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NHL Playoff Predictions: Defending Big D Staff Likes Rangers, Blackhawks In Second Round

After a relatively successful first-round of predictions (four members of the DBD staff picked six of the eight series winners correctly, and Taylor nailed the number of games in five of those), we here at DBD have moved on to using our soothsaying powers for the second round.

For those tracking the internal battle, Taylor, Erin, Robert and Derek all picked six correctly last time around, with all four successfully picking all four Eastern Conference winners. Josh and Wes had five of the eight correct, with each tripped up by those pesky Islanders.

No member of the DBD staff had more than two correct in the Western Conference. The Western Conference is weird.

Here’s what we see happening in round two:

Josh Lile, Managing Editor

EAST
Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers
The Rangers have Henrik Lundqvist. Rangers in 5.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens
Montreal can’t handle the depth of Tampa Bay. Tampa continues their path to the Cup in 6.

WEST
Calgary Flames vs. Anaheim Ducks
Both teams are meh. Calgary is more fun to watch. Calgary in 7.

Minnesota Wild vs. Chicago Blackhawks
I figured Chicago would lose to Nashville, but then Shea Weber got hurt. Instead of losing to Nashville, Minnesota loses to Chicago in 5.

Brad Gardner, Editor (chiming in from IR with an ACL repair)

EAST
Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers

Little rest for Caps after long series, and the psychological barrier that is New York for them. Still, to hold the Islanders down like that was impressive. I like another long series, but ultimately New York. In seven, whynot.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens
All I could think as I watched TB capitulate to a Detroit onslaught, saved by Bishop, was “they’re going to be tired come Friday night, and emotionally drained.” Hope I’m wrong for Morrow’s sake. Montreal in six.

WEST
Calgary Flames vs. Anaheim Ducks
Pass. Can I take pass? Yuck. Calgary wins and it’s validation that they’ve roared past Dallas. Ducks win and we have more Perry/Getzlaf to watch, and the chance that Ducks could surpass Stars in cup wins. No winning here. Intellectually, I’d say Ducks in 6.

Minnesota Wild vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Voting emotionally here as well – Not wanting to admit Wild are so far ahead of Stars next season, I’ll take Chicago in a tough six. Dubnyk can’t carry them much further? Right?

Erin Bolen, Editor

EAST
Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers
The Capitals will have the early momentum in this series, but the Rangers are probably a more well-rounded team and have a more proven playoff netminder. That makes all the difference this time of year. Rangers in six.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens
The hardest series to pick in this round may actually be a slightly easier matchup for the Bolts, as the Canadiens don’t quite have the team-defensive system as the Wings; they still have Carey Price though. Canadiens in seven.

WEST
Calgary Flames vs. Anaheim Ducks
Two enemies of the analytics movement meet to see if the Ducks ridiculous luck in close games or the Flames defying of all trends Corsi breaks first. Anaheim in six.

Minnesota Wild vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Dubnyk’s groin still hasn’t exploded, but the Wild also bled shot attempts and chances to the Blues. Combine that with this being the Hawks time of year, and this series is a tough one for Minnesota. Chicago in seven.

Taylor Baird, Editor

EAST
Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers
This has to be the year the Caps get past those Rangers. Ovechkin gets an Ovechtrick and Tom Wilson continues to make friends in New York. Washington in 6.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens
I picked the Lightning to win the Cup, and while Detroit proved tougher to get past, it’ll just solidify this group’s resolve. Only reason it’ll be a long series is because of Carey Price. Tampa Bay in 7.

WEST
Calgary Flames vs. Anaheim Ducks
I’d prefer to see the Calgary Flames continue to defy all logic that says they should not be this good, and Anaheim’s ability to win these close games is going to have to turn around and bite them sometime. Calgary in 6 for funsies.

Minnesota Wild vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago has been here, done that, and has the t-shirt to prove it. They’ll have no problems dispatching Minnesota because Devan Dubnyk will not hold up much longer. Chicago in 5.

Robert Tiffin, Staff Writer

EAST
Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers
New York is in as good a place as you can be with a rested Lundqvist and defensive depth for miles, but Washington showed their mettle in round one. Should be a tight, boring Eastern Conference series. Rangers in 6.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens
Unfortunately for fans everywhere, we live in a world where amazing goalies can nullify the best offense in the league. Habs in 7, and we’ll all hate ourselves for letting it happen.

WEST
Calgary Flames vs. Anaheim Ducks
Calgary in 4 and the Anaheim City Council decides to suspend the Ducks’ arena lease at Honda Center indefinitely, triggering a slapdash franchise relocation to sunny Bedford Falls, Oregon. Everybody wins!

Minnesota Wild vs. Chicago Blackhawks
I am very excited for this series because I can see either team winning it. Chicago still seems to have enough left in the tank, but Dubnyk and Parise could turn the tide. Chicago in 5 and Minnesota leaves wishing they weren’t going to have their stadium series shortly ruined by these same Hawks. Way to go, Minny.

Derek Neumeier, Staff Writer

EAST
Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers
Despite having Ovechkin and Backstrom on offense, the Caps offense will be shut down by King Henrik, who will be the story this series. Rangers in 6.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens
If Tampa couldn’t score much against Detroit then they’re not going to be able to score now against Carey Price. Season series be damned. Canadiens in 6.

WEST
Calgary Flames vs. Anaheim Ducks
The Flames were a great story in round one, but the Ducks play the exact same style of hockey and play it much, much better and with more experience. Ducks in 6.

Minnesota Wild vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Zach Parise will be great, but Devan Dubnyk will look a little more human as the Chicago offense comes to life and steals the series. Corey Crawford will also be there. Blackhawks in 7.

Huw Wales, Staff Writer

EAST
Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers
The Rangers goaltending beats Ovechkin and the Caps goalscoring. Rangers in 6.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens
Carey Price will keep the Habs going but its going to be a long series, Habs in 7.

WEST
Calgary Flames vs. Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim are just going to stomp all over Calgary, Anaheim in five.

Minnesota Wild vs. Chicago Blackhawks
I don’t think Minnesota can keep relying on Dubynk, and Chicago are starting to build up momentum. Chicago in six.

Wesley Lawrence, Staff Writer (new proud father to a future Stars fan!)

EAST
Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers
The Caps slugged out a cathartic 7 game victory versus the Isles. Good for them. Unfortunately, the Rangers are a bit better rested, have superior goaltending, and enough scoring. NYR in six.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens
I sort of feel like the Bolts needed one win to get rolling. They’re past the Wings, and Les Habs aren’t exactly a defensive juggernaut (Carey Price aside). I also feel like Stamkos has a big series, for some reason. Tampa Bay in five.

WEST
Calgary Flames vs. Anaheim Ducks
Plucky little Calgary versus big bad Anaheim. I can see the Flames sneaking an early win, or two, but they’ll be pulp by the end of the series. Ducks in five.

Minnesota Wild vs. Chicago Blackhawks
My head says Chicago, but at this point, there’s a “team of destiny” whiff about the Wild. The Hawks weren’t exactly impervious to offense, now that I think about it. I say the Cinderfella run continues. Wild in six.

Talking Points