The 2nd Round starts tonight with the Chicago vs Vancouver series getting underway. Yesterday you saw that I went 7-1 in the 1st round. Considering how close I think these 2nd round matchups are, there is a definite chance of going 0-4, but we'll see.

Let's get to the breakdowns.



EASTERN CONFERENCE


#1 Boston vs #6 Carolina

Boston won the season series 4-0

The Bruins ran through the Habs with little care for their 100th season. The Canes took the Devs the distance and used an amazing final two minutes to win their series. The question will be does the rust show for Boston and momentum prevail for the Canes?


Offense

During the post-season, the Bruins averaged 4.25 goals for per game. That was second only to Detroit. Carolina faced better goaltending than Boston, and managed a 2.43 G/G average. Also, in the 5 on 5 GOALS FOR/AGAINST RATIO, the Bruins are 3rd with an 1.83 and the Canes are 6th with an 1.25.

I give the advantage to the depth of Boston's offense.


Defense

The Bruins rank 2nd in the postseason with 1.50 GA/G. Also, the B's allow just 27.8 shots against per game on average which ranked them 4th in the playoffs.

The Hurricanes rank 6th with 2.14 GA/G. They allow 34.6 SA/G which ranks them near the bottom, 14th in the post-season thus far.

Advantage Boston again.


Goaltending

Tim Thomas has a 1.50 GAA and .946 SV% after the Montreal sweep.

Cam Ward has a 2.11 GAA and .938 SV%.

The Hurricanes have the advantage in this category based on momentum and playoff experience.


Special Teams

Power play = Boston is 3rd with a 25.0% and Carolina is 14th with a 6.9%

Penalty kill = Boston is at the very top thanks to Montreal's power play being absolute garbage in their series. The Bruins hold an 100% kill at the moment. Carolina is 5th with an 88.9%

Advantage to Boston.


The X Factors
These are the player for each team that could have the greatest impact in my mind. If this player should get hurt or miss games, then his team may be done.

For Boston, my X-Factor is Tim Thomas this round. He has to prove he can play at a high level deep into the playoffs.

For Carolina, my X-Factor is Eric Staal this series. He has to continue to put up the goals (He is tied for the NHL playoff lead with 5) to keep the Canes in range of the Bruins.


My Prediction is: BOSTON IN 7. I expect the Bruins to be tested early, but come through in the very end. This has all the makings of a solid series in my book based on the momentum of Carolina and the solid foundation Boston has built.

*****


#2 Washington vs #4 Pittsburgh

Washington won the season series 3-0-1

Oh, the matchup NBC begged God for has arrived. You know they will market the hang out of this series, but with good reasons. This one has a chance for a handful of highlight goals and moments considering you have Crosby, Malkin, and Ovechkin in the big lights.


Offense

So far in this postseason, the Caps are 7th with an average 2.71 goals per game while the Pens are 4th averaging an even 3.00.

In the 5-5 F/A the Caps are 4th with an 1.71 and the Pens are 7th with a 1.10.

I give the depth of scoring lines slightly to Pittsburgh.


Defense

Washington has given up an average of just 1.57 goals against per game. The Penguins have allowed 2.67 GA/G in the post-season.

In terms of shots allowed, the Caps have the edge again by allowing a post-season low 23.7 per game on average. The Penguins averaged 32.3 against.

The scoring all comes from Mike Green for Washington, while Sergei Gonchar is the big gun at the blue line for Pittsburgh.

I call this a PUSH.


Goaltending

Washington's Simeon Varlamov has a 1.17 GAA and .952 SV% after round 1.

Marc-Andre Fleury has a 2.39 GAA and .922 SV%.

Varlamov is unproven still. MAF has gone to the Finals. Pittsburgh has the advantage in this category.


Special Teams

Power play = The Caps are ranked 7th with a 18.2%. Pittsburgh's is ranked 11th with a 12.5%.

Penalty kill = Washington is currently 7th with an 87.1%. The Pens are just behind in 8th with an 86.7%

Advantage to Washington.


The X Factors
These are the player for each team that could have the greatest impact in my mind. If this player should get hurt or miss games, then his team may be done.

For Pittsburgh, I go with Evgeni Malkin this time. The playoffs leading point getter now has a rivalry to deal with since his fellow countrymen have come to play. If he is the Russian that outshines the others, Pens win.

For Washington I'll go with Alexander Semin. Tied for the most playoff goals and second in points thus far. Semin has had to carry the Caps a little with A.O. not producing all series in the 1st round. If Semin comes up big, they can really push the Pens.



My Prediction is: PITTSBURGH IN 6. Something about Pittsburgh just looks right at the moment. They've been through this process before and that experience pays off in my book. Look for Varlamov to get exposed, and the Flower to flourish some more.

*****

WESTERN CONFERENCE



#2 Detroit vs #8 Anaheim

Detroit won the season series 3-0-1

Detroit ran through the Jackets with ease. There will be no ease with a team like Anaheim. The Ducks have been one of if not THE hottest teams to end the regular season and continue in the post-season. Can the #8 seed push Detroit out of the playoffs again like they did the year they won the Cup?


Offense

Detroit is the #1 post-season offense so far, average 4.50 G/G. Anaheim is in 5th with an even 3.00 G/G.

Despite the numerous big names on Detroit, the Ducks have done almost as well as the Wings in terms of 5-5 F/A. Detroit is #1 with a 2.50 and Anaheim sits just behind in 2nd with a 2.40. That's quite interesting to me.

I call this one a PUSH because Detroit was able to easily pick apart Steve Mason, who statistically speaking, was the worst goalie in the post-season.


Defense

The Red Wings allowed just 27.5 shots against per game, which ranked them 3rd so far. The Ducks have given up the most shots of any team in the playoffs, averaging a staggering 38.3 SA/G!

Detroit has given up an average of 1.75 GA/G. Anaheim in just above them with a 1.67 average of GA/G.

Advantage Detroit.


Goaltending

Chris Osgood has a 1.75 GAA and .936 SV% after sweeping the Blue Jackets.

Jonas Hiller has a 1.64 GAA and .957 SV% from their 1st round upset of San Jose.

I give Anaheim the advantage in this category based on momentum and backup depth.


Special Teams

Power play = Detroit is #1 again with a 31.8%. Anaheim is in 6th with a 21.7%

Penalty kill = Detroit ranks 13th on the PK with a measly 76.9%, which is the worst among the remaining teams. Who is the 2nd worst among active teams? Anaheim in 9th with an 83.3%

PUSH.


The X Factors
These are the player for each team that could have the greatest impact in my mind. If this player should get hurt or miss games, then his team may be done.

For Detroit, the X-Factor is Chris Osgood. He played well in the 1st round, but wasn't tested much. I expect the Ducks to push quite a bit more than Columbus did.

For Anaheim, the X-Factor is still Jonas Hiller. Can his stellar play continue? If he can solve Detroit's potent offensive attack, the Ducks move on.



My Prediction is: ANAHEIM IN 7. Still not sold on Detroit's D and goaltending so they will have to prove me wrong again.


*****


#3 Vancouver vs #4 Chicago

The teams split the series 2-2

The best matchup in the 2nd round in my opinion. What a series this will be. These teams are very evenly matched, both can play physical, and can score. I honestly expect this series to be the one that outshines all the others.


Offense

I feel the Canucks have an underrated offense. They ranked 6th in the post-season thus far with a 2.75 goals per game average. Chicago is in 3rd with a 3.50 average.

Vancouver has a 1.50 5-5 F/A while Chicago has an 1.08.

I'm going with a slight edge to Chicago on this one.


Defense

Vancouver has allowed some pucks towards Luongo, with a 32.8 SA/G. The Hawks have ranked 6th so far with 29.3 SA/G.

The Canucks D has been the best this post-season so far in terms of GA/G. They've allowed just 1.25 on average. Chicago have up 2.67 in their season.

Slight advantage to Vancouver because of the depth..


Goaltending

Roberto Luongo has a very trim 1.15 GAA and enormous .962 SV% from the 1st round sweep of St. Louis.

Nikolai Khabibulin has a 2.52 GAA and .914 SV%.

Vancouver owns this category for me, despite Khabibulin's playoff history.


Special Teams

Power play = Vancouver's is ranked 5th with a 22.2% conversion rate. Chicago is 2nd with a 29.2%.

Penalty kill = Vancouver's PK is 2nd with a whopping 95.8%. The Hawks aren't too far behin in 4th with an 88.9%

PUSH.


The X Factors
These are the player for each team that could have the greatest impact in my mind. If this player should get hurt or miss games, then his team may be done.

For Vancouver, the X-Factor is Luongo. This time it is on Bobby Lou's shoulders to stop a potent offense from Chicago.

For the Blackhawks, the X-Factor to me is Patrick Sharp. A dangerous special teamer and all around solid player. If healthy, he can make a big difference for Chicago.


My Prediction is: VANCOUVER IN 7. I like the goaltending and D slightly more and those win post-season series. The Canucks are primed for a big run in my opinion.

*****


Well that does it for round 2. We'll see how it plays out. Feel free to dissect what I wrote and agree or disagree. Enjoy the games because each of these series has a strong chance to be just fantastic.

Till the next time,

TAKE CARE







Don’t forget to tune into the Nashville Hockeybuzz Radio show, now on WEDNESDAY nights from 6 to 7 pm on WNSR 560 A.M. with Paul McCann and myself discussing all things Preds! Listen in at the WNSR Website for the best Preds radio show around! The podcasting for the Nashville Hockeybuzz Radio show can be found at the following: Nashville Hockeybuzz Radio Podcast. Enjoy!

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