The NHL Playoffs: the sports gods' way of forgiving us for making the NBA Playoffs so boring. Every round is unbelievably intense, the teams are extremely competitive, the ice looks glorious in HD, the crowds are awesome, and it just keeps getting better each round. Here we are, second round, and the matchups are fantastic for the most part. Without further ado, round two picks:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Boston Bruins vs. (6) Carolina Hurricanes-The Canes have really been hot recently, and had a miraculous comeback in Game 7 against the New Jersey Devils to move on to the second round. This Hurricanes team is exciting, but it will be no match for the Bruins, who just dominated the Montreal Canadiens like no other. By the way, I can't stand the Canadiens. Besides the fact that most of their fans are annoying and bandwagon, they boo the American national anthem. So yeah, it is their one hundredth anniversary, but I'm glad they were shellacked by the Boston Bruins. In your face, French Canada.
THE PICK: BRUINS IN 5
(2) Washington Capitals vs. (4) Pittsburgh Penguins-The league has to love this matchup between Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, obviously two of the best players in the league (Ovechkin is the best by the way....there is absolutely no argument for Crosby). The Caps snuck through Round One with a spectacular comeback against the New York Rangers, a crappy but gritty team with an unbelievable goalie. This matchup may actually be a bit better for the Caps. Although the Pens are better than the Rangers, and more explosive, Marc-Andre Fleury does not pose nearly as many problems as Henrik Lundqvist. The Caps should be able to outscore the Penguins in this one. But it will be close.
THE PICK: CAPITALS IN 7
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(2) Detroit Red Wings vs. (8) Anaheim Ducks-The Anaheim "no longer mighty" Ducks come off a monster upset of the top seeded San Jose Sharks for this one, but now they have to play the defending champion Detroit Red Wings. The Wings are better than ever, and cruised to a round one victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Expect the Wings to dominate this series.
THE PICK: RED WINGS IN 5
(3) Vancouver Canucks vs. (4) Chicago Blackhawks-This series should be unbelievable. On one side, you have the well-balanced Canucks, with goalie Roberto Luongo. Luongo is clearly the best remaining goalie in the playoffs. On the flip side, the Blackhawks are an extremely talented young team on the rise, coming off a huge victory over the Calgary Flames. The Blackhawks, led by young star Patrick Kane, probably have too much firepower for the Canukcs in this series. The Hawks take it home, setting up a big-time rivalry matchup with the Red Wings.
THE PICK: BLACKHAWKS IN 6
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