After going 7-for-8 in the first round (but with only 1 correct prediction on the number of games), the time has come for my picks for the second round.

Eastern Conference

Washington Capitals vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

Washington was 4-1-1 against the Lightning this season and have completely revamped their game from a year ago.  The team has completely bought into the attention to defensive details and that makes them dangerous.  The Lightning should have punched through the depleted Penguins but struggled.  Tampa has good firepower, a great coach, and a solid veteran goaltender.  I question their overall experience and ability to get things done, though.  I think Washington learned a lot last year about what it takes and I think Tampa, as a group, has to learn it this year.

Prediction: Washington in 6 – More firepower but their goaltending could be a real difference.

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Boston Bruins

The Bruins became the first team in a 7-game series to win it without scoring a power-play goal.  They got lucky, in my opinion.  The Flyers on the other hand got pushed way too hard against a banged-up Buffalo team.  Philly’s goalie situation is a major concern.  This will be a physical series between The Big Bad Bruins and The Broad Street Bullies.  Who can survive the physical battles will have an edge.  On the other hand, the Flyers are to the Bruins what the Blackhawks were to the Canucks.  Does Boston have what it takes to exorcise the memories of the last series these two teams played.  Boston has the edge in goaltending for sure.

Prediction: Boston in 6 – Tim Tomas puts the team on his shoulders and drags the Bruins into the 3rd round

Western Conference

Vancouver Canucks vs. Nashville Predators

After the heart-stopping game 7, the Canucks might just have taken a critical step towards becoming a better team.  I still have very little faith in Luongo and even less in the Sedins.  Luongo can’t go down swimming quite as much and the Sedins have to find a grittier game or show that they can dominate shift after shift in the playoffs.  Vancouver won’t face the same level of offense as they did against the Hawks, so that may give up a bit more room for the Kesler line and that may be the difference maker.  Nasshville, on the other hand, is a fairly uniform team.  They have a strong first pair on defense and they play as team in all three zones.  Rinne was outstanding against the Ducks and was stingy against the Canucks in the regular season.  For the Predators to have a chance, Rinne must hold the fort and win a few games.

Prediction: Vancouver in 6.  The Canucks are deeper on forward and defense than the Ducks were and Nashville didn’t exactly overwhelm Anaheim.

Detroit Red Wings vs. San Jose Sharks

After easily handling the Coyotes, the Red Wings will be well rested for the series and this is bad news for the Sharks.  The sharks ran into all they could handle with the L.A. Kings in their first round series and certainly didn’t look too dominant at times.  The Kings’ goalie really shone, though, but a team with that much firepower shouldn’t have struggled that much.

Joe Thornton finally showed up for a few games but San Jose’s goaltending is a bit of a sideshow. With Detroit, I want to say that their goaltending is suspect as well, but I certainly would go with their goaltending over the Sharks’.  Detroit is deeper and more experienced.  If they can stay (and get) healthy enough, I don’t see the Sharks having the depth or skaters to punch-counterpunch with the healthier Wings.

Prediction: Detroit in 6.  The Sharks will put up a fight but they will be outclassed and their goaltending won’t be enough.