What’s up. Let’s take a look at some playoff action!

Pittsburgh/Washington

Schedule
1 Thu 4/26 @ Washington PIT 3-2
2 Sun 4/29 @ Washington WSH 4-1
3 Tue 5/1 @ Pittsburgh WSH 4-3
4 Thu 5/3 @ Pittsburgh 7:00pm
5 Sat 5/5 @ Washington 7:00pm
6 Mon 5/7 @ Pittsburgh TBA
7 Wed 5/9 @ Washington TBA

Washington leads 2-1

For the third straight year the Capitals and Penguins are matching up in the Second Round. We all know the players. Crosby/Malkin/Kessel/Murray and crew vs Ovechkin/Backstrom/Carlson/Holtby and their team. However the Capitals are in unfamiliar territory. For the first time in these three years, the Caps have a series lead. The Caps have had a lot of luck with a lot of injuries to the Penguins depth such as Malkin. This series could be interesting. However based on history I doubt the Capitals pull it out but instead of 6 games, I see this going to 7 in favor of the Pens. I haven’t watched much but I heard Tom Wilson is out there trying to take guys heads off.

Tampa Bay/Boston

Schedule
1 Sat 4/28 @ Tampa Bay BOS 6-2
2 Mon 4/30 @ Tampa Bay TBL 4-2
3 Wed 5/2 @ Boston 7:00pm
4 Fri 5/4 @ Boston 7:00pm
5 Sun 5/6 @ Tampa Bay TBA
6 Tue 5/8 @ Boston TBA
7 Thu 5/10 @ Tampa Bay TBA

Tied 1-1

This series is interesting. There has been a lot of scoring. All of the usual suspects have showed up for Boston, while Tampa has been getting a lot of depth scoring. Stamkos and Kucherov have yet to score. If Boston can keep shutting them down, the Bruins will win the series. I think it will come down to goaltending but I think a more experienced Rask and very defensive Bergeron can top Tampa’s young offensive squad in 7.

Nashville/Winnipeg

Schedule
1 Fri 4/27 @ Nashville WPG 4-1
2 Sun 4/29 @ Nashville NSH 5-4 OT
3 Tue 5/1 @ Winnipeg WPG 7-4
4 Thu 5/3 @ Winnipeg 9:30pm
5 Sat 5/5 @ Nashville 9:30pm
6 Mon 5/7 @ Winnipeg TBA
7 Wed 5/9 @ Nashville TBA

Winnipeg 2-1

The Jets offense has been firing on all cylinders. To be honest I haven’t watched too much of round 2 but as I predicted, if the Jets can beat the Preds defense than they will win. Down 3-0 in Game 3 the Jets came back in the last 2 periods and lit up the Preds 7-1 in those last 40 minutes. Although I predicted a Nashville cup victory I think the Preds really need to get it together. Pekka Rinnie needs to stand on his head. Nashville will need more offensive production than ever before. I’m changing my prediction to Winnipeg in 6.

Vegas/San Jose

1 Thu 4/26 @ Vegas VGK 7-0
2 Sat 4/28 @ Vegas SJS 4-3 2OT
3 Mon 4/30 @ SJ VGK 4-3 OT
4 Wed 5/2 @ SJ 10:00pm
5 Fri 5/4 @ VGK 10:00pm
6 Sun 5/6 @ SJ TBA
7 Tue 5/8 @ VGK TBA

Vegas 2-1

The Golden Knights continue their winning ways. Their lethal top 6 is still producing and Marc-Andre Fleury continues to be fantastic. It should be 3-0 because Vegas would’ve won game 2 if not for another controversial goaltender interference call. These teams had a week’s rest coming in and they are firing on all cylinders. I think Vegas will continue to be dominant and go to the conference finals at the end of 6. Also Vegas has won one more playoff series than the Panthers have in the 21st century despite Vegas only playing 1 year and the Panthers being established in 93. 😉