(1) Washington Capitals vs. (2) Pittsburgh Penguins
The Capitals had their struggles to begin the series against the Columbus series. Thanks to Alex Ovechkin putting the team on his back and Braden Holtby entering the series at game 3 and turning the clock back to last year's regular season, the Capitals are once again in the second round. Offense was never a problem in the series for them. However, they had some shaky moments defensively, and unless they can tighten things up there, it may be a short series. Holtby still has some issues, but he has looked his best all season, so he may be turning a corner.
Offense for Pittsburgh is on fire, as Sidney Crosby continued his dominance over Philadelphia. Their defense still has moments of lapses, but they did better this series. Matt Murray may be rounding into form once again, as he has each of the last two playoff seasons. Injuries to Evgeni Malkin and Carl Hagelin bear watching.
Prediction: Penguins in 6
(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (3) San Jose Sharks
The Golden Knights were very good defensively, as they only allowed three goals all series against Los Angeles. Marc-Andre Fleury looks like he's also turned back the clock, and with a solid no-name blue line in front of him, the defense looks formidable. Offensively, they had some issues, but they made the goals when they counted, and look like they are just scratching the surface.
San Jose nearly matched the Golden Knights on defense, only allowing four goals to Anaheim in a sweep. They also showed some fire offensively, as they put up an eight spot in a game 3 win and also won by three in the first game of the series. Martin Jones looks every bit of the goaltender that the Sharks were hoping to get when they traded for him in 2015, and Evander Kane is producing on the ice for them. Like Vegas, though, the Sharks were rarely tested, so this should be a fairly even series.
Prediction: Golden Knights in 6
(1) Nashville Predators vs. (2) Winnipeg Jets
The Predators had their struggles against Colorado to begin the series, but once game 4 started, their defense began to tighten up, only allowing four goals in the last three games, and the Predators closing up the issue of slow starts that plagued them in the first three games. Though their defensemen were shut down offensively, as they only managed one goal the entire series, their forwards more than made up for it, especially the Austin Watson-Nick Bonino-Colton Sissons line.
Winnipeg had an easier time with the Minnesota Wild apart from a game 3 hiccup. Connor Hellebuyck is coming off consecutive shutouts, their defense is rounding into form, and like the Predators, they can kill you in many ways offensively. What it may come down to is which home ice advantage will win out.
Prediction: Predators in 7
(1) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (2) Boston Bruins
Just as I get to this series, Boston emphatically closes it out.
The Lightning had little trouble in disposing a Devils team that simply didn't have the depth or playoff experience to stay with them. Andrei Vasilevsky is coming out of a late-season funk, their blue line is looking better, and their offense is so good that Steven Stamkos isn't even the second best option to score.
The Bruins had their issues with a Toronto team that was even in terms of ability. In the end, the Bruins outlasted the Leafs and will be coming into the series with some momentum. Tuukka Rask may have some issues, as he hasn't always been at his best, but the blue line in front of him is still capable. Offensively, this may be their most surprising aspect, as they have guys not named Brad Marchand that can kill you. David Pastrnak is becoming a stud, and they are getting production from guys like Torey Krug from the blue line.
Prediction: Boston in 7
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