Stanley Cup Round Two

Round two has arrived in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. We are now down to eight clubs left fighting for the Cup! We got all divisional matchups in the 2nd round. Can Toronto or Carolina get over the hump? Can Florida go back to the Conference final for the 3rd year in a row? Can Winnipeg go any further? Can Edmonton make it back for the 2nd year in a row? We will find all this out in the next two weeks.

Here's how we see round two going down.

Washington Capitals vs Carolina Hurricanes
Teams split the four meetings during the regular season, so this is going to be a very tight series. This will be the most even of the two matchups in the East. Washington had as easy a trip to get to the 2nd round, and so too did Carolina. Goaltending for both teams looked a tad shaky at times during the season. I trust the Hurricanes with the depth they have in net just a little more. Logan Thompson got hurt in game three, and Charlie Lindgren had to finish the series. He did a fine job, but this is a totally different animal facing the Canes. The depth are about even here, which is why this series is a little tough to pick.

Pick: Hurricanes in 7!

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Florida Panthers
This is going to be a very telling series. Toronto hasn't gotten out of the 2nd round of the playoffs since 2002. There's always going to be that hanging over the Leafs head. They haven't won a cup or played in the finals since 1967. That's not going to change this year. Too many holes in the top heavy team to overcome. And still hold questions in net. Florida is a deeper and better overall hockey team. Not saying its going to be easy, the Leafs will be a giant pest all series.

Pick: Panthers in 6!

Winnipeg Jets vs Dallas Stars
Both these teams are coming off very hard fought series in the last round. Sure, Winnipeg won three of the four meetings during the regular season, this is a totally different animal. And lets be fair, Conor Hellybuck found his groove at the end of game seven. Problem is, he's going up against Jake Ottinger, who's been the better of the two goalies in the playoffs. Both teams can score, but with how well Dallas played in that last series against Colorado, I have a little more faith in the Stars offense.

Pick: Stars in 6!

Vegas Golden Knights vs Edmonton Oilers
We all know that the Oilers have the two best players in the game. And its going to be a much tougher test for the Oilers to get back to the finals again this year. This may be the weakest series in terms of goaltending. Edmonton had trouble with their nets in the past, but last year they got it together and got within one win of the finals. Not this year. They look weaker than they did a year ago. Vegas has an edge with a more balanced roster here than the Oilers do

Pick: Golden Knights in 6!