Stanley Cup Playoffs 2nd Round Preview

We started this playoff race with 16 teams, and now we're down to just eight. We've hit the 2nd round of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs and what an exciting opening round it was. Vegas pulled out a win in their first round series with the Kings, becoming the first expansion team to win a playoff series on their first try. Another team to earn its first ever playoff series win was the Winnipeg Jets, who prior to this year had never even won a playoff game, and are now playing in round two. San Jose, and Nashville join them in the West. As for the East, we got ourselves two marquee matchups. Washington, Pittsburgh, Boston and Tampa Bay are all moving on to advance in the tournament. So here's how we see the 2nd round going down.

First up, its the Atlantic Division second seeded Boston Bruins taking on the Atlantic Division champion Tampa Bay Lightning. Boston got here by beating the Toronto Maple Leafs in seven games in the opening round. Boston's last win int he opening round came in 2014. Boston is now 58-64 lifetime in the playoffs. As for Tampa Bay, they got here by beating the New Jersey Devils in five games in the opening round. Tampa last got past the first round in 2016. The Lightning are now 13-8 lifetime in the playoffs. This is the second playoff meeting between these two teams. Their only previous series occurred in the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals, which Boston won in seven games. Boston won three of the four games in this year's regular season series.

Here are the date and times of every game in this series:
April 28 Boston Bruins 3:00 p.m. Tampa Bay Lightning Amalie Arena
April 30 Boston Bruins 7:00 p.m. Tampa Bay Lightning Amalie Arena
May 2 Tampa Bay Lightning 7:00 p.m. Boston Bruins TD Garden
May 4 Tampa Bay Lightning 7:00 p.m. Boston Bruins TD Garden
May 6 Boston Bruins TBD Tampa Bay Lightning Amalie Arena
May 8 Tampa Bay Lightning TBD Boston Bruins TD Garden
May 10 Boston Bruins TBD Tampa Bay Lightning Amalie Arena

Its been a battle for months between these two teams to see who would take home the crown in the division. Boston took three of the four regular season meetings and right now have one of the hottest lines in all of hockey going at full force. Patrice Bergeron, David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand combined for 30 points in the seven games against the Leafs, while Torey Krug chipped in another 9 points in the series. Here's the one thing in this series that could be worth noting. If the Bruins top line can't get going, there's no telling what will happen. Meaning that if Boston's top line isn't going, there's not much production coming in. Even if the Boston offense manages to stumble out of the blocks, the back end will be solidly protected. Zdeno Chara can still dominate a game, even at age 41. Just ask the Toronto forwards, who had trouble dealing with him at times in this series. Lets not forget about Tuukka Rask, who's going to be key for the B's in this series once again. He was almost pulled in game seven against the Leafs, which has cause for concern, but at the same token, has played on an MVP level at times during that series too. So look for him to be a big factor again this series.

The Bolts are no slouch in this series, having come off a five game series win over the Devils. Nikita Kucherov played like a man possessed in the opening round, recording ten points in the first series. Steven Stamkos and JT Miller were also productive in the series, as that line accounted for nearly half of the Lightning goals in the opening round. The Bolts rely on their top line as much as Boston does, but Tampa's offense doesn't shut down nearly as bad as Boston's does on some nights if the top line isn't going. Tampa's defense hasn't gotten a whole lot better since adding Ryan McDonagh at the trade deadline. They have leveled off since then but they haven't really gotten much better. Two factors are going to have to come into play for Tampa in this series if they want to possibly move on to round two. One is in net. Andrei Vasilevskiy did allow ten goals in the five games against the Devils, but looked good and came up big when he needed to. The other thing that needs to happen for Tampa is getting their other big line of Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat and Brayden Point going.

This is going to be a long series, going at least six games. Its a battle of two of the more balanced and toughest teams in the East. I made the argument going into the playoffs that, as good as the Bolts were, they had cooled off a little going into the playoffs, while Boston was as hot as awildfire. Tampa got off easy with a five game series in the opener while Boston went seven. Still, I just have the gut feeling that Boston is the deeper and better overall team right now.

Prediction: Bruins in 6!

Next up, its the Metropolitan Division Second Seeded Pittsburgh Penguins taking on the Metropolitan Division Champion Washington Capitals. Washington took out the Blue Jackets in six games in the opening round, the fourth straight opening round series win for the Caps. If Washington can pull off a win in this series, it will mark their first trip to the Eastern Conference finals since 1997. The Capitals now improve to 17-27 lifetime in the playoffs. Pittsburgh is here after a six game series win over the Flyers. This is the 3rd year in a row and fifth time in the last six years the Pens have won their opening round series. Pittsburgh is now looking to get to the Eastern Conference finals for the 3rd straight year. The Penguins are 40-27 lifetime in the playoffs. This is the third consecutive year that these two rivals have met in the second round and is the eleventh overall playoff meeting with Pittsburgh winning nine of the ten previous series. They last met in the previous year's Eastern Conference Second Round which Pittsburgh won in seven games. These teams split their four-game regular season series.

Here's the dates and times of ever game in this series:
April 26 Pittsburgh Penguins 7:00 p.m. Washington Capitals Capital One Arena
April 29 Pittsburgh Penguins 3:00 p.m. Washington Capitals Capital One Arena
May 1 Washington Capitals 7:30 p.m. Pittsburgh Penguins PPG Paints Arena
May 3 Washington Capitals 7:00 p.m. Pittsburgh Penguins PPG Paints Arena
May 5 Pittsburgh Penguins TBD Washington Capitals Capital One Arena
May 7 Washington Capitals TBD Pittsburgh Penguins PPG Paints Arena
May 9 Pittsburgh Penguins TBD Washington Capitals Capital One Arena

Washington had stumbled out of the blocks in the last round against the Jackets, but got the ship righted to be able to face the Pens in this round. Washington got their powerplay going in round one, mostly because the Jackets couldn't stay out of the box. They won't get that lucky against the Pens, who play a very disciplined game. Washington can stay out of the box, which will limit the Pens chances on the man advantage. Alex Ovechkin found a bit of a groove towards the end of the opening round, something he's going to hope to carry over into this battle with the Champs. So has Evgeny Kuznetsov, who tied Ovechkin among forwards with eight points. The only guy to score more was John Carlson who had nine points. Carlson was also a stalwart on the back end, helping the Caps overcome an early deficit against the Jackets. Same thing can be said about Brayden Holtby, who should have started the opening round series. Once he got back in net, he showed why he was the number one man in Washington.

They are going up against the defending champs, who had a tough start to their six game series win over the Flyers. Jake Guentzel and Sidney Crosby both went off in the opening round, having monster series. A lot of that had to do with the fact that the Flyers goaltedning really sucked in the series, so the Pens offense really clicked. Now its going to be fun to see if this Penguins offense can really match up when they face a solid goalie. Expect both Phil Kessel and, when he's healthy, Evgeni Malkin to step up and play big in this series with the Pens top guns in this round. One thing to look at from the Pens point of view is going to be the play of Matt Murray. He did have two shutouts in the opening round, but also gave up at least three goals in other games in this series too and was almost pulled in game six. He also doesn't have a guy behind him on the bench like Marc Andre Fleury. So Murray needs to get it together in this round.

You can make all the arguments you want about the Capitals and how this could be there year, but I got this feeling that something is still missing in Washington. They just don't feel like, to me, they have IT going into this round. Pittsburgh is still the team to beat and they kind of showed it in the opening round. Washington will put up one hell of a fight and this series will go the distance, but the Champs move on.

Prediction: Penguins in 7!

Moving to the Western Conference, its the Central Division second seeded Winnipeg Jets taking on the Central Division champion Nashville Predators. For the first time ever, the Winnipeg Jets won a playoff series, beating the Minnesota Wild in five games. It comes as the first ever playoff wins in both games and a series, as the Jets franchise had been swept in it's only two prior series. Winnipeg is in the second round for the first time ever. The Jets are now 1-2 lifetime in the playoffs. As for Nashville, they got here by beating the Colorado Avalanche in six games. Its the third year in a row that the Predators have made it to the second round. Nashville is looking to get back to the Western Conference for the second year in a row. Nashville is now 8-10 lifetime in the playoffs. This is the first playoff meeting between these two teams. Nashville won three of the five games in this year's regular season series.

Here's the dates and times of every game in this series:
April 27 Winnipeg Jets 8:00 p.m. Nashville Predators Bridgestone Arena
April 29 Winnipeg Jets 7:00 p.m. Nashville Predators Bridgestone Arena
May 1 Nashville Predators 8:00 p.m. Winnipeg Jets Bell MTS Place
May 3 Nashville Predators 9:30 p.m. Winnipeg Jets Bell MTS Place
May 5 Winnipeg Jets TBD Nashville Predators Bridgestone Arena
May 7 Nashville Predators TBD Winnipeg Jets Bell MTS Place
May 10 Winnipeg Jets TBD Nashville Predators Bridgestone Arena

There's a lot to be happy about in Winnipeg, as they were able to use a balanced attack to beat up on Minnesota. They got a balanced attack from guys like trade deadline pickup Paul Stastny, Mark Scheifele, Dustin Byfuglien, and even Patrik Laine who had an impact in this series. With the depth that the Jets have up front, they are going to be a tough team to beat. Throw in Bryan Little, and you have something you can really work with for the Jets. The biggest thing that can be talked about from the first round was the play of Connor Hellebuyck. The Vezina Trophy finalist played outstanding in the opening round, which is part of the reason why the Jets got their first ever playoff series win. Hellebuyck picked up shutouts in the final two games and never allowed more then two goals in the first three games. One downside for the Jets is their blueline is starting to get really banged up. Winnipeg will be without Tyler Myers, Tobias Enstrom, Mathieu Perreault and Nik Ehlers, all of whom missed time in the first round because of injuries.

Now they have to deal with the best team in all of hockey in the Nashville Predators. The Preds had to deal with a surprisingly stiff test against the Avalanche in round one, but walked away with the series win. Austin Watson, Colton Sissons, and Filip Forsberg carried the offense in the opening round to move the Preds on. They got the big goals when they needed, but if Nashville wants to get by the Jets in round two, they are going to need more of a contribution from Kevin Fiala, Ryan Hartman and Craig Smith. Besides a slight lack of production from their lower lines, Nashville is really going to need to stay disciplined against Winnipeg in this series if they want to move on. Nashville was one of the highest penalized teams in all of hockey during the regular season and did take something like 29 minors in the first round. Luckily the penalty kill operated at about 90% during the opening round, which will likely have to come up big again here in round two.

No doubt about it Winnipeg should feel quite proud about the fact that they got out of the first round and won a playoff series. Now they go up against a battle tested and very deep team in Nashville. There's a better then even chance that the Jets are going to push the Preds in this series, but at the end of the day, its the depth and experience that will win out.

Prediction: Predators in 6!

Finally its the Pacific division third seeded San Jose Sharks taking on the Pacific Division Champion  Vegas Golden Knights. Vegas picked up their first ever playoff series win, in their first year of exestance, beating the Los Angeles Kings in a sweep. Vegas is now 1-0 lifetime in the playoffs with this win and are looking to get to the Western Conference finals for the first time ever. San Jose got here thanks to a sweep of the Anaheim Ducks in the opening round. This is the first time since 2016 that the Sharks are playing in the second round. San Jose is looking to get back to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2016. San Jose is now 18-19 lifetime in the playoffs. This is the first playoff series between these two teams. Vegas won three of the four games in this year's regular season series.

Here's the dates and times for every game in this series:
April 26 San Jose Sharks 10:00 p.m. Vegas Golden Knights T-Mobile Arena
April 28 San Jose Sharks 8:00 p.m. Vegas Golden Knights T-Mobile Arena
April 30 Vegas Golden Knights 10:00 p.m. San Jose Sharks SAP Center
May 2 Vegas Golden Knights 10:00 p.m. San Jose Sharks SAP Center
May 4 San Jose Sharks 10:00 p.m. Vegas Golden Knights T-Mobile Arena
May 6 Vegas Golden Knights TBD San Jose Sharks SAP Center
May 8 San Jose Sharks TBD Vegas Golden Knights T-Mobile Arena

Vegas has been one of the biggest surprises of the year in not just hockey, but in all of sports. They have been known for playing fast hockey with a quick transition game and it worked to perfection in the opening round against the Kings. Granted Vegas only scored seven games in the series, Reilly Smith, Alex Tuch, and James Neal, along with William Karlsson, powered the clubs offense to a sweep over Los Angeles. What really stood out in the opening round sweep of the Kings was the outstanding goaltending of Marc Andre Fleury, who allowed a total of three goals the entire series. This was sort of a return to form for Fleury, who wanted to prove to the rest of the hockey world what he already knew, that he was and is an outstanding netminder. In order for Vegas to get past the Sharks, not only is Fleury going to have to keep up that MVP level of play, the offense will have to find its groove again as well.

Vegas will have to face a battle tested team in San Jose, who is just two years removed from an appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals. In the sweep of the Ducks in the opening round, San Jose, like Vegas, showed that speed can be a very effective weapon this time of the year. Logan Couture, Thomas Hertl and Joe Pavelski powered the Sharks offense in the first round and are going to be counted on again in a big way here in the second round against Vegas. Martin Jones is also going to be counted on in a big way here. He's going to have to stay on his toes against Vegas who is very deceptive team.

This series is going to be fun to watch, both teams are quick. San Jose may have the experience factor going for it but Vegas seems to have that mojo working for it right now. San Jose will be a really good test for the Golden Knights, but with the way Marc Andre Fleury is playing right now, it would be tough to pick against Vegas at the moment.

Prediction: Golden Knights in 7!