Colorado Avalanche Fan’s NHL Playoffs 2nd Round Predictions

The Colorado Avalanche are long out of the playoffs, but Avs fans are still watching.

The Colorado Avalanche are gearing up for the 2017 NHL Draft Lottery on April 29. You know they’re making sacrifices to the hockey gods to win the first-overall, since that gives them the best options.

Meanwhile, in hockey rinks all over North America, teams are gearing up for the second round of the 2017 NHL Playoffs.

Well, my bracket is in a shambles:

That’s right. I had the Chicago Blackhawks making it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals. Even though it exploded my bracket, I’m glad they got swept in the first round. Needless to say, I’m delighted the Minnesota Wild also failed to meet my expectations to reaching the second round.

Well, the match ups for the second round are set. Even though my bracket is blown to bits, let’s see how I do at guessing the second round with the given information.

New York Rangers vs Ottawa Senators

I didn’t have either of these teams advancing in my bracket. I’ve always had a soft spot for the Senators, though — ever since the great Alexei Kovalev was part of the Sens Army. (That was a forward with some soft hands.)

In fact, this may be one of the strongest Senators teams since that time period. That said, their top two defensemen are playing with significant injuries. Erik Karlsson has admitted to taking shots in his foot to combat the pain of two hairline fractures. And Marc Methot is still recovering from having part of his finger severed by Sidney Crosby.

If it comes down to goal tending, you can never go wrong betting on Henrik Lunqvist. The Rangers also have four good lines they can roll out — no one great line, though.

This may be a close match up. However, the Senators seem to have more pieces aligned.

My prediction: Ottawa Senators in 6 games.

Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins

The Caps vs Pens rivalry is beginning to look like the Colorado Avalanche-Detroit Red Wings rivalry of the 1990s. It’s not as bloody, but Caps vs Pens is definitely a clash of the titans. It’s a pretty good bet that whomever wins this series is going to represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Finals.

It’s a pity this monumental match up is happening already in the second round, though that’s when it occurred last season as well. And we already know that last year the Penguins went on to win the Stanley Cup.

I’m going to go with my heart here and pick the Washington Capitals. While the Penguins know how to win at the highest levels, the Caps have got to be the hungrier team.

I also doubt this will be the Alex Ovechkin vs Sidney Crosby clash everyone’s always expecting. Rather, I think we’re going to see the impact of the Pens’ significant injuries — specifically to Kris Letang. Forwards Carl Hagelin and Chris Kunitz are have also been out with injuries. The Caps are relatively healthy.

My prediction: Washington Capitals in 7

St. Louis Blues vs Nashville Predators

Ding dong the Minnesota Wild are dead.

I thought the St. Louis Blues would choke again and fall to Minnesota. That said, they may still choke.

I also never expected the Nashville Predators to twice shut out the Chicago Blackhawks and go on to sweep them! That’s just craziness!

Actually, that’s what you can do when you have a hot goalie. That’s what the Colorado Avalanche did in 1996 to bring the first-ever professional sports championship to Colorado.

And that’s what the Nashville Predators may end up doing. They have some pretty good firepower in young forwards and a lethal offensive defense that includes Roman Josi and, yeah, PK Subban. And they have a goalie that not even some of the top talent in the NHL could score goals on.

Plus, the Blues historically choke in the second round.

My prediction: Nashville Predators in 5 games.

Anaheim Ducks vs Edmonton Oilers

Can we just call this the Battle of the Orange, since the color is a foundation of both teams?

Also, what? The Edmonton Oilers advanced past the San Jose Sharks? Is Connor McDavid really that good?

Yes, Connor McDavid is really that good. If nothing else, he’s really that good at inspiring his teammates — you feel like you can do anything with a generational talent on your roster.

Just like with the Sharks, the Oilers-Ducks match up seems to come down to experience vs. youth. Edmonton is a bit of a fairy tale, and one we Colorado Avalanche fans hope can be replicated here.

But… the Anaheim Ducks have developed such a complete package. The veteran team has been infused with youth — especially in defense. They have a solid goalie with some heavy hitters in front of him. And if Ryan Getzlaff and Corey Perry can reclaim some of their former magic…

My prediction: Anaheim Ducks in 6 games.

Next: Avs Must Design New Power Play

Well, Colorado Avalanche fans, do you have a horse in the race? Are there any teams that you’re especially rooting for — or against?