First, in the spirit of holding myself accountable, here’s how I did in the first round…
WSH/TOR – My call? Caps in five. Correct… in the winner, but I expected things to be MUCH easier on Washington
MTL/NYR – My call? Habs in six. Wrong… They did not get the secondary scoring they needed, or primary for that matter.
OTT/BOS – My call? Sens in seven. Correct in the winner, I called out playoff coaching experience as an x-factor and I think it had an impact.
PIT/CBJ – My call? Blue Jackets in six. Wrong… yup I drank the Jacket kool-aid
ANA/CGY – My call? Ducks in five. Correct, but even my estimation undervalued the Ducks.
EDM/SJS – My call? Oilers in seven. Correct, this was an easy one as the Sharks were too banged up.
MIN/STL – My call? Wild in six. OK, I was wrong… but I did qualify the call with an “unless Dubnyk falters” which he did.
CHI/NSH – My call? Preds in six. Even my gold-tinted glasses didn’t see a sweep coming.
So, not bad… 5-3 overall… so here we go with round two
Eastern Conference
Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins – This is the one everyone has been waiting for; two rivals that have a well-documented disdain for each other. While these teams have been fairly evenly matched in the regular season, Pittsburgh has dominated in the playoffs… the Pens own an 8-1 record in playoff series... something that the Caps want to change… badly. After surviving a first round scare from Toronto, Washington comes in a little more battle hardened, while Pittsburgh easily swatted aside the Blue Jackets.
X-Factor – For Pittsburgh, it’s Marc-Andre Fluery. If he stays on track, he is going to make life hell for the Capitals. Washington’s x-factor is Tom Wilson… if he can get under the Pens skin, then make them pay, like he did to the Leafs… this could be a short series.
How Can the Underdog Win? - The defending Stanley Cup champ is the underdog here? Nah… there is no underdog in this series.
Prediction - Caps in five… Pittsburgh’s defensive depletion finally comes back to bite them.
Ottawa Senators vs New York Rangers – These teams have only met once in the post-seson, with the Rangers owning the lone victory back in 2012. The Rangers are on a bit of a roll, riding Henrik Lunqvist to a come from behind victory in their series against Montreal. The Senators took down the Boston Bruins in six and continue to be the dark horse in this tournament.
X-Factor – For Ottawa, it’s Erik Karlsson… now come on… how can I call Karlsson the x-factor? Well, he became one when he revealed that he is paying with not one… but two hairline fractures in his left heel. If he can continue to overcome the impact of this injury and munch the minutes like he did in round one… it will have a HUGE impact on the Sens. For the Rangers, it’s Chris Krieder. After a rather poor first round, he needs to get his playoff game back, fast, or Ottawa could steamroll this team.
How Can the Underdog Win? - The Rangers are officially the underdog here, but they finished the regular season with 102 points while Ottawa only had 98. The Rangers win by being able to continue to roll four lines and grind the Sens down, the Senators win by maintaining their disciplined game and frustrate the Rangers into taking silly penalties.
Prediction - I’m sticking with the dark horse – Senators in seven
Western Conference
Anaheim Ducks vs Edmonton Oilers – Anaheim took down Calgary so fast is wasn’t even funny and Edmonton made short work of a Sharks team that was hobbled by injuries… so what do we know about these teams. Well… they have only met once in the playoffs… 2006 when the Oilers went on their last run to the Finals. The Ducks look to have found themselves after a last month run that captured the division title. Edmonton has been up and down, but one thing we know… they can play speed and they can play physical. This has the makings of a classic.
X-Factor – For the Ducks, it is Cam Fowler. He has resumed practice after knee injury sidelined him for the first round, but the curative power of playoffs is strong. Fowler will be a much needed augmentation to the Anaheim defensive corps. For Edmonton, Patrick Maroon could be the x-factor for them. His physical game lines up well with other big bodies like Milan Lucic and Zack Kassian.
How Can the Underdog Win? - Edmonton is the underdog here, simply because of this being the team’s first playoff appearance since bouncing the Ducks in ’06 and making that magical run to the finals. If they can match Anaheim’s physicality, and take advantage of the undisciplined play that the Ducks exhibit regularly, they have a very good chance.
Prediction -Oilers in six. Edmonton has the versatility to win.
St. Louis Blues vs Nashville Predators – The Predators have been around since 1998, and this is the first time they have met the Blues in the playoffs. I keep using the phrase “gutter war” for this series… it may not have a winner, but it will have a survivor. I expect a highly physical series, with each team trying to goad the other into unnecessary penalties. Both teams have additions that may help them tremendously, Vladimir Slobotka returned from the KHL and had an immediate impact for the Blues. The Preds may get Colin Wilson back for round two. Everyone is pointing at the goaltenders, Allen vs. Rinne… both had gaudy stats in round one, but the real story is going to be the bluelines of these teams, arguably two of the best top four’s in the league.
X-Factor – For St. Louis it is Colton Paraygo, the big blueliner can play fast and physical… if he is able to bring his A game, it could be a very long series for Nashville. For the Predators, it’s Colin Wilson… reports from practice have him flying on the ice with very little if any residual from his injury. If “Playoff Colin” is in town, the Blues may be in trouble.
How Can the Underdog Win? - After the sweep, some have trouble calling Nashville the underdog, especially when you look at the pundits trying to wipe the egg off their faces from their first round predictions. Make no mistake… Nashville is the underdog in this series. So how do they win? Roll four lines constantly, play within the Laviolette system that uses speed, possession and excellent defensive execution. Do that… and the Predators make their first ever conference final.
Prediction - {In Mr. T voice} Prediction??? …. Pain… {Mr. T voice /off} … but seriously, the wave is starting and Nashville rides it and wins this series in six.
There you have it! We have much, much more on SlapShot Radio’s Round Two preview show, tonight at 7pm on 102.5 the Game… you can listen live on thegamenashville.com … Pete Weber and I welcome Chris Kerber, the radio voice of the St. Louis Blues and former NHL ref, Kerry Frasier.
Join us at 7pm…
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The gauntlet has been thrown down from my fellow blogger in St. Louis, Jason Millen. We will make a small wager on this series… losing team’s blogger makes a donation to the winning team’s blogger charity of choice…
Mine will be Best Buddies of Tennessee… a charity very familiar to fans of the fang…
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Round Two
Eastern Conference
NYR vs OTT – Game one is Thursday in Ottawa
WSH vs PIT – Game one is Thursday in Washington
Western Conference
STL vs. NSH – Game one is tomorrow in St. Louis
ANA vs. EDM – Game one is tomorrow in Anaheim
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