Thanks to the heroics of Henrik Lundqvist, the NHL almost missed on its marquee second round matchup. No thanks to San Jose, the league’s number 1 team embarrassingly failed to push past the first round. Still, a pair of late goals in New Jersey salvaged my picks for the most part, which is nice.
First Round Analysis and Second Round Picks after the break
What Went Wrong
Western Conference
San Jose – I don’t know where you start here. Forget all the crap about Anaheim being one of the strongest 8 seeds ever. They should not have been good enough to beat this Sharks team. Nabokov was no better than decent, Joe Thornton put up his usual zilch and I swear I saw Patrick Marleau once, I just can’t prove it. I don’t know if you keep this team together.
Columbus – They were plucky, but not good enough. Detroit is a serious squad. Check back next year when the BJs are more than just happy to be there.
St Louis – Injuries and maybe the bubble burst on a journeyman goaltender. Also, Roberto Luongo is officially serious business in the post season.
Calgary – The dual losses of Rhett Warrener and Dion Phaneuf were tough to overcome, but the Flames were mostly in a nose-dive anyways. I love Mike Cammalleri, but this team could not find secondary scoring.
Eastern Conference
Montreal – No real story here, the Habs were not in the same class as Boston. With a boatload of free agents, there will be summertime drama.
New York Rangers – How about Lundqvist? He stole 3 of the first 4 games this series, but could not hold up behind the Rangers’ pop-gun offense. If New York can find a goal-scorer that scares anybody, they’ll be contenders.
New Jersey Devils – Great series, but I have to say Martin Brodeur seems to have misplaced his playoff mystique. It’s nothing tangible, he was great in this series, but there’s something missing.
Philadelphia Flyers – A bigger disappointment than people realize, I think. This team should have been good enough to hang with the Pens. They should have been good enough to close out a 3-0 game 6 lead. Also, losing a playoff game in OT with 3 men on the ice is the height of stupidity.
Second Round Picks
Eastern Conference
(1) Boston v (7) Carolina
The Bruins win because… They’re the top seed in the East. They’re healthy and there are no holes in their lineup. The big guns have shown up for the post season, and I especially love the Chara/Staal matchup in round 2.
The ‘Canes win because… I love Cam Ward in the playoffs. I also think the short layoff is going to help Carolina carry a little momentum into game one. They need to take one of the first two to have a shot.
What is going to be more of a factor… Carolina’s fatigue from going seven, or Boston’s rust from the sweep.
Boston in five.
(2) Washington v (4) Pittsburgh
The Capitals win because… Alexander Ovechkin does something special. The Caps are going to hope Sergei Varlamov holds up for another round and do their best to turn this into a ‘Last Goal Wins’ series. I don’t know that the Pens defense/goaltending will give Washington as much trouble as New York did.
The Penguins win because… Fleury is no Lundqvist, but he’s certainly good enough to win this series. It’s also impossible to ignore the huge step up offensively between New York and Pittsburgh. This series will be about the job Jordan Staal does on the pk and against big number 8.
What is going to be more of a factor… the supposed ‘bad blood’ between Ovechkin/Semin and Crosby/Malkin, or the players on the ice?
Pittsburgh in six
Western Conference
(2) Detroit v (8) Anaheim
The Red Wings win because… They will not pull the same disappearing act San Jose did. They have the edge on offense, defense and special teams. As he always is, Chris Osgood will be the perceived weakness. As he always does, Chris Osgood will play well enough to win 4 games.
The Ducks win because… Jonas Hiller channels J.S. Gigure (2007 vintage). The Ducks are more physical, if they can beat on Detroit without taking dumb penalties they’ve got a chance. Chris Pronger and Ryan Getzlaf are key.
What is going to be more of a factor… travel for an older Detroit team or PIMs for an exuberant Anaheim squad.
Detroit in six
(3) Vancouver v (4) Chicago
The Canucks win because… Roberto Luongo is the best goalie left standing. Calgary’s size gave Chicago trouble at times, and Vancouver is a similar team. Ryan Kesler and his merry band will need to adjust quickly to a physical, punishing Blackhawks team.
The ‘Hawks win because… Their big stars carry them at important moments. Patrick Kane, Martin Havlat and Jonathan Toews will need to overcome a big-bodied defense and unforgiving netminder. Watch the young Chicago defense, they are quietly an elite unit.
What is going to be more of a factor… Chicago’s speed and skill or Vancouver’s size and strength?
Vancouver in five
Speaking English 
If Karl had gotten around to loading last week’s podcast, Drew and I would look pretty smart.
I wonder if Mike Richards having Labrum surgery contributed to Philly being so damn lackluster.
Also, Chicago could have stolen one last night, despite SEVEN power plays against. Still, I think coming back from 3-0 against Luongo helps more in the long run. It’s a long series, but I’m slightly concerned about my ‘Nucks pick.
Patty Kane = Good at Hockey