The 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: Second round predictions

EASTERN CONFERENCE


Washington Capitals (1st in Metropolitan Division) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (2nd in Metropolitan Division)
After an intense first round matchup with the Philadelphia Flyers, the Pittsburgh Penguins attempt to win their third consecutive Stanley Cup. They face a very common opponent in the Washington Capitals, who defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets in the opening round. The Capitals and Penguins have met in the playoffs ten times so far, and Pittsburgh have won nine of those ten times. Their first meeting was in 1991, and the only one that Washington won was in the first round of the 1994 playoffs.

Prediction: Pittsburgh in six games.

Tampa Bay Lightning (1st in Atlantic Division) vs. Boston Bruins (2nd in Atlantic Division)
The Boston Bruins advanced beyond the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2014, and they face the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Bruins won three of the four regular season meetings between the two teams. The Bruins will require goaltender Tuukka Rask to deliver more, as their offense powered them into the second round, not his goaltending.

Prediction: Tampa Bay in six games.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Nashville Predators (1st in Central Division) vs. Winnipeg Jets (2nd in Central Division)
Nashville hopes to advance to their second straight Stanley Cup Final, and survived a hard fought first round series with the Colorado Avalanche in the opening round. They face the Winnipeg Jets, who have advanced beyond the first round of the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. The Jets defeated the Minnesota Wild in five games in the opening round. This marks the first playoff meeting between the Jets and Predators.

Prediction: Nashville in six games.

Vegas Golden Knights (1st in Pacific Division) vs. San Jose Sharks (3rd in Pacific Division)
Vegas made the playoffs in their first regular season ever, and managed to become the first team to advance by sweeping the Los Angeles Kings in the opening round of the playoffs. They face the San Jose Sharks, who were the only other team to advance via sweep in the opening round (they swept the Anaheim Ducks). Vegas won three of the four regular season meetings between the two teams.

Prediction: Vegas in six games.

Pens in 6
TB in 5
Preds in 5
Vegas in 5

GO PENS!!!!!!

The Knights win by a touchdown. The Sharks had no answer all night.

And the Caps implode against the Penguins. Blowing a 2-0 third period lead and losing 3-2.

So, the teams that advanced were the Lightning, Capitals, Golden Knights, and Jets.

Good to see Nashville lose. Now we don't have to see country rumdums song the National Anthem.