2009 NHL Hockey Playoffs Round Two Match-ups and Predictions

The first round of the NHL Hockey Playoffs are finished and 8 teams have advanced. Unlike the basketball playoffs, teams get re-seeded after the first round. That means that the highest rated team will play against the lowest rated team remaining. The first round was exciting as the top team in the NHL was eliminated, there were two sweeps, and two teams came back from a 3 games to 1 deficit to win their series. Here are the match-ups for round two and my predictions:

#2 seed Detroit Red Wings vs. #8 seed Anaheim Ducks - The Anaheim Ducks shocked the hockey world by eliminating the top team in the league this year and the cup favorites, San Jose Sharks in six games. The defending champions, Detroit Red Wings had an easy time in the first round against the Columbus Blue Jackets, sweeping them in four games, and now looking like the team to beat in the Western Conference. The Aneheim Ducks are the best #8 seed in recent memory. This match-up will not be as easy as people think but Detroit will pull it out. Detroit Red Wings win series 4-2.

#3 seed Vancouver Canucks vs. #4 seed Chicago Blackhawks - The Vancouver Canucks will have Canada's support as they are the only Canadian team to advance to the second round. The Canucks swept the St. Louis Blues and look to be in great form as they enter the second round. It had been seven years since the Chicago Blackhawks were in the playoffs and they made the most of it by beating the Calgary Flames in six games. This is an even series and could go either way. Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo will be the key factor. Vancouver Canucks win series 4-3.

#1 seed Boston Bruins vs. #6 seed Carolina Hurricanes - The Boston Bruins are looking like the team to beat in the Eastern Conference as they dispatched of the Montreal Canadiens in four games. The Carolina Hurricanes were minutes away from elimination before scoring two goals in the last one minute and 20 seconds against the New Jersey Devils in Game 7 to advance. Carolina came back from a 3 games to 1 deficit. The Hurricanes will not be as lucky against the Bruins. The Bruins are clicking and this one isn't too hard to pick. Boston Bruins win series 4-1.

#2 seed Washington Capitals vs. #4 seed Pittsburg Penguins - The Washington Capitals came back from 3 games to 1 to beat the New York Rangers in Game 7 and advance to the next round. The Pittsburg Penguins had a hard-fought battle against the Philadelphia Flyers but came out victorious in six games. This is the best match-up of the second round. Sidney Crosby vs. Alexander Ovechkin. These teams are evenly matched but it will come down to goaltending and Pittsburg has the better goaltender in Fleury. Last year's Eastern Conference Champs will upset the Capitals. Pittsburg Penguins win series 4-2.