NHL 2018 Playoffs - Round 2

Well how about that? What a first round, right? Well, sort of. Not so much if you were a Flyers fans, but at least they go to boo their team. The Las Vegas Golden Knights swept the Los Angeles right out of the playoffs, while Toronto and Boston went to a game seven again, only to see Toronto lose a third period lead and the series. But the future looks good in Toronto. Maybe. If they improve their defense.

All the number 1 and number  2 seeds  in each division won their series in the first round. Yes, there were no upsets. Columbus had an early series lead over the Capitals but Washington clawed back to oust the Blue Jackets in six. And our very own Bob Wichard picked all 8 first round series correctly. Is he brilliant, or did he just pick the best 8 teams. He gets a chance to prove it wasn’t a fluke in the second round. Here are our standings:

              Bob       8

              Jarret    6

              Jax         6

              Mike     5

Yes, the guy writing the blog and who ultimately decides who we pick is in last place after the first round. But, hey, there are 7 more series to pick. I can catch up. Without further ado, here are our round 2 picks

Western Conference

Nashville Predators vs Winnipeg Jets

This is the series I am most looking forward to. Two teams who can skate, Nashville’s awesome D and depth, Winnipeg’s toughness. These teams are very evenly match, and both looked good in their first-round series wins.  The Jets won a playoff series for the first time since 1987. This one is so close. If these teams play 10 times, each wins 5. But they only gotta play 7.

Jets in 7

Las Vegas Golden Knights vs San Jose Sharks

This is the series I will probably not see because I just can’t stay up that late anymore. The Knights exposed the Kings as the slow team we forgot they were and skated circles around them in their first round sweep.  The Sharks made quick work of the Ducks, too, and Joe Thornton might be back during this series. But does that make them Sharks better? It makes them slower. My head keeps saying how is this friggin expansion team still around? My heart says they are going to win this series.

Knights in 6

 

Eastern Conference

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Washington Capitals

The Penguins scored 80 goals in their series win over Philadelphia. Okay, it only seemed like 80. Flyers fans booed the home team and Claude Giroux said that probably hurt them. Philly was the worst team to make the playoffs. Washington had a harded matchup against the Blue Jackets and trailed early in the series but prevailed. They are a deeper team that during some other years. Can they finally beat the Penguins? Ovechkin would sure like to get the best of Crosby in the playoffs just once.

Caps in 7

Boston vs Tampa Bay

The Massholes taunted Leafs fans a second time by overcoming a third period deficit in game seven in a game where Tuuka Rask didn’t have his best performance. Next the Massholes are going to fetcher la vache and catapult it their way). It was cool to see hordes of Leafs fans outside the Air Canada Center. It was disappointing not to get that crowd shot after the game. Tampa is the better team here and got a few more days rest.

Tampa in 6