The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: Third round predictions

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Pittsburgh Penguins (2nd in Metropolitan Division) vs. Ottawa Senators (2nd in Atlantic Division)
After defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets in the opening round and the Washington Capitals (for the 10th time in franchise history!) in the second round (thus far, in the 11 times they have met in the playoffs, Washington only defeated Pittsburgh once, in the first round back in 1994), the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are the defending Stanley Cup Champions, face the Ottawa Senators, who are the sole Canadian team remaining. Ottawa won two of the three regular season meetings between the teams; Pittsburgh have won three of the four playoff series meetings the two teams have. The only series win Ottawa had over Pittsburgh to date was in 2007, which was their sole Stanley Cup Finals appearance to date (they lost to Anaheim in five games).
Prediction: Pittsburgh in six games.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Anaheim Ducks (1st in Pacific Division) vs. Nashville Predators (2nd wild card)
After escaping Alberta, defeating Calgary in the opening round and defeating Edmonton in the second round, the Ducks face the Nashville Predators in the Western Conference. The Predators are in their first ever Western Conference Finals appearance, and are only the fourth final playoff seed to go as far as the conference finals in the modern playoff format (Edmonton did it in 2006, Montréal did it in 2010, and Los Angeles did it in 2012; Los Angeles ended up winning their first ever Stanley Cup that year). The Predators' run is already historic, as they became the first ever bottom seed in the modern playoff format to sweep the top seeded conference team in the opening round after shockingly sweeping the Chicago Blackhawks four games to nothing in the opening round. They defeated the St. Louis Blues in six games in the second round. The Predators and Ducks have met in the playoffs twice; the Predators won both times, including last season.
Prediction: Nashville in seven games.

I like the Penguins but I think it's going to be a tough series. 6 or 7 games.

From what I've seen of the Predators, they're tough to beat. I'll go with them in 5 games.

I don't think I can go against the Pens. Ottawa is underwhelming. Let's say 4-1 Pittsburgh.

The Predators vs Ducks is an interesting battle between big top line centermen, and the JoFA-line vs Rakell-Getzlaf-Perry.

I think in the end the Preds have better D and goaltending. 4-1 Predators.

Nashville clinched their first ever Stanley Cup Finals appearance on Monday night. Who would have seen that coming at the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs?

Ottawa forced a seventh game in their series against the Penguins last night.

Required Fields wrote:

Nashville clinched their first ever Stanley Cup Finals appearance on Monday night. Who would have seen that coming at the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs?

Ottawa forced a seventh game in their series against the Penguins last night.

No one would have seen that coming and for the Pens and the hammering they gave Ottawa at home, 7 nil, it was expected they would lose game 6.

I don't know, I had the Preds going pretty far. At least winning the Central bracket.

The Penguins won last night 3-2 in double OT.

For the second year in a row, Pittsburgh makes the Stanley Cup Finals, and faces a team who has never made the Stanley Cup Finals.

That was a great, intense game. Kudos to Chris Kunitz in being just the fourth person in NHL history to score 2 game 7 goals.

Go Pens!!!!