And then there were four.
To help pass the time in this interminable gap between the end of the second round and the start of the conference finals, the Defending Big D staff has put together our staff predictions for the third round of the playoffs, though especially when it comes to the Western Conference picks, there isn’t much dissension.
Because we should keep score with everything in sports, Derek and Erin have had the most successful predictions so far with nine of the 12 possible series picked correctly, including three of those series with the correct number of games. Taylor, Robert and Wes have all picked eight winners correctly (Taylor leading with five correct number of games), and Josh isn’t far behind with seven.
Josh Lile, Managing Editor
EAST
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New York Rangers
Tampa is a deeper team with a significantly better defense. Tampa in 6.
WEST
Chicago Blackhawks vs Anaheim Ducks
Chicago in 4. This shouldn’t be much of a matchup.
Erin Bolen, Editor
EAST
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New York Rangers
The Rangers play their best with their backs against the wall and are a much better overall team than the Montreal Canadiens, but the Lightning have speed to burn and skill for days. This will be the more entertaining of the conference finals. Tampa in seven.
WEST
Chicago Blackhawks vs Anaheim Ducks
It’s tempting to say the Hawks are much better team than the Ducks and should therefore run them out of the building. But much like the Rangers play best with their backs against the wall, the Ducks are much more than the sum of their parts. It’s won be enough though. Hawks in six.
Taylor Baird, Editor
EAST
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New York Rangers
Tampa has the speed and the goalscoring, Rangers have King Henrik. I think Tampa wins games that aren’t 2-1. Tampa in 6.
WEST
Chicago Blackhawks vs Anaheim Ducks
I don’t think the Ducks get swept but I don’t think they win more than 2. I’ll go Chicago in 5.
Huw Wales, Staff Writer
EAST
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New York Rangers
I think Tampa’s goalscoring beats the Rangers goaltending. Lundquist might keep them in it but I think Tampa has got a pretty good chance in this one. Tampa in six.
WEST
Chicago Blackhawks vs Anaheim Ducks
My gut instinct says Chicago advance. They have been impressive throughout the post season while the Ducks have had (arguably) an easier road to this point. Anaheim will win a game or two to make it interesting though. Blackhawks in six.
Robert Tiffin, Staff Writer
EAST
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New York Rangers
The Lightning’s offense finally coalesces, and the Rangers sans-Boyle can’t withstand it even with the King in the crease. Lightning in five.
WEST
Chicago Blackhawks vs Anaheim Ducks
Chicago sweeps Anaheim with such ease that the league unanimously agrees to revoke the Ducks’ cup from 2007 as punishment. The Ducks fold in utter shame and despair, and the franchise is relocated to Guam, where it is popular, if not overwhelmingly so. Hawks in four.
Derek Neumeier, Staff Writer
EAST
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New York Rangers
Ah, the classic “unstoppable force versus immovable object” story. Tampa has the league’s best offense, while Henrik Lundqvist is nearly unbeatable right now. This one will go the distance, but the Rangers will eventually find cracks in Ben Bishop’s armor and that will be the difference. Rangers in 7.
WEST
Chicago Blackhawks vs Anaheim Ducks
After warming up against Nashville and breezing through Minnesota the Blackhawks are on a serious roll right now. Patrick Kane is hungry to keep playing after missing so much time. However, how much will Anaheim’s menacing forecheck wear down a vulnerable Hawks blueline? It’ll be close, but Chicago is a well-oiled machine. Hawks in 6.
Wesley Lawrence, Staff Writer
EAST
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New York Rangers
The Bolts are a better (much better) version of the Washington Capitals, who just took the Rangers to seven games. Henrik Lundqvist always means there’s a chance the Rangers will win, but at the end of the day, Tampa Bay has too many weapons. Lightning in six.
WEST
Chicago Blackhawks vs Anaheim Ducks
All due respect to Calgary and Winnipeg, but this will be the first NHL team Anaheim has played this post season. This could mean that the Ducks are relatively rested and ready for a serious test. It could also mean they’re something of a paper tiger. I will say that the fact both teams boast elite scoring, but neither can claim top-end goaltending makes this one interesting. The Ducks will do better than we think, but Chicago has more of everything. Hawks in seven.