Making the Rounds

Now that we're about two weeks into the playoffs, we may as well check in on each first round series, see what's going on, what to expect, and how my initial predictions are looking.

WESTERN CONFERENCE
1. Vancouver Canucks vs. 8. Chicago Blackhawks-Series tied 3-3
With the powerhouse Canucks, it didn't come as much a surprise when Vancouver took a commanding 3-0 lead in the series. But after that, Roberto Luongo is starting to show why he may be the new Evgeni Nabakov. For all of his extraordinary regular season numbers, Evgeni Nabakov never showed up in the playoffs for the Sharks, who let the goaltender go after a decade of disappointment. So far with the Canucks, Bobby Lu has put up elite numbers every year, but the Canucks have yet to get very far come April. His team has been eliminated by Chicago in the playoffs for the past two seasons, and believe it or not, have a serious chance at the hat trick. Since grabbing the 3-0 lead, the Canucks have lost two games in dramatic fashion plus an overtime thriller to the down-but-not-out defending champs. Luongo was even pulled in one of them, and Alain Vignault chose to start Corey Schneider in Game 6, though he was later injured on a penalty shot and replaced by Luongo. Facing the sweep, Chicago ignited for a 7-2 win, and followed it up with a 5-0 pounding in Vancouver. The chances of Chicago making the miraculous comeback are slim to none on paper, but they are now only one road win away in a year where the road team seems to have the advantage. If they can keep the pedal to the floor, they could pull it off. This is Vancouver's series to lose.
Previous prediction: Vancouver wins
Status: seemed pretty good, but not anymore. next victor wins the series. could go either way
2. San Jose Sharks vs. 7. Los Angeles Kings-SJS leads 3-2
The Kings have shown during this series why they should not be counted out. But then again, they have also shown why they should. With the loss of Anze Kopitar, the 7th-seeded Kings entered this series the clear underdogs. They showed their stuff in game 1 by bringing the hungry Sharks into overtime, where they would eventually lose. They followed it up with a 4-0 shutout against one of the best offenses in the league to even the series at a game apiece. Early in the second period of game three, things seemed to be looking good for the Kings. Their quick 4-0 lead in game three after a 4-0 shutout in the previous game probably had many thinking the Kings would soon have the series locked up. But then the Sharks scored 5 second period goals. The Kings would blow this very sizeable lead and go on to lose the game 6-5 in overtime. After this debacle, they needed to bounce back, but were defeated handiliy in game four, 6-3. The Kings responded well with another quick 3-goal explosion in the first period of game 5. They held on for the 3-1 win and now return home to Los Angeles facing a 3-2 deficit. They have showed flashes of brilliance but also flashes of extreme failure. If they can stay at the top of their game, they have a chance to make a comeback. But they need to win both of the next two games, and the Sharks are circling.
Previous prediction: San Jose wins
Status: still looking good

3. Detroit Red Wings vs. 6. Phoenix Coyotes-DET wins 4-0
Though the Coyotes at times put up a decent fight, the Red Wings were as dominant as ever in this series and will be a formidable foe for whoever they face in the next round. They have a nice long break after the sweep to get rested up for their next opponent.
Previous prediction: Detroit wins
Status: Correct

4. Anaheim Ducks vs. 5. Nashville Predators-NSH wins 4-2
After an up and down first four games, the Predators turned it up a notch in games 5 and 6 and are now headed to the second-rond for the first time in franchise history. Mike Fisher is proving to have been a valuable pickup so far in the postseason.
Prediction: Nashville wins
Status: Correct

EASTERN CONFERENCE
1. Washington Capitals vs. 8. New York Rangers-WSH wins 4-1
New York played well at times but could gave the talented caps too many opportunities, including blowing a Game 4 lead of 3 goals going into the thrid period which could have evened the series 2-2. Caps goalies are still unproved, but their offense has been clicking at the right times.
Previous prediction: Washington wins.
Status: correct

2. Philadelphia Flyers vs. 7. Buffalo Sabres-Series tied 3-3
This is a very close series. No team has lead the series by more than a game, and only one game was decided more more than one goal. And that game was decided by two goals, including an empty-netter. The last two games have been decided in overtime. After a comeback win on the road, you would have to think Philly has the momentum coming home for Game 7. Buffalo needs to up their scoring and hold onto a lead. Two of their wins have been 1-0, and yesterday they lost in overtime after giving up a two-goal lead. Buffalo will likely be missing Jason Pominville again after his ankle was sliced open with a skate, and now Tim Connolly is out after a brutal hit from behind by Flyers Captain Mike Richards which yielded no more than a two-minute minor penaltyfor boarding. Derek Roy is returning to the lineup for Game 7 however, which could be a huge spark for the Sabres offense. He was the team's leading scorer when he went down, with 35 points in 35 games, but after missing a significant amount of time, he may not even have time to shake the rust off before the Sabres are sent packing. Chris Pronger was also back in the lineup for Philly yesterday, playing only on the powerplay. The more action he sees, the more effective he will be. The deciding factor in this game 7 could be the goaltending. The Flyers goaltending has been awful for most of the series and Boucher and Leighton have been playing musical chairs in the crease. Ryan Miller has been on and off this series, but when he's on, he can bring the calibur of goaltending to the net that made him last year's Vezina Trophy winner.
Previous prediction: Buffalo wins
Status: could go either way, next victor wins the series.

3. Boston Bruins vs. 6. Montreal Canadiens-BOS leads 3-2
Bston looked awful at home, dropping the first 2 games of the series, but theybounced back very well with two road victories in Montreal and another home win in Game 5, turnong a 2-0 series deficit into a 3-2 series lead. They have shown some resiliency, making the comeback in the series and well as a comeback on the road in Game 4. Now they head into Montreal where they are 2-0 this seires. They now just need to win one of the next two games to advance. This is bound to be a close, hard-battling finish to the seires, after two-straight overtime games between the fiercest rivals in the game. If Montreal gets a lead, they need to do a better job of holding onto it. Boston needs more production out og the Krejci-Horton-Lucic line.
Previous prediction: Boston wins.
Status: wasn't looking good after Game 2, but now the Bruins seems to be in control.

4. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 5. Tampa Bay Lightning-PIT leads 3-2
Pittsburgh took a 3-1 series lead and the Lightning seemed to be struggling massively. The Lightning's powerful offense finally burst in Game 5, erupting for an 8-2 victory in Pittsburgh, which included two goals each by Stamkos, Gagne, and Kubina. Stamkos's two goals could wake him up from his recent dormacny which could be huge to this series and beyond. When the Lightning are scoring, they are winning. In their two victories this series, they have scored 13 goals. meanwhile in their three losses, they have found the back of the net only 4 times. If their offense is clicking, the Penguins are no match for them. Still, they  would need to pull off victoryies in both of the next two games to advance.
Previous predictions: Tampa Bay wins
Status: looking a little bit better after last game, but Pittsburgh is still in control of this series.


Second Round matchup scenarios by team

WEST:

Vancouver-needs to win Game 7 vs. Chicago to move on.
 If San Jose wins, they will face Nashville.
 If Los Angeles wins, they will face Los Angeles.

San Jose-needs to win Game 6 or Game 7 vs. Los Angeles to move on.
 If Vancouver wins, they will face Detroit.
 If Chicago wins, they will face Chicago.

Detroit-moved on.
 If Vancouver and San Jose win, they will face San Jose.
 If Vancouver and Los Angeles win, they will face Nashville.
 If Chicago and San Jose win, they will face Nashville.
 If Chicago and Los Angeles win, they will face Chicago.

Anaheim-eliminated.

Nashville-moved on.
 If Vancouver and San Jose win, they will face Vancouver.
 If Vancouver and Los Angeles win, they will face Detroit.
 If Chicago and San Jose win, they will face Detroit.
 If Chicago and Los Angeles win, they will face Los Angeles.

Phoenix-elimianted.

Los Angeles-needs to win Games 6 and Game 7 vs. San Jose to move on.
 If Vancouver wins, they will face Vancouver.
 If Chicago wins, they will face Nashville.

Chicago-needs to win Game 7 vs. Vancouver to move on.
 If San Jose wins, they will face San Jose.
 If Los Angeles wins, they will face Detroit.

EAST:

Washington-moved on.
 If Buffalo wins, they will face Buffalo.
 If Philadelphia and Montreal win, they will face Montreal.
 If Philadelphia, Boston and Tampa Bay win, they will face Tampa Bay.
 If Philadelphia, Boston and Pittsburgh win, they will face Pittsburgh.

Philadelphia-needs to win Game 7 vs. Buffalo to move on.
 If Montreal and Pittsburgh win, they will face Pittsburgh.
 If Montreal and Tampa Bay win, they will face Tampa Bay.
 If Boston wins, they will face Boston.

Boston-needs to win Game 6 or Game 7 vs. Montreal to move on.
 If Buffalo and Pittsburgh win, they will face Pittsburgh.
 If Buffalo and Tampa Bay win, they will face Tampa Bay.
 If Philadelphia wins, they will face Philadelphia.

Pittsburgh-needs to win Game 6 or Game 7 vs. Tampa Bay to move on.
 If Philadelphia and Boston win, they will face Washington.
 If Philadelphia and Montreal win, they will face Philadelphia.
 If Buffalo and Montreal win, they will face Montreal.
 If Buffalo and Boston win, they will face Boston.

Tampa Bay-needs to win Game 6 and Game 7 vs. Pittsburgh to move on.
 If Philadelphia and Boston win, they will face Washingston.
 If Philadelphia and Montreal win, the will face Philadelphia.
 If Buffalo and Montreal win, they will face Montreal.
 If Buffalo and Boston win, they will face Boston.

Montreal-needs to win Game 6 and Game 7 vs. Boston to move on.
 If Philadelphia wins, they will face Washington.
 If Buffalo and Pittsburgh win, they will face Pittsburgh.
 If Buffalo and Tampa Bay win, they will face Tampa Bay.

Buffalo-needs to win Game 7 vs. Philadelphia to move on.
 They will face Washington.