2nd Round Predictions

Western Conference

1. Vancouver Canucks
5. Nashville Predators
Vancouver in 7 games.
Canucks just have too much firepower for the likes of Weber and Suter to cover, they can only log so much ice time. The defensive Nashville team won't be able to get past the Vancouver defense. You might be asking why I think Nashville will make it so close if I have just said 2 key reasons why Nashville will lose? The way the Preds will win games is by chipping in the odd goal and letting their team defense and Pekka Rinne do the rest. Suter and Weber are HUGE parts of the Nashville defense but the team in general is superb. The reason Canucks will win is because you can only keep the Sedins, Kesler, Raymond, Burrows, Samuelsson, Edler and Ehrhoff off the scoreboard for so long.

2. San Jose Sharks
3. Detroit Red Wings
Detroit in 6 games.
The Wings experience will be to their immense benefit. One thing that many people overlook is the fact that the Wings are not all old players, they still have youthful exuberance in players such Darren Helm and Jiri "Happy" Hudler. Also they have the right mix of players in their prime and experienced players. Although the Sharks beat them in 5 last year, the Wings are experienced to put that behind them and young enough to win the games.With Zetterberg coming back and Datsyuk playing like a man on a mission against a team that doesn't have the same defense as it did last year, I see no reason why the Wings can't take this series.

Eastern Conference

1. Washington Capitals
5. Tampa Bay Lightning
Washington in 5 games.
The speed of the Caps will overcome the Bolts, especially in game 1 and 2, because the Bolts have looked like they were playing in tar in the last series against Pittsburgh. That had to be one of the most boring most slow 1st rounds I have ever seen. I also think that the fact that Washington has shown a new commitment to team defense will help them a ton, especially since the Lightning have had their big guns shut down. Furthermore although the Caps have played better offense they still have their big guns offensively in Ovechkin, Backstrom, Green and Semin. These players will prey on the not so great defense and goaltending of the Bolts.

2. Philadelphia Flyers
3. Boston Bruins
Philadelphia in 7 games
The main reason why this series will even go to game 7 is because of the Flyers's erratic goaltending. You never know what you are going to get out of them. They might steal you a game. Or you might have them lose you a game 8-3, you never know. If it weren't for the Flyers's goaltending this series would be over really quick. Philadelphia's goalies will give Boston a couple then the Flyers's amazing offensive and defensive depth will kill the Bruins. Even Timmy Thomas and Zdeno Chara won't be able to save the Bruins from this one.