NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 2 Preview and Predictions
Anthony Scultore
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The NHL Playoffs opening round was a thrilling as anyone could’ve hoped with 5 series going to Game 7.
We now know all the second round matchups with two series beginning on Tuesday, May 17 and the other two set for Wednesday, May 18. Here’s a quick preview with predictions for each Round Two series.
NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Round Two Opening Schedule
In the wee hours of the morning, the NHL released its full schedule for Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
| EASTERN CONFERENCE | WESTERN CONFERENCE |
| (A1) Panthers vs (AC3) Lightning GM1: 5/17 | (C1) Avalanche vs (C3) Blues GM1: 5/17 |
| (M1) Hurricanes vs (M2) Rangers GM1: 5/18 | (P1) Flames vs (P2) Oilers GM1: 5/18 |
Now here’s a look out how I did predicting Round 1 which included 7 out of 8 hits.
| RD 1 MATCHUP | PREDICTION | RESULT | HIT/MISS |
| Panthers vs Capitals | Panthers in 6 | Panthers in 6 | ON THE MONEY |
| Maple Leafs vs Lighting | Lightning in 7 | Lightning in 7 | ON THE MONEY |
| Hurricanes vs Bruins | Bruins in 6 | Hurricanes in 7 | MISS |
| Rangers vs Penguins | Rangers in 5 | Rangers in 7 | HIT |
| Avalanche vs Predators | Avalanche in 4 | Avalanche in 4 | ON THE MONEY |
| Wild vs Blues | Blues in 7 | Blues in 6 | HIT |
| Flames vs Stars | Flames in 5 | Flames in 7 | HIT |
| Oilers vs Kings | Oilers in 6 | Oilers in 7 | HIT |
Eastern Conference Playoffs Previews and Predictions
Panthers (58-18-6) vs Lightning (51-23-8)
The Florida Panthers were fortunate that the Washington Capitals did not have Tom Wilson in the lineup and were also inept at holding leads. The Tampa Bay Lightning will be without Brayden Point for at least the start this series, nevertheless they should still be able to win this series.
Here’s how I see it, until someone can beat the 2x time defending Stanley Cup Champions picking against them will be difficult. Florida has enough offense to get the job done, but Andrei Vasilevskiy is likely going to be the difference in this one.
Prediction: Lightning beat Panthers in 7
Hurricanes (54-20-8) vs New York Rangers (52-24-6)
The Hurricanes were able to get by the Boston Bruins without starting goaltender Frederik Anderson. Can Antti Raanta outplay the New York Rangers Igor Shesterkin? That’s just one of the questions coming into this series.
Both teams needed a Game 7 to ouster their opponents with the Rangers storming back from a 3-1 series deficit to take down the Penguins. There’s just a level of resiliency in that young group that makes me think they can pull over another big playoff win.
If the Rangers can find a way to counter the Hurricanes aggressive forecheck, they should have what it takes to take it in 7.
Prediction: Rangers beat Hurricanes in 7
Western Conference Playoffs Previews and Predictions
Colorado Avalanche (56-19-7) vs St. Louis Blues (49-22-11)
The Avs dispatched of the Nashville Predators with ease in just 4 games. That is not going to happen with the St. Louis Blues.
This is going to be a war and the Blues are well versed in these kind of battles. In the end, it really is hard to pick against the super-stacked Avalanche. They have it all on both sides of the puck. However, and this will be key for their Stanley Cup hopes, can the Avs escape this series without any significant injury.
Prediction: Avalanche beat Blues in 6
Calgary Flames (50-21-11) vs Edmonton Oilers (49-27-6)
The Battle of Alberta is going to be a fun one– for the Calgary Flames.
I simply do not like the goaltending matchup of the Oilers Mike Smith versus the Flames Jacob Markstrom. The Flames ran into a hot goalie in Dallas by the name of Jake Oettinger. Meanwhile, Smith coughed up a game with an awful turnover against the Kings which probably pushed that series longer than it needed to go.
Despite the Oilers having Connor McDavid, Calgary is just too big, strong, fast, and deep for them. Maybe Mike Smith proves me wrong. Maybe McDavid continues his playoff leading scoring pace which is currently at 14 points.
Maybe– I just don’t see it.
Prediction: Flames beat Oilers in 6