NHL PLAYOFF PREVIEW: SECOND ROUND

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

(1) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (7) Ottawa Senators

The Skinny: The Pittsburgh Penguins were challenged in six games by the pesky New York Islanders, but ultimately came out on top. Marc-Andre Fleury was taken out in game 4 after a terrible start to the series. Backup Tomas Vokoun came in and won the final two games and closed the series down. While the Senators dismantled the Montreal Canadiens in five with superb goaltending and timely goals. Craig Anderson was the best goaltender in the first round by far and the Senators will need the same if they want to beat the Penguins. The young forwards for the Senators did a good enough job of creating space and capitalizing on their chances. The big storyline in this series is if the Penguins can regain their form that made them so dominant in the season. If they can’t then look for the Senators to take it the distance and possibly win the series and oh yeah, don’t forgot the Matt Cooke-Erik Karlsson storyline.

Penguins win if... Whomever plays goalie, plays well. I said in my predictions of round one that a good series against a good offensive team for Fleury would be huge down the road. Instead there are more questions about Fleury then ever. Pulled in favour for Tomas Vokoun after a horrendous game 4. Vokoun has taken the ropes and ran with it. He is (2-0) so far in the playoffs and has looked good. Sidney Crosby was quiet despite finishing with (3G, 6A), he will need to have a bigger impact for the Penguins to beat Anderson and take the series

Senators win if... Craig Anderson is well Craig Anderson. This guy is a puck-stopping machine. 50+ saves in game 1 against the Canadiens and is a big reason why the Senators won that series. They also continue to get contribution from all four lines. During the series with the Canadiens the Senators had 12 different players put the puck in the net, that trend will need to continue.

Prediction: Penguins in 6

(4) Boston Bruins vs. (6) New York Rangers

The Skinny: Both teams were taken to the brink but both won in different fashions. The Bruins lost 2 at home to the Toronto Maple Leafs and almost lost 3-in-a-row and the series had it not been for Game 7’s craziness. The big bad Bruins did not look so big and bad. In fact, they looked pretty normal. Tukka Rask is not Tim Thomas. Their blue line is banged up with Redden, Ference and Seidenberg all missing game 7 due to injuries. For the Rangers they lost the first two in Washington before taking four of the final five games, including, two shutouts in Game 6 and Game 7. Goaltending will be the key and with the way that “King” Henrik Lundqvist is playing, it will surely be tough to beat him.

Bruins win if... They resort back to being the tough-to-play Bruins. Big. Mean. In your face type hockey that has opponents cringe when they face up against them. The line of Milan Lucic-David Krejci and Nathan Horton were unstoppable in the first round, they will need to continue to produce. Also they will need more out the future HOF Jaromir Jagr who was held without a goal against the Leafs.

Rangers win if... Henrik Lundqvist continues his hot play. There is no question that you need goals to win games but when the other team can’t score, it gives the Rangers the ability to win games 1-0. Rick Nash is finally into the second round of the NHL playoffs but he has been held to just 2 assists. He will need to step up as will Brad Richards. After seven games Derek Brassard leads the team in scoring with (2G, 7A).

Prediction: Rangers in 7

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

(1) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (7) Detroit Red Wings

The Skinny: The Chicago Blackhawks cruised to an easy series win in five games against the Minnesota Wild. Corey Crawford was solid behind the NHL’s stingiest defensive team. Jonathan Toews only had two assists in the first round and the Hawks will need more production out of him going forward. For the Red Wings they were able to come from behind and beat the Anaheim Ducks on the road in Game 7. The team has not made it look pretty, nor do they resemble Red Wings teams of the past, but they still manage to win games. The team flows through Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg and they will need to explode offensively to beat the Blackhawks.

Blackhawks win if… All four lines continue to contribute. So far Joel Quenville has been able to role four lines effectively and there are holes for them to exploit against the Red Wings. On paper this team is better then the 2013 Red Wings in every way, but they can't look past the experience of this team or they will be out of the playoffs. It’s one of the two Original Six matchup of the second round and it should be a highly contested series.

Red Wings win if… They keep games close. They were in four overtimes against the Ducks, so their ability to keep games close will be key. Mike Babcock will have his team prepared but it looks like it’s the end of an era for one franchise while another one is on the rise. The Red Wings age will be a key as the young Blackhawks will feed on the tired legs. Jimmy Howard has to be a force in net for there to be any chance at the Wings winning the series.

Prediction: Blackhawks in 5

(5) Los Angeles Kings vs. (6) San Jose Sharks

The Skinny: California Dreaming. The Los Angeles Kings opened their playoffs looking to become the first NHL team to go back-to-back since the Detroit Red Wings did in 97-98. Winning in consecutive years has been one of Sport’s toughest achievements. The 09-10 Los Angeles Lakers were the last team to do it in the “Big Four”. The Kings lost both games on the road to open their series with the St.Lous Blues. However, the result was the same as last year, with the Kings winning four straight and taking the series. The San Jose Sharks made quick work of the Vancouver Canucks in four and dominated in every facet of the game. You have to face the best teams eventually, but this writer think the Sharks would have preferred a Ducks series win and a match with them then the defending champions.

Kings win if… Jonathan Quick continues to play outstanding. After his game 1 gaffe against the Blues and a lousy goal in game two that resulted in the winner, Quick has been nearly flawless. The team also has the league's most formidable forecheck and they will have to continue to lean on that against the Sharks.

Sharks win if… Logan Couture takes this team all the way. Yes, guys like Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski and Patrick Marleau are important, but Couture has taken the next step in becoming an all-star like Claude Giroux.

Sorry to rub it in Leafs fans but (http://bit.ly/eK1cEz) he could have been yours .

Prediction: Kings in 6

NHL PLAYOFF PREVIEW: WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND

(1) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (8) Minnesota Wild

The Skinny: The Chicago Blackhawks are the President Trophy winners, in large part because of their 24-game point streak. The Blackhawks finished with a (+51) goal differential allowing just (102) goals all season. The Minnesota Wild for all the moves they made in the last nine month including: signing Ryan Suter, Zack Parise and trading for Jason Pominville at the deadline, barely made the playoffs. The Wild made the playoffs on the last game of the season after beating the lowly Colorado Avalanche to hold off the Columbus Blue Jackets. If game one was anything of what the rest series should shape up as, then it should be a closely contested game between the two teams.

Blackhawks win if… They continue to be the best defensive team in the league. The Blackhawks finished first in the league giving up just (2.02) games with Ray Emery and Corey Crawford shutting the door. Crawford looked a bit shaky at times in game one but prevailed with the win, making key saves in the 3rd period and overtime. So much offensive depth with Patrick Kane as the key playmaker.

Wild win if… Niklas Backstrom can return from a freak injury he sustained in the warm-ups before game one. While Josh Harding looked like a suitable backup, playing extremely well, Backstrom led the team with wins (24) and a G.A.A. of (2.48). Also can Ryan Suter play the same type of minutes that he did in game one. To put in perspective he led all players in time with 41:08, he had over 30 minutes after three periods.

Prediction: Blackhawks in 5

(2) Anaheim Ducks vs. (7) Detroit Red Wings

The Skinny: The Detroit Red Wings took two of three from the Anaheim Ducks during the season, with both coming on the road. After taking game one, on home ice, the Ducks must be feeling good about themselves. Jonas Hiller played well and they have Viktor Fasth if things get bad. The Red Wings had a great home record through the season and should be able to take things the distance with the Ducks.

Ducks win if… The line of Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Bobby Ryan take control of the series. This line surely can with all the talent, but in game one it was Nick Bonino and the everlasting Teemu Selanne that scored instead of the big three. The Ducks play an up-tempo game under Bruce Boudreau, so their main focus has to be on containing the Red Wings, which the did perfectly in game one.

Red Wings win if… Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Nik Kronwall overmatch the big three of the Ducks. Datsyuk and Zetterberg are great two-way players and can be a force on the penalty kill as well as the power play. They will need to take one at the Honda Centre in Anaheim to win this series.

Prediction: Ducks in 7

(3) Vancouver Canucks vs. (6) San Jose Sharks

The Skinny: The San Jose Sharks took all three games between the Vancouver Canucks. The Sharks are a force at home and took two of the games at the HP Pavilion Centre in California. This is probably the last go around with the core players for the Sharks. An early playoff exit would probably mean the end for guys like: Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton as Sharks. They have Brent Burns as a winger, which seems weird, and it is, but he is playing decent down the stretch. The Canucks are in the same boat, but starting Roberto Luongo in game one, with Cory Schneider nursing an injury, is worriesome. Luongo’s job and career can be encapsulated in this first start of the playoffs. If he gets blown away, he’s washed up and done as a Canuck, but if he were to succeed, coach Alain Vigneault may have a conundrum on his hands.

Canucks win if… Henrik and Daniel Sedin can find the chemistry they have had in the past and have success with it. For the most part they are pretty healthy with Derek Roy and Ryan Kesler down the middle. Their defense is a little worrisome, and they must excel on the power play. As in all cases it comes down to goaltending so whomever it may be, must play very well.

Sharks win if… They take game one of the series. I truly believe that the Sharks are a good enough team to surprise people and make a deep run. They are pretty dominant and home so winning game one would set the tone and put them in the drivers seat. Key Player: Joe Thornton. It all flows through him.

Prediction: Sharks in 6

(4) St.Louis Blues vs. (5) Los Angeles Kings

The Skinny: The St.Louis Blues want revenge on the Los Angeles Kings for knocking them out last season. The Kings would end up winning the Stanley Cup while the Blues sat on their couches. The first step was getting bigger on the blue line, check, then it was grabbing home-ice advantage, which they did. Then it was taking game one after being swept last year, which they also did thanks to Jonathan Quick’s epic blunder. Check. Check. Check.

Blues win if… They can maintain their stingy defense. Brian Elliott is the goaltender for the Blues going forward, and with goals coming at a premium he will have to be up to the task. On the blue line the Blues dominate everyone with guys like: Shattenkirk. Leopold, Bouwmeester, Polak and Pietrangelo. Forward Jaden Schwartz is a players to watch.

Kings win if… Jonathan Quick can put the blunder behind him and bounce back. Quick is the reigning Conn Smythe trophy winner and looked sharp in game one (despite the blunder). Forwards have to be able to get deep into the Blues zone and work their cycle game.

Prediction: Kings in 7

NHL PLAYOFF PREVIEW: EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND

(1) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (8) New York Islanders

The Skinny: The New York Islanders are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2007. John Tavares led his team in goals (28) and points (47) while Evgeni Nabokov was solid for the most part of the season. Unfortunately, they draw the potent Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round. Even without Sidney Crosby for game 1 (and possibly longer), the Penguins outmatch and outgun the Islanders on every front. Marc-Andre Fleury will be tested with the Islanders PP and a good series for him could go along way, especially after last year's debacle against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Islanders cannot take any dumb penalties.

Penguins win if… They do everything they’ve done so far this year. They clinched the number one seed in the East for their ability to run four lines backed up by solid goaltending. The addition of Crosby in the next week or so will play huge for a team that already has Iginla, Malkin, Neal, Kunitz, Sutter and Dupuis.

Islanders win if… The hockey gods are looking down on them. Evgeni Nabokov has never been a good playoff performer and it's going to be up to him to stop the Penguins. There is no question that he has to be the best player for his team. They also have to neutralize the Penguins scoring ability and find ways to score on 5-on-5.

Prediction: Penguins in 4

(2) Montreal Canadiens vs. (7) Ottawa Senators

The Skinny: Despite pumping the brakes in the last two weeks of the season the Montreal Canadiens showed what they have done all year, utilizing their speed in back-to-back road wins against Winnipeg and Toronto to finish the season. Both games had playoff-like atmospheres, so the Canadiens and Carey Price look to be in playoff mode. For the Senators they won on the last game of the season to avoid the Penguins, hand the Canadines the division, and set-up the only all-Canadian matchup of the first round. The Senators have played the Canadiens hard all season splitting the season series (2-1-1). The Senators have used strong goaltending from the combination of (Bishop, Anderson and Lehner). Erik Karlsson’s return was a huge boost for this team who are still without the services of Jason Spezza.

Canadiens win if… Carey Price finds his game back. If he does he is arguably one of the toughest goalies to beat. The last time Price played was against Winnipeg a full week before game one, so he will be well-rested. The Canadiens will also need to beat the Senators in the special teams game (PP/PK). Need all four lines clicking, and have the defense pick up its intensity without Alexi Emelin.

Senators win if… Craig Anderson puts on a show. He’s played very well in big games dating back to his playoff games with Colorado and last year with Ottawa. The Senators combat the duo of Subban/Markov with the power play unit of Gonchar and Karlsson. The young forwards for the Senators step up and Daniel Alfredsson is a big factor.

Prediction: Canadiens in 6

(3) Washington Capitals vs. (6) New York Rangers

The Skinny: These teams met last year and went the distance. Expect the same in this series as the Capitals are surging into the playoffs as the Rangers squeezed in. Rick Nash is back in the playoffs and he’ll go head-to-head with 2013 Rocket Richard winner Alex Ovechkin. This series will come down to who plays better in net. Will it be Braden Holtby or Henrik “King” Lundqvist?

Capitals win if… Alex Ovechkin continues his hot scoring. This is the third series between the two teams and Ovy has had been able to put behind Lundqvist in the past. Braden Holtby will need to steal game or two like he did against Boston last season.

Rangers win if… Rick Nash and Brad Richards find some chemistry. You don’t have to worry about Ryan Callahan’s play or the goaltending of Henrik Lundqvist but these two are the catalysts if the Rangers want to make a deep playoff run. Defense is a little suspect with the loss of Marc Staal but Dan Girardi and company has figured how to keep it all together in a short season.

Prediction: Rangers in 7

(4) Boston Bruins vs. (5) Toronto Maple Leafs

The Skinny: Despite losing the last game of the season and failing to clinch the division the Bruins must be licking their chops with a series against the Leafs. The Bruins have lost once to the Leafs in the last 15 games and in most games have dominated the Leafs in every aspect. This time however, there is now Tim Thomas. For the Leafs they are back in the playoffs for the first time since before the lockout . James Reimer has played spectacular hockey down the stretch and will need to be amazing against the pesky Bruins. Joffrey Lupul and Phil Kessel (who will hear a lot of boo’s) will also need to factor in.

Bruins win if… They play their hard-nose defensive game. Zdeno Chara will always be up against the Leafs first line. They have to hit the Leafs every chance the can and Tukka Rask has to avoid giving up the weak goals.

Maple Leafs win if… They show their strength in dominating the Bruins and outhitting them in every game. James Reimer steals the series away with some great goaltending and the defense plays well. The combination of Kadri, Kessel, JVR and Lupul will take the Leafs as far as they go. If all four men play to their potential we could be in for quite a series. Colton Orr and Frazer McLaren have big impacts

Prediction: Bruins in 6