Round Two

Well, with Vancouver's victory over Dallas* in last night's playoff game, we've got all of the second-round pairings lined up. Unfortunately for Detroit, the Stars' loss means we have to face the San Jose Sharks. They've had plenty of time to rest after beating Nashville in five games, and Detroit has guys on the injured list (Lebda, Holmstrom). This is a series that could go either way, but I'm going to be optimistic and go with the Wings in seven games.

We're better defensively than San Jose is, I believe, and better in goal. Both teams are equally deep offensively, and San Jose is overall a bigger team. If the Wings can put as many shots on net against the Sharks as they did against the Flames, while keeping them from doing the same, we'll win this series.

Other series:

• Vancouver Canucks vs. Anaheim Ducks: the Canucks damn near folded against the Stars, Luongo's heroics in net notwithstanding; I don't see them having a chance against Anaheim. Ducks in Five.
• Ottawa Senators vs. New Jersey Devils: the Senators are too strong offensively to be overcome even by the Devils excellent defense and goaltending, but those factors will draw out the series. Senators in Six.
• New York Rangers vs. Buffalo Sabres: the Rangers had a surprisingly easy first round against the suddenly overmatched Thrashers.** Lundqvist is a better goalie than Miller, but that's the only real advantage I see for New York in this series; New York's underrated defense will still not be able to keep up with Buffalo's insane speed. Sabres in Five.

Now we'll see how good I am at predicting the future; the second round starts Wednesday.

Update: Seems like the ESPN analyst and I are on the same page, except that he expects the Sharks to win in seven games (boo!), and the Sabres-Rangers series to also go to seven. I just don't see it.

*(For once, it will be unfair that Turco gets made the goat of the series. He recorded two shutouts to tie up the series, and the rest of the team just couldn't get it done.)
**(Note to the Thrashers: welcome to the playoffs. Everyone else is going to be stepping up their game just a bit; you might want to do the same.)