Puck Daddy’s 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 2 Picks!

One of us was perfect. A few one us got around six series right. One of us picked the Jets.

But those were the first-round picks. These are the second-round picks! And here we go, picking the winners in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs’ division championships.

Greg Wyshynski, Puck Daddy Editor

Capitals in 7

Lightning in 6

Yeah, I’m buying in on the Capitals, much to both of our inevitable chagrins. You could feel the calm and confidence of this group against the Islanders, which are two things not synonymous with the Playoff Caps. The series comes down to their ability to create offensively against the deepest defense in the NHL. Says here that the Capitals offensive depth beyond Ovechkin is enough to win the one-goal games that’ll probably characterize this series. Caps in seven. Because now they win Game 7s.

As for Tampa, the Canadiens gave up 33 shots a game against the Ottawa Senators, but likely have a Carey Price to bail them out. Alas, Price was lit up against the Lightning this season: 0-4-1 with a 3.47 GAA and a .906 save percentage. Steven Stamkos won’t go goal-less for much longer and the Bolts advance in six.

Wild in 7

Ducks in 5

Thus ends the miraculous run for the Calgary Flames. The Ducks know as much about Jonas Hiller as he does them, and Anaheim can throw either their top line or Ryan Kesler against the Flames’ top unit. Bruce Boudreau finally makes his conference final in only nine playoff games.

Wild and Blackhawks should be your second-round controversy-fest. A nasty hit here. Some agitation there. Some goalie crashing over there. The way Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith are going the Blackhawks are going to be hard to beat; factor in Bryan Bickell’s domination of the Wild and that’s an even taller order. But Devan Dubnyk showed he’s playoff ready in the first round, the Blackhawks defense was a bit porous in Round 1 and Minnesota has a little something special going now. Third time is not a charm for the Blackhawks. Wild in 7. 

Sean Leahy, Puck Daddy Editor

Rangers in 6

Lightning in 7

My pre-playoff picks of the Lightning and Blackhawks are still alive, so might as well stick with them. While the Lightning looked skittish at times against the Red Wings, they managed to advance despite no goals from Steven Stamkos and a shaky Ben Bishop. You have to think that's going to turn around, because if it doesn't, Carey Price might post four shutouts in this series.

While they won in five games, the Rangers could have had a tougher go of it versus Pittsburgh. And while losing Mats Zuccarello will be tough to replace, they get back Kevin Klein, who was key during the regular to bolster their already strong defense corps. Washington was able to limit the Islanders' top guns late in the series, but the Rangers' depth could be what turns the series here.

Blackhawks in 7

Ducks in 6

If the results of either series in the West are opposite of these picks, I won't be surprised. The Wild seem like they have the makings of a team of destiny, behind the play of Zach Parise and the incredible run Devan Dubnyk is on. Chicago's top scorers are all producing like they should, and if Bryan Bickell can continue his success against Minnesota they should escape here. That is, of course, unless Corey Crawford melts down again, then all bets are off.

I think all of us -- OK, maybe not certain sections of Alberta or Vancouver -- would love to see the Flames pull off another upset. They're the story of the playoffs through Round 1 and have been overcoming odds all season, especially after they lost Mark Giordano in February. But that magic is going to come an end here at the hands of Bruce Boudreau and his Ducks. They took advantage of an injury-ravaged Jets team in Round 1 and earned that extra rest. Their goaltending appears finally in place and all parts of their lineup are producing. This looks like the team that gets Boudreau over that hump.

Josh Cooper, Puck Daddy Editor

Capitals in 7

Canadiens in 7

The Rangers are fast. The Rangers are deep on defense. The Rangers play a sound structural system. Wait, can’t you say the same about the Capitals? Both teams are so good, it really stinks that one has to win this series and the other can’t go to the Eastern Conference Final. I’m a little worried about Washington goaltender Braden Holtby, who played 73 games this season and six playoff games against the Islanders. Washington’s Alex Ovechkin vs. New York’s Henrik Lundqvist is always a fun playoff treat.

The Lightning got away with Steven Stamkos not scoring a goal against the Red Wings. The same can’t happen against Montreal. Is Stamkos hurt? Did Detroit just do an absurdly good job on him? Who knows. But he needs to score for Tampa to win this series against Montreal and all-world goaltender Carey Price. Then again, the Lightning has enough talent to win on talent alone – to sort of paraphrase Herb Brooks from the opposite perspective. Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat, Nikita Kucherov, Ben Bishop, Victor Hedman … Tampa is fast and strong everywhere. But Price, who had a 1.94 goals against average and .939 save percentage in Montreal’s first round win over Ottawa, will be the difference.

Wild in 6

Ducks in 5

This is such a tough series to pick. Chicago is healthy and had some time to rest after beating Nashville in six games. The Wild dismantled the St. Louis Blues – arguably the Western Conference’s deepest team. Devan Dubnyk wasn’t great in goal for Minnesota, but he provides such stability and they play with so much more confidence in front of him. Zach Parise (seven points in six games) is playing like it’s 2012, when he captained Devils made it to the Stanley Cup Final. Duncan Keith was phenomenal in the six games against the Predators with seven points, playing 32:03. But my gut says the Wild.

You heard it here, Calgary will win Game 1, but then the Ducks will win four straight to close it out in five games. Ryan Kesler will be such a massive pain in the butt for Calgary’s first line, of Johnny Gaudreau, Jiri Hudler and Sean Monahan. Calgary has been a great story this postseason, but the Ducks are just a bad match up for the Flames. Corey Perry (seven points in four games in Round 1) has been dynamic for Anaheim and the Flames don’t have the horses to slow him down.

Jen Neale, Puck Daddy Writer

Capitals in 7

Montreal in 6

I get a lot of flack from Rangers fans for my perceived dislike of the team. It’s an Alain Vigneault-coached team. Can you blame me? They can make it to the big show, but can’t finish. (Cough, cough, VANCOUVER, cough.) Now the same thing can be said about the Capitals over the past 10-ish years; however, they haven’t found a way past the second round. Here is where things change for Washington. Ovechkin has found his ability to score in the playoffs. That’s not even the best thing for this iteration of the Capitals - other people are scoring, too. Add in Braden Holt-BEAST at the top of his game, and I like the Caps.

Despite Tampa Bay being 5-0 against Montreal in the regular season, my gut feeling tells me the Habs are the better team. Carey Price deserves all 12-billion awards he’s nominated for. And if the Lightning had trouble scoring on Petr Mrazek in Round 1, imagine how much more difficult it’s going to be on a focused, confident Price.

Ducks in 6

Chicago in 7

I see the Flames as a younger version of the Ducks in the early part of the Bruce Boudreau era. They have a few stars, up-and-coming talent, and some veterans mixed in; however, that group is not as fine tuned as it will likely be in the next season or two. When Derryk Engelland and a guy with the last name of Wutherspoon are in your Top 6, things aren’t ideal, and yes, part of it can be chalked up to injuries. The Ducks mix is just better suited for a longer playoff run because of experience. Calgary will be dangerous, but not just yet.

The Chicago/Minnesota is all about goaltending. Mainly, Chicago’s goaltending. We know what Devan Dubnyk can do for the Wild; my only question is if it can withstand the magic of Patrick Kane. (Good Lord is Kane playing out of his mind for someone who probably wouldn’t be participating if they weren’t made of Adamantium or didn’t have Wolverine-healing powers.) Between Crawford and Darling, the Blackhawks have a good tandem that is prone to fits of not-so-goodness. I’m still not totally sold on either being the best for the team, but my gut says one of them will make it work. Then they’ll leave it up to the scary good talent in front of them to beat Dubnyk.

Ryan Lambert, Puck Daddy Columnist

Washington in 7

Tampa in 7

I hate having to pick winners in these series. So little separates any of these teams (with one notable exception) that it could go any way at all. I think the Caps have the slight edge of a better offense and they have a damn good goaltender of their own at the back. Tampa is a much better team than Montreal, but they made Petr Mrazek look like Carey Price at times, which is a problem when you're gonna face the actual Carey Price.

Chicago in 7

Calgary in 4

Minnesota's run has been good and nice and convincing, but Chicago is Chicago for crying out loud. Finally, The Flames are the best team in the league and they work so hard so they're going to run to the Cup with ease.

Darryl “Dobber” Dobbs, Puck Daddy Fantasy Writer

Canadiens in 6

Rangers in 6

Wild in 7

Ducks in 5

The second round story will be all about goaltenders Devan Dubnyk and Carey Price. Chicago's experience and relentlessness will push the matter to the very last minute against the Wild, but in the end they won't find enough answers for Dubie. While they shuffle back and forth between Cory Crawford and Scott Darling, Minnesota has full confidence. And as much as I'd love to see the high-flying Lightning go further, Price showed that when Montreal's playoff life is being threatened, he'll slam the door shut. As for the other two teams, well - they're my Cup finalists. They'll just continue being awesome playoff teams. Hey, I ran the board in the first round (8-0) and I feel good about this round too.

Chuck and Pants, What’s Up Ya Sieve? (Puck Daddy’s Playoff Beard gurus)

Rangers in 7

Canadiens In 6

The Rangers will find the Caps a tough, consistent opponent with offense to boot and bodies to throw. Still, the NYR’s super-sturdy defense should withstand the Ovechkin-Backstrom combo and Henrik reached the boiling point just as R1 was winding down. Holtby’s got a heroic streak of his own (and that beard!) - but he’ll have to go all Delilah and snip Hagelin’s Samson-esque mane if the Caps hope to survive another round.

Actually writing the words “Montreal in 6” causing Chuck physical pain, but if we have to choose we have to go with the Habs for one reason:  Carey Price.  He’s been fire and Hart Trophy and Vezina Trophy finalist was clearly the best player for the Habs in the first round.  Bishop is no slouch either and Tampa Bay’s forward corps is outstanding, but if the Lightning hope to make it to the Eastern Conference Finals they need Steven Stamkos. Tampa Bay dominated the Habs in the regular season, but they got swept in 1st round last year. They’ll be looking for redemption.

Wild in 7

Ducks in 5

The Hawks were good enough in R1 to survive their goalies. But late (and we mean laaaaaate)-game stunners can only win so many games. Their flair for the dramatic notwithstanding, Chicago’s issues in net will prove too big to fend off Minnesota’s roster-wide production and Devin Dubnyk’s goaltending acrobatics.  The Wild might not put it on net a lot (lowest S/PG in R1), but if Crawford & Darling don’t firm up, they won’t really need to.

We’d love nothing more than another chapter in Calgary’s Cinderella story, but we think that this  pumpkin-turned-bandwagon is about to break down. Anaheim did everything right in R1 - sweep the series, yet win every game on a comeback.  Flames are a relentless and tenacious team, so some OT games are not out of the question.  But the Ducks’ playoff experience, confidence and a long restful wait will carry them to the WCF.

Sam McCaig, Yahoo Sports NHL Editor

Rangers in 5

Habs in 6

The Rangers got close to the Stanley Cup last season and they're a better team this time around. Washington isn't a pushover but New York was built for the playoffs, a tough defensive team with a great goalie -- plus they have game-breakers up front, too. If Alex Ovechkin can score a goal a game maybe the Caps surprise ... but don't bet on it. In the other series, Montreal's Carey Price advantage is too much to overcome for almost any opponent...well, we'll see what the Rangers have to say about that in the Eastern Conference final, but that's a bloggy prediction for another day.

Wild in 7

Ducks in 5

We're going with Minnesota over Chicago. The Wild have the star power and depth grunts to beat the Blackhawks, not to mention Devan Dubnyk's goaltending. Calgary's had a great season and impressed with the way they dispatched of the Canucks, but Anaheim's top line is a beast and the Ducks can keep up with the Flames' speed and then some.

Nick Cotsonika, Yahoo Sports NHL Columnist

Rangers in 7

Lightning in 6

The Rangers were my Cup pick. I'm sticking with them. The Capitals still have to prove they have what it takes to go deep. The Lightning isn't the same team that was swept by the Habs last year. Much better. Much deeper. And Steven Stamkos is due.

Blackhawks in 7

Ducks in 5

The most interesting series is Wild-Blackhawks. The Wild is hot; the 'Hawks look vulnerable. But the 'Hawks get the benefit of the doubt for now. The Ducks have depth and finally stability in goal. The Flames can't keep this up forever. One caveat: The Ducks struggle with speed. Johnny Hockey has speed.