Second Round Heats Up as Conference Finals Beckon

The NHL playoffs are reaching that critical juncture where depth, health, and mental toughness separate contenders from pretenders. Teams that survived the first round gauntlet now face opponents who've had extra rest and time to scheme, making every possession and power play opportunity exponentially more valuable. The margin for error shrinks considerably at this stage, and one or two key injuries could derail even the most talented rosters.