Playoff Hockey: NHL Round Two Picks and Preview

By: Garret Kryzanowski

As I write this blog we are already one day into round two of the NHL playoffs; two games have been played but I won't let that change my picks or opinions on round two. Round two should be even more exciting then round one, so let's jump right in.

M1. Carolina Hurricanes vs M2. New Jersey Devils

I predicted half of this series in my round one blog but nobody is perfect. The Carolina Hurricanes handled the New York Islanders for most of the series and may have even swept the Islanders if not for the amazing performance of the Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin. there opponent, the New Jersey Devils took a different path to the second round, needing seven games to close out the rival New York Rangers. The Devils had the help of their own goaltender Akira Schmid; who posted two shutouts in the first round series. This series will be a battle. The Devils have the youth while the Hurricanes have experience and past disappointments in the playoffs in there corner. The winner will have to win the series in seven games, so who will win? The New Jersey Devils are my pick, while they continue a dream run the Hurricanes will go home disappointed once again.

A2. Toronto Maple Leafs vs WC 2. Florida Panthers

Perhaps the most surprising outcome in the first round was the Toronto Maple Leafs winning their first playoff series since 2004. There opponent? The second most surprising outcome of the first round; the Florida Panthers who beat the best regular season of all time in the Boston Bruins. This was definitely the most surprising second round matchup. For the Maple Leafs, there talented roster finally broke through. Saving the jobs of the there head coach and general manager, however, the pressure will only increase in round two. For the Panthers they have no pressure at all, they weren't even supposed to make it this far. They did get beaten around by the Bruins in round one and fatigue could be a big possibility and I think it will be a huge factor. The Toronto Maple Leafs and there talented core will once again be victorious in six games, moving on to the Conference Finals. The Florida Panthers will go home happy that they overachieved for once.

C2. Dallas Stars vs WC1. Seattle Kraken

I didn't have either of these teams making it two the second round, so I guess we can call that a rare miss on my part. The Dallas Stars had the better goalie in their series against the Wild and that was the difference maker. Jake Oettinger is an absolute brick wall, especially in the playoffs. There opponent, the Seattle Kraken are another surprising team in these playoffs. The second year franchise wore down the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche to win their first ever playoff series. They hit them early and hit them hard. With no true best player they win by a complete team effort and seem to thrive in hostile road environments. That team effort won't be enough unfortunately. Oettinger is way too good to be beat by a team effort. The Dallas Stars will win in seven games to book a ticket to the Conference Finals for the first time since 2020. The Kraken will go home happy with the result of there season and hopeful for the future.

P1. Vegas Golden Knights vs P2. Edmonton Oilers

Now I did correctly pick this series, like usual. I did expect the Golden Knights to be in a much tougher series in the first round. The Winnipeg Jets had other plans, deciding to just roll over and play dead the entire series. The Edmonton Oilers played in a slightly tougher series against the Los Angeles Kings. Stuart Skinner started his first playoff series out a little rocky but has proven to be a better option then any goalie the Oilers have had in the McDavid era. Speaking of McDavid, he was slowed down for a lot of this series but that won't continue. The Oilers and Golden Knights play high paced and high scoring games and I expect McDavid to be at the center of that. This series is black and white in my eyes. The team with the world's best player is going to win and that is McDavid. The Edmonton Oilers are going to win in five games. This may be the Oilers year, for the Golden Knights they get to go golfing sooner than they wanted.

The first round was full of upsets and surprises. But if you read this article then you won't be surprised because I have told you everything that is going to happen already. The playoffs only get better as the number of teams get smaller. If your team is still in the playoffs, goodluck. If your team isn't, welcome to the party of wishing they were. The second round is going to be must see television so enjoy it.