Stanley Cup Playoffs 2017: Second Round Predictions
The Stars and Sticks staff predicts each of the second round series of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs begins on Wednesday with both of the Western Conference series getting underway. There have already been three massive upsets in the postseason and there could be more ahead. Each of the series should be exciting and competitive.
Who will win each series? Here’s what the Stars And Sticks staff thinks will happen in each series. The Washington Capitals versus Pittsburgh Penguins series won’t be included because we’ve already previewed it. You can check out the roundtable discussion and our predictions for that series here.
St. Louis Blues vs. Nashville Predators
Washington Capitals
Dave Stevenson: I’m not shy about my admiration of P.K. Subban. Few players deserve a Stanley Cup more than him. And you know Subban’s bringing it with him to Montreal, where he can shove it in the face of the same people who thought he was the problem with the Canadiens. Also, I’m a fan of ironic narratives, so why not root for a Filip Forsberg versus Washington Capitals Stanley Cup Final? Predators in six.
Subir Nigam: Blues win series 4-3. I don’t think Nashville plays as well as they did vs Chicago and Blues are able to pull out the win in Game 7.
Alan Helimsky: Predators in six. Predators have knocked their monkey off their backs, are extremely confident. The Blues are a big team and will make it much harder for the Preds to get scoring chances. Blues will hit very hard, but Nashville will hit back.
Seth Cray: Predators in five or six. Minnesota choked. Again. The Predators just swept a team that has won 3 cups in the last decade. In a best-of-seven series, that doesn’t happen because of luck. Nashville is primed for a deep run.
Anaheim Ducks vs. Edmonton Oilers
Stevenson: Oilers in seven. This should be a great series. While the Ducks haven’t lost in regulation in a very long time, they were riding momentum. The last thing they wanted was an extended break, and that’s precisely what they got. Edmonton’s speed and skill should prove to be the determining factor in the series.
Nigam: Ducks win series 4-3. I think these two teams are quite evenly matched because both teams can score and have solid goaltenders.
Helimsky: Ducks in 6. The Oilers have had a good run to start the playoffs, Gretzky must be proud. They’ll win a few games at home, but the Ducks are a bigger, faster team. They also have more depth on the back end.
Cray: Oilers in 6. Connor McDavid and the young talent Edmonton possess will propel them past an older and slower Anaheim team.
Ottawa Senators vs. New York Rangers
Stevenson: Senators in seven. Ottawa’s playing excellent hockey and their trap has been outstanding so far. It’s up to the Rangers to solve it and Alain Vigneault isn’t known for being a tactician. Still, New York has enough speed and enough elite goaltending to make this a very close series. Erik Karlsson will be the determining factor in the series.
Nigam: Rangers win series 4-2.
Helimsky: I have the Rangers winning in seven games. While the Rangers dispatched the Canadians, a virtually stronger team than Ottawa in 6, this is the second round and fatigue will be a factor. Erik Karlsson is having a playoffs of a lifetime, and will make it very hard for the Rangers. He is always on the ice.
Cray: Rangers in six or seven. Lundqvist is still showing shades of greatness even at the prime stages of father time and the Rangers have just enough offensive depth to take out Ottawa.