Bracket #3 – Lucky Lines

Justin Abdelkader – (4 votes)

Tyler Bozak – (7 votes) – ADVANCES TO QUARTERFINALS

David Desharnais – (4 votes)

Kyle Okposo – (1 vote)

Nick Foligno – (1 vote)

Patric Hornqvist – (32 votes) – ADVANCES TO QUARTERFINALS

Andrew Shaw – (1 vote)

Radim Vrbata – (2 votes)

First off, let me again apologize for my blunder of listing nine players in this bracket, as I'd intended to make Andrew Shaw the final cut and to keep Jaden Schwartz. Of course Shaw then proceeds to tie for last place in votes! I can take some solace in the likelihood that Schwartz wouldn't have challenged for one of the two semi-final spots; but again – sorry about the confusion and oversight.

Here the biggest surprise was Hornqvist's margin of victory, as he received over 60% of all votes cast in the bracket. To me, what likely prompted folks to vote for him in droves (over guys like Bozak, who was my pick, or Vrbata), is not only did he land in the offensive mecca of Pittsburgh, but he came there from the formerly anemic Predators. But keep in mind that Nashville is no longer an offensive doormat; and the question will always be how well Hornqvist would've done on the "new Nashville".

Other surprises were Abdelkader and Desharnais only getting four votes, and Foligno just one. But for each, it was likely a case of being overshadowed by Hornqvist. And while I thought Okposo wouldn't finish as far behind as he did, what likely helped his votes stay low is the fact that he's holding his own in points with Tavares this season, thus making a case for the argument that both of them are helping each other rather than it just being a one way street of Tavares benefitting Okposo.

Oh, and those of you ready to anoint Hornqvist the winner of the entire tournament, keep in mind that the last time I did a tournament the player who had the widest margin of victory in round one (Kris Letang) ended up not even making it to the finals. And that was despite Letang nabbing 48 of the 97 votes (just under 50%) cast in his bracket in round one. Sound familiar? That means anything can still happen, which in turn is part of the reason why these tournaments are so much fun!

Even still Bozak will have his work cut out for him to unseat Hornqvist; but we'll have to watch to see if an upset is brewing.

Vote HERE for Patric Hornqvist or Tyler Bozak.

Bracket #4 – Miscellaneous

Johnny Boychuk – (13 votes) – ADVANCES TO QUARTERFINALS

T.J. Brodie – (10 votes)

Brent Burns – (3 votes)

Michael Del Zotto – (10 votes)

Aaron Ekblad – (1 vote)

Jason Garrison – (2 votes)

Ryan Johansen – (1 vote)

Tyler Johnson – (11 votes) – ADVANCES TO QUARTERFINALS

This bracket was a lot of fun to watch, as it was the only one to have four players finishing with double digits in votes. Since the voting was so close, there weren't any big surprises, although I did think that Garrison and Burns each would've finished with more votes. But I suppose that Garrison already was established, so Hedman's injury didn't represent as wide of an opening as Stamkos' did for Johnson, since it's quite possible that Johnson – like other undersized and/or undrafted players – might've never had his big break. And with Burns, the fact that he'd played defense in the past likely made his return to the position less eye opening.

In the end it's Boychuk against Johnson in the quarterfinals, where the only question might end up being whether Boychuk's current IR status will cost him votes and, with that, a ticket to the next round.

Vote HERE for Johnny Boychuk or Tyler Johnson.

Voting Deadline

Voting for this round will be open until Sunday December 14th, so be sure to make your pick in each bracket or else your voice won't be heard!

Any Oversights?

I was very pleased to hear in the forums that folks thought player selection was good and there were many tough choices to make. But of course I'm curious if any of you think I missed other players who were more deserving than the 32 I selected for inclusion (besides the likes of Brodeur and Bryzgalov, who didn't yet have reason to be truly thankful when voting opened for round one). Let me know in the comments below.