LOS ANGELES – The first round went by the chalk. It means everyone in the second round deserves to be there. For the first time ever, all four teams in the second round have over hundred points. The sixty-day war rages on. 
Atlantic Division –
The Tampa Bay Lightning looked the team they were the first three fourths of the season. The best team in hockey. The Lightning defeated the New Jersey Devils in five games. Nikita Kucherov looked like the Hart Trophy winner. He scored and played the body with devastating effects. When Kucherov and Steven Stamkos weren’t lighting the lamp, Tampa’s secondary scorers ( Ondrej Palat, Alex Killorn, Tyler Johnson) were. Victor Hedman looked like the Norris Trophy winner. He was everywhere on the ice. Vasilevskly looked like the Vezina Trophy winner. The New Jersey Devils have no reason to hang their heads. They just played a superior team. Devils fans can lament the fact Keith Kincaid started the series in net over Cory Schneider but it would not have made a difference.
The Boston Bruins needed all seven games to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Bruins won the first two games of the series. The Bruins top line of Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak put on a clinic. The Bruin then took their feet off the gas. Toronto got their legs and confidence. Toronto’s goaltender Frederick Andersen made some ridiculous saves. The Bruins needed four goals in the third period of Game Seven to escape. Rookie Jake DeBrusk saved the Bruin’s bacon. Tuukka Rask was shaky in the Bruin’snet. Mitch Marner was the Leafs best player. The Leafs needed more from Auston Matthews. Why isn’t he on the top power play?They also need another top four defensemen. The Bruins depth on defense was the difference in this series.
I originally picked the Bruins to come out of East. I’m changing my mind. The Lightning are rested. The Lightning are a much better team than the Maple Leafs. A shaky Rask will not get in done against Tampa. LIGHTNING in 7
Metropolitan Division –
The two-time defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins eliminated their hated cross state rival Philadelphia Flyers in six games. The Penguins put on an offensive show led by Sidney Crosby. Crosby owns the Flyers. All the Penguins forwards peppered the Flyers array of mediocre goaltenders. Jake Guentzel had a legendary performance in Game Six. The Penguins special teams were outstanding, especially their maligned penalty kill. Brian Dumoulin and Olli Maatta had stellar series on the backend. Kris Letang did not. Letang needs to play better especially when he matches up against Alexander Ovechin. Matt Murray will also need to play better to beat the Capitals.
The Washington Capitals rebounded from losing the first two home games to beat the Columbus Blue Jackets in six games. The Capitals are a mentally tougher team this year. Alexander Ovechin made a guarantee and backed it up. The Capitals received timely goals from stars like Nik Backstrom and role players like Devante Smith-Pelly. Braden Holtby did not start the series but finished with 4 straight wins to reclaim his crease.
The Penguins under Head Coach Mike Sullivan have not lost a playoff series. If Evgeni Malkin and Carl Hagelin can’t play due to injury his streak will be severely tested. Malkin is one of the five best players in the world. Hagelin is the Penguins’ best fore checker and penalty killer. The Capitals are not as top heavy upfront as they used to be. Their talent is spread throughout all twelve forwards. Their defense is weaker than past years.The Blue Jackets could not exploit them. The Penguins can. How can you bet against Sidney Crosby? I can’t. PENGUINS in 7
Central Division-
The Nashville Predators began their quest for a return to the Stanley Cup Finals by beating the Colorado Avalanche in six games. The Predators never seemed to be in doubt of losing the series. It should not have taken them six games to win it. Stick taps to the Avalanche for playing hard. After the Nathan MacKinnon line the Avs aren’t very talented. The Avalanche were also dealing with a rash of injuries. The Predators know the need to play better to advance. Filip Forsberg had a few highlight reel goals but Austin Watson led Nashville in scoring. Nashville’s defense and goaltending were solid but Colorado was limited offensively.
The Winnipeg Jets discarded the Minnesota Wild in five games. The Jets handled their business in an efficient manner. Goaltender Conor Hellebuyck rebounded from his only loss in the series with a shutout. The Jets offense received contributions from everyone. Stars and role players got on the board. The inured riddled defense smothered the Wild. They moved the puck and bodies with ease. The Wild played hard but were undermanned. Wild defensman Matt Dumba acquitted himself quite well. After series GM Chuck Fletcher was canned. The firing proved the Wild could not match up against the Jets.
The Jets are rocketing to the top of the NHL. The Predators played round one like they’re entitled to that position. The Predators had difficulty handling the Avalanche offense at times. The Avs are a one line team. The Jets come in waves. This will be a high scoring series. Each goaltender will have to be mentally tough. They will need to have an ability to overcome goals and losses. I’ll take Hellebuyck over Rinne. Jets in 6
Pacific Division –
The Vegas Golden Knights incredible season continues. The Knights swept the Los Angeles Kings. Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury put on a dazzling performance, when he was tested. The Kings problem was he was rarely tested. The Knights defense refused to the Kings’ forwards space. The Kings forecheck never materialized. Fleury didn’t have to fight threw any traffic. The Kings received no offense from their defense. The Kings bottom two lines are old and slow with almost no skill. Alex Iafalo was a healthy scratch. Kyle Clifford played. What a joke. A stupid move. Iafalo led the Kings resurgence this year. He ignited the Kings top line with Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. The Kings top line competed in this series. The 70’s line didn’t. Jeff Carter, Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli no showed. Rookie Adrian Kempe played with fire but no scoring touch. All World defenseman Drew Doughty played horribly. He let the Knights fourth line knock him around and get under his skin, So much so he got himself suspended for a game. The other three Vegas lines swarmed the Kings. Gerard Gallant’s merry band of expendables scored like they did in the regular season. Everyone contributed. Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick played well but had no chance.
As pathetic as the Kings were their SoCal buddies the Anaheim Ducks were worse. The San Jose Sharks swept them. Evander Kane flexed his muscles and scored two goals in game one. The Ducks never recovered. The once formidable Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry looked like shadows of their former selves. Perry looked down right sad when he tried to get physical. Richard Rakell was the only Duck who had a pulse. All four Sharks lines controlled play in the Ducks zone. The Ducks defense missed Cam Fowler ( injured) and Sami Vatanen ( traded) offense. The Sharks defense had Brent Burns. It’s disturbing Ducks goaltender John Gibson played every game in net and they still got swept.
I picked the Kings and the Ducks and they didn’t win a combined game , so what do I know. I will ride the sizzling hot goaltender and Cinderella’s carriage. KNIGHTS in 7
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