The Dobber writers weigh in on the second round of the playoffs.

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The scheduling from the NHL meant that the second round began before the first round, something I can never remember happening. We had to wait a day to post these just to find out which teams were actually in the second round, so there's a one-game headstart on the Islanders-Lightning series. We have to play the hand we're dealt. 

For the writers that were available for both the first and second rounds, only Dobber and Robinson managed to go something other than 4-4 in the first round (Dobber was 7-1, so kudos to him). The consensus from the first round went 6-2, which is about as good as could be hoped for. I think a lot of people got the Islanders/Panthers series wrong, and then Pacific side of the West bracket probably destroyed a lot of predictions. 

Here is the experts panel on the second round. 

Eastern Conference

Consensus (6-2): WSH in 7, TBL in 6

Western Conference

Consensus: SJS in 6, STL in 6

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Some commentary from a few of the writers:

Gooding:

Islanders in 7 – I'm taking that head start!

Capitals in 7 – Will be a series for the ages, much like St. Louis/Chicago in the first round. 

Blues in 6 – Blues' scoring depth too much for the leaky Stars goaltending. 

Sharks in 6 – Sets up a collision course with the blues for the Something's Gotta Give series. 

Clifford:

Despite the Lightning losing Game 1, I still think they're the better team. This series might go a game longer than it otherwise would have, but one game won't deter my thought process. 

Honestly, flip a coin in that Washington/Pittsburgh series. It seems like both teams are healthy (save Fleury, but Murray has been more than capable as his replacement), and they're the two best teams in the East. As a hockey fan, I'm just glad we get to see these two teams play each other. 

If Dallas had a healthy Tyler Seguin, I would feel different about this series. The Stars' only chance of winning this series is out-gunning the Blues, and without their top centre, I can't see that happening. 

San Jose looked like absolute monsters in the first round. If they play that same way every game in the second round, this could be a lot quicker than six games. 

Roos: 

Why do I have only one series going as far as six games this round?  I think this is where the Sharks, Penguins, and Blues (who I had picked in my final four) really flex their muscle, and prove they're the cream of this year's crop.  The Caps showed their vulnerability in round one and are really hurt by Kuznetsov seemingly having hit a wall, while the Pens are tremendously helped by being able to deploy Crosby, Malkin and Kessel on three separate ES lines if they choose, and then to bring them together on the PP.  Meanwhile, the Isles will continue their momentum over a Lightning team that would've been a legitimate contender if at full strength. 

Dobber:

The Islanders have been playing their game all season long to better fit the postseason. Clamping down defensively (making Tavares a measly 70-point guy?) and playing with more grit. They weren't going to be eliminated early this time. And the fact that they have an "easier" run of things for two rounds (i.e. they don't play the top team Washington or the hottest team Pittsburgh) will see to it that they get to the final four. John Tavares is shades of Toews and Yzerman this year – nothing seems to stop him from winning. Of the eight teams remaining, Tavares is the player most hell-bent on getting it done.

The Caps-Pens series is the toughest one to call. It's this round's version of Chicago-St. Louis. The irresistible force versus the immovable object. The hottest team in the league versus the best team in the league. The only – and I mean only – reason I pick Washington here is because I picked them to win the Cup. I'll just stand pat with that pick and pretend I knew it all along if it works out.

San Jose is another team built for the playoffs. The road record says it all. And if Tavares is hell-bent on winning, Big Joe Thornton is a close second. 

The Blues have faced disappointment year after year and frankly they're scared shitless of getting eliminated early again. You saw that in the Chicago series – the desperation. This Dallas team hasn't had those lessons yet. Try being a true contender for three or four years and face disappointment again and again. Get a taste of that, and then other teams will have a hard time beating you.

We had a few late entries come in as well, so here is some more picks from the Dobber staff:

Collins: NYI in 5, WSH in 6, STL in 7, SJS in 5

Corretij: TBL in 7, WSH in 7, STL in 6, SJS in 5

Daoust: NYI in 6, PIT in 7, STL in 5, SJS in 5

De Costa: TBL in 7, PIT in 7, STL in 5, SJS in 6

Fragopoulos: NYI in 6, WSH in 6, DAL in 5, SJS in 5

A note from Fragopoulos: Warning to our readers… My Stanley Cup finalists have survived the first round like they have in past seasons. However, they tend to be knocked out in the second round. I am still going with them :)

LeBlanc: NYI in 6, WSH in 7, STL in 6, SJS in 6

Pudsey: TBL in 7, WSH in 6, STL in 6, NSH in 7

Wassel: NYI in 6, PIT in 7, STL in 6, SJS in 6

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