2009 Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions: Round 2

Eastern Conference:

Boston Bruins vs. Carolina Hurricanes

The Bruins are too deep at forward and too physical along the blue line for the Hurricanes to match them pound for pound. The Canes only hope would be for Cam Ward to return to his Conn Smythe winning form from the 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs but even that won't be enough in a seven game series versus the top-seeded Bruins. 

Bruins in 5

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals

As a big fan of the NHL, this is a dream series for me. It's just too bad the three best players in the league, Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are playing in the second round of the playoffs and not the Conference Finals. I see this series relying on special teams and goaltending. I think the Caps PP will be too much for the Pens PK especially after facing the #1 PK in the league in round 1. Unless players like Jordan Staal and Chris Kunitz start to put the puck in the net, I think the Caps and rookie goalie Simeon Varlomov are going to squeak by the Pens. 

Caps in 7

Western Conference

Detroit Red Wings vs. Anaheim Ducks

One would think that a rematch of the past two Stanley Cup winners would be an ideal match up in the playoffs, but not for this blogger. I wish both of these two teams could lose but unfortunately one of them has to advance. As much as I hate the Red Wings, I must admit that I respect them. They are too good offensively and Osgood has proven he can still dominate in the playoffs. 

Red Wings in 6

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Vancouver Canucks

I have been on the Blackhawks bandwagon ever since they drafted South Buffalo native Patrick Kane number overall in the 2007 draft. Not to mention a hell of a captain in Jonathan Toews and I have a good friend from school that's been an intern with the Blackhawks for the past year. This is a team that I always watch on NHL Center Ice whenever the Sabres aren't playing because they play a fun style to watch. It's too bad they played the Flames in the first round because I would've loved to see that match up in the Conference finals. The only way the Blackhawks don't advance would be because of Roberto Luongo but I don't see that happening. 

Blackhawks in 7