 3: Ryane Clowe #29 and Logan Couture #39 of the San Jose Sharks looks to get the puck away from Valtteri Filppula #51 of the Detroit Red Wings in the second period of an NHL hockey game at the HP Pavilion on March 3, 2011 in San Jose,

For the fifth time in NHL history, the Sharks and Red Wings will meet each other in the playoffs.

In 1994, the Sharks became the NHL's first No. 8 seed to upset a No. 1 seed when they beat Detroit in seven games.

Detroit won the last two meetings, in 1995 (4-0 sweep) and in 2007 (4-2).

Last season the Sharks eliminated the Wings in five.

The Red Wings have been consistent all season long and were just nudged out of the two-seed by the Sharks late in the season.

Detroit is well-rested after sweeping Phoenix in the first round and San Jose has also in the Bay Area.

However, Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau came off the milk carton against LA and, as long as San Jose can win at home, they should be in good shape after coming off an emotional series against their Californian rivals.

Prediction: Sharks in six