It's time for round two of the Stanley Cup playoffs and so far it has been just awesome. The second round is just as difficult to predict as the first but here are some thoughts.
I can't stress enough how excited I am that the Detroit Red Wings are facing the Colorado Avalanche again. It has been a while since the rivalry's heyday but a handful of players still remain on both rosters. Those who weren't there the last time around, in 2002, will definately get a taste of the old days the minute this series kicks off. The Avs lost all four games against the Wings this season, but they did it without many of their top forwards, including Joe Sakic, Ryan Smyth, and Paul Statsny. The Colorado team that brushed off Minnesota in six games is a completely different team. I would not be surprised if it takes seven games to separate these two teams, which would be only the second time that has happened. I think Detroit has the edge here, but not because they went 4-0 against the Avs, because of their defense, Osgood and their scoring depth, they basically have no real weaknesses. Theodore played great in the first round but Minnesota is not the offensive powerhouse that Detroit is. The Avs also rely heavily on the presence of Peter Forsberg. With him they usually win, without him they tend to lose.
A lot of experts seem to think this is finally the year of the Shark. I don't. I can't see the San Jose Sharks getting past Dallas, a team brimming with confidence after dismissing the defending Stanley Cup champions in six games. Dallas is a far tougher opponent than the Flames, a team that the Sharks had surprising difficulties getting passed. San Jose gave up a 3-0 lead in Game 3 and when they had the chance to close the series in Game 6 they appeared lame and uninterested. Dallas, on the other hand, played solid for most of their first-round series against Anaheim and unless the Sharks can play more consistent, the Stars will play in their first conference final since 2000.
I have said that I think the Montreal Candiens will play in the Stanley Cup finals and I am not changing that prediction now. I never thought the Bruins would force the Habs to a Game 7 and the Canadiens' powerplay didn't look as sharp as it did in the regular season, eventhough they did connect on two PP chances in Game 7. These were the two best teams on the man-advantage during the regular season so special teams is key to winning the series. The Canadiens also need Alexei Kovalev to be the dominationg force he was during the season. The Flyers got better and better as the series against Washington progressed and they are entering the second round confident they have what it takes to eliminate the eastern conference winners. Montreal native Martin Biron played a great series and is now the undisputed number one goalie. He will have to keep up that level in the second round. Philadelphia is also heading into round two with a Daniel Briere on fire. The Habs will have to find a way to stop him or their cup chase ends here.
I honestly didn't think the New York Rangers would get this far. If I remember correctly I said 4-1 to New Jersey, but now they are here and they did look very good against a very midiocre Devils team. Pittsburgh will be a far greater obstacle than their Hudson neighbors. Defensively I would go with the Rangers, offensively the Penguins have the upper hand, and in goal Henrik Lundqvist has the edge over Marc-Andre Fleury. A long rest didn't do the Ottawa Senators a lot of good before the finals last year and it doesn't favour the Pens now either. I actually think the Rangers will emerge triumphant from this series and Sean Avery, who thrives against the Penguins, will probably play a big part in it, as will Vezina nominee Ludqvist.
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