NHL Playoffs 2018 Second Round Commences

By Tommy Kane

Published: April 26th, 2018

Volume II: Issue XXV

The Second Round of the NHL Playoffs are already here and there has been some amazing action. From the Las Vegas Golden Knights sweeping in their first NHL Playoff series in franchise history, to Jake Guentzel scoring four goals to lift the Pittsburgh Penguins over the Philadelphia Flyers, all the way to the amazing Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins series, it has been more than exciting. Anticipate the fast-paced action to carry over to the Second Round. Let’s look at each series ahead.

2. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 1. Washington Capitals:

This will be the third straight year that the Pittsburgh Penguins will face the Washington Capitals in the Second Round, both seeding 1 and 2 all three years. The Penguins have been able to beat the Capitals both those years, eventually winning the Stanley Cup. Just coming off a huge series-clinching win in Philadelphia, the Penguins look like favorites (this is their ninth-straight series victory, tying a franchise record!). Despite all the hype the Penguins have been getting, Braden Holtby has won four straight games ever since he relieved Phillipp Grubauer. Holtby has a save percentage of .936. On the other side of the rink, the Penguins stand to have the most goals in the Playoffs so far. Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel lead the Playoffs in points (13) and goals (6). This dynamic duo has been skating on the same line and it is paying dividends. In the end, the Penguins edge the Capitals once again. Penguins win 4-3.

2. Boston Bruins vs. 1. Tampa Bay Lightning:

The Tampa Bay Lightning will face the Boston Bruins in a great Second Round match-up. The Lighting easily struck down the New Jersey Devils, as the Bruins barely clawed their way out of their series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Bruins will be hopping into the series shortly, while the Lightning have had plenty of time to plan their attack. The Bruins have David Pastrnak, a young buck who has scored 11 points thus far in the Playoffs. He will be on the watch-list for certain! For the Lightning, Nikita Kucherov has scored five huge goals and continues to be a major threat for the team. Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has a save percentage of .941 and was pivotal in the First Round of the Playoffs. When it comes down to it, the team with better talent and more energy lasts longer. Lightning will strike twice this time! Lightning win the series 4-2.

2. Winnipeg Jets vs. 1. Nashville Predators:

The Winnipeg Jets and Nashville Predators will face each other in the Second Round. The Jets flew past the Minnesota Wild as the Predators maneuvered past the Colorado Avalanche. This series will be a grind for both teams due to the obsession of winning the Cup for once. The Jets looked really impressive in net; Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck had a save percentage of .924. They also seemed to rally at home and created chances from little opportunities. The Wild could not keep up and the Jets have proved to be a contender for the Cup this season. On the other side of the rink, the Predators are rocking. Filip Forsberg is contributing to the offensive run, scoring four goals in the Playoffs thus far. Mike Fisher has also been hot from the faceoff circle (75.5%), leading to great opportunities that result in big goals. The Predators have a fight that many teams are lacking, and the Jets will not be able to match the intensity that the Predators will show. Preds win 4-2.

3. San Jose Sharks vs. 1. Las Vegas Golden Knights:

The Las Vegas Golden Knights are continuing their run for the Stanley Cup, but the San Jose Sharks stand in their way and they are hungry. Both of these teams swept their First Round opponents and will fight until the last-minute of the last game of overtime. Marc-Andre Fleury is playing some the best hockey that only Penguins fans could wish for. He has a save percentage of .977 and is leading the Playoffs. He also posted two shut-outs so far against the Los Angeles Kings. It is no surprise at all that the Golden Knights are performing at a high level. The Sharks are just as hungry as the Knights though; they better hope that their armor can stay strong! Goalie Martin Jones is right behind Fleury with a save percentage of .970. The stars of the Sharks are also yearning for a shot at the Stanley Cup. When it all comes down to it, experience is going to play a huge role in this series, as it usually does (look at the Penguins for example, nine straight series wins!). The Golden Knights will be fighting until the end, but their armor will fail and the Sharks will cut right through the Knights in seven. Sharks win 4-3.

I hope everyone is enjoying this years Stanley Cup Playoffs. These games are really exciting and stay tuned for the output! Happy hockey, and as always, GO PENS!!!

Stats: http://www.nhl.com

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