After going a better 3-for-4 in the 2nd round (still only 6/12 overall), here are the picks for the 3rd round:
Eastern Conference
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Boston Bruins – PIT in 6
Pittsburgh will be too fast and too skilled for the Bruins. With both teams having a long break, injuries and fatigue won’t really be factors at this point. The key to this series will be knocking of any rust and getting into a grove as early as possible. Boston can play tough and physical, but they definitely didn’t do it consistently against either the Leafs or the Rangers. This will be their undoing. Unless the Bruins come out banging and crashing, Pittsburgh’s forwards will pick them apart. If Boston does come out and play physically, they’d better make sure they walk the line, otherwise the Penguins’ power-play will light them up. The only big weakness I’ve seen in the Penguins’ game is that their defense may be a bit vulnerable. That being said, if Pittsburgh isn’t careful, Boston’s 3rd and 4th lines could create some real trouble. Bottom line, Pittsburgh will be too skilled and too deep.
Western Conference
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Los Angeles Kings – LA in 7
Despite successfully dealing with adversity in the Detroit series, the Blackhawks are in for a totally different kind of opponent this round. LA has skill but they hit hard and clean. Neither Minnesota nor Detroit were physical teams but the Kings are. Chicago will be tough in their building, but I just think LA is a team more built for the playoffs. Given that the officials tend to put the whistle away more the deeper we get into the playoffs, I don’t know if the ‘Hawks can survive a series against LA. Goaltending goes to the Kings, I think, and Chicago has been more inconsistent throughout their 4 lines, so I think LA is the team to beat.