Our Second Round Predictions: Do Not Head to Vegas With These

After looking back at our first round predictions, I'm not real sure why we continue to embarrass ourselves with comments and prognostications of future events.

Pittsburgh was my only correct pick in the first round games in the East, while in the West I only got Vancouver and San Jose correct giving me a stellar 3-5 record.

Jackson did slightly better going 4-4 since he had the benefit of picking Boston as a winner in the East and matching my other picks.

So with that in mind, for better or worse, here are our picks for the second round.

Buddy's Picks

Eastern Conference

(4) Pittsburgh Penguins vs (8) Montreal Canadians - Montreal was the surprise team of the first round. You have to wonder if their win was more of them being solid or Washington playing a marginal game as a result of clinching early. The Pens played well enough to win but did not really dazzle anyone in the first round. I am going to have to go with the deeper team that has the recent playoff success in a long hard fought series. Pittsburgh in seven.

(6) Boston Bruins vs (7) Philadelphia Flyers – This is a hard series to figure since both teams did not get into the playoffs until the last weekend of the season. They also each upset much better teams in round one for totally different reasons. The interesting thing is that no matter who wins, there will be a Cinderella team in the Eastern Conference finals. I may be wrong, but I'm going to go with superior goaltending and take the Bruins. If Boucher continues his playoff magic, I will be wrong again. Boston in seven.

Western Conference

(1) San Jose Sharks vs (5) Detroit Red Wings – Detroit toyed with Phoenix for six games before they actually showed up and became the Wings that everyone loves to hate in their game seven demolition of the Coyotes. San Jose did break their curse and got out of the first round against a fairly weak Colorado team. The Wings are hitting their stride and will finish off the Sharks in a short series, posibly winning the first two games in San Jose this weekend. Detroit in five.

(2) Chicago Blackhawks vs (3) Vancouver Canucks – The Predators stood toe to to with the Hawks up until the last 14 seconds of game five when Chicago proved themselves to be a team of destiny. Vancouver played well in the first round in disposing of a quality L.A. Kings team that will be in the playoffs for years to come. This series features the two most high powered offenses left in the playoffs. It will be a long series where home ice advantage will reign. Blackhawks in seven.

Jackson's Picks

Eastern Conference

(4) Pittsburgh Penguins vs (8) Montreal Canadiens - As I’m sure everyone is now aware of, Montreal is not to be taken lightly. Montreal played a strong, solid, tight game in the first round and if they can continue that, they just might come out with another upset in this series. I’m not sold on that idea though. Pittsburgh has another deep team that can make it to the finals again. Pittsburgh in six.

(6) Boston Bruins vs (7) Philadelphia Flyers – How often do you see the sixth and seventh seed meet up in the second round? This will be a very physical series for both teams, a lot of hitting and just all around gritty play. I took Boston to upset the Sabres in the first round and I’m not going to stop in the semis. Boston in six.

Western Conference

(1) San Jose Sharks vs (5) Detroit Red Wings – Detroit showed everyone, again, why they are one of the most dominant teams in hockey today coming off their game seven win in Phoenix. But San Jose showed that weren’t messing around either. Of course, it is tradition for them to screw up right about now, but I’m not seeing it this year. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that Joe Thornton is going to have the biggest series of his career so far, this series. San Jose in six.

(2) Chicago Blackhawks vs (3) Vancouver Canucks – After struggling a bit during the first round, the Hawks got their playoff legs back and are back in business. But the Canucks aren’t going out easily. This is the match up the players in Vancouver wanted. The Canucks want revenge and that’s what they’re going to get. Canucks in six.

So there you go. You may want to head to Vegas and go the other way.

More Later...

Buddy and Jackson Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass