USA TODAY US Edition

NHL second-round picks: Unanimous for Predators

One step closer to anointing a Stanley Cup champion. If the first round is any indication, we are in for a treat as the NHL playoffs continue. The first round set a record for overtime games (18), and now we get to see four more exciting matchups. The se

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(1) WASHINGTON CAPITALS VS. (2) PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Kevin Allen: Penguins in six. The Capitals had difficulty handling the Penguins’ speed and relentless­ness last year. That’s still going to be a problem. Jimmy Hascup: Capitals in seven. The Capitals will use the first-round series with the Toronto Maple Leafs as a wake-up call, especially with regards to handling team speed. Mike Brehm: Capitals in seven. The Capitals showed some moxie this postseason by winning three games in overtime. Pittsburgh’s Marc-Andre Fleury was stellar at home, less so on the road, and the Penguins lack home-ice advantage in this round. Jace Evans: Capitals in six. Every move the Capitals have made, from the offseason trade for Lars Eller to the tradedeadl­ine acquisitio­n of Kevin Shattenkir­k, has been done with this series in mind. Washington is the deeper, healthier team this time.

(2) OTTAWA SENATORS VS. (WC1) NEW YORK RANGERS

Allen: Rangers in six. Three reasons: Lundqvist, Lundqvist, Lundqvist. Plus, New York’s defensive coverage finally showed some promise last series.

Hascup: Rangers in six. The Rangers’ depth all around outpaces the Senators’, and New York won’t have to contend with a high-flying offense or strong possession team. Its overall skill will be too much to handle. Brehm: Rangers in six. Interestin­g that the teams’ top playoff scorers, Ottawa’s Derrick Brassard and New York’s Mika Zibanejad, were traded for each other.

Henrik Lundqvist has found his game again, and that will be the difference.

Evans: Senators in seven. With apologies to Lundqvist, Senators captain Erik Karlsson is the best player in the series, injured heel and all. The all-around defenseman’s ability will be the difference in what should be a low-scoring series thanks to Ottawa coach Guy Boucher’s defense-first system.

(1) ANAHEIM DUCKS VS. (2) EDMONTON OILERS

Allen: Ducks in seven. Aren’t you looking forward to seeing how Ryan Kesler and Ryan Getzlaf deal with the dynamic Connor McDavid? This could end up being the most entertaini­ng series.

Hascup: Oilers in seven. The Oilers showed they can win in multiple ways. But what’s notable is their ability to win in close games and to bounce back after a 7-0 loss in Game 4. Brehm: Ducks in six. Counting the playoffs, the Ducks have won 15 of their last 18 games. They’ll have their hands full with McDavid, who totaled six points in their last two meetings. But Kesler tends to rise to the occasion and will do his best to limit the damage. Evans: Ducks in six. The seemingly imminent return of defensemen Cam Fowler and Sami Vatanen to the Ducks’ balanced blue line will help against McDavid. While McDavid won’t be shut down completely, the veteran Ducks should have the edge against the Oilers’ other lines.

(3) ST. LOUIS BLUES VS. (WC2) NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Allen: Predators in seven. Both teams were impressive in the second half of the regular season and the first round of the playoffs. This series feels like a tossup, but the Predators’ defensive group might be the difference. Hascup: Predators in six. Nashville is rounding into form at the right time. Don’t like the Blues’ chances of holding on against another team that can tilt the ice and has a mobile defense that will push the pace. Brehm: Predators in six. Sweeping the Chicago Blackhawks will give the Predators major confidence to go with their strong depth. Count on this being a low-scoring series. Evans: Predators in six. There probably won’t be a lot of scoring with both goalies on top of their game. With similar forward depth, the difference will come from the Predators’ more dynamic defense.

 ?? KELVIN KUO, USA TODAY SPORTS ?? Sidney Crosby vs. Alex Ovechkin is a major story line of the Penguins-Capitals series, as it is every time the stars meet.
KELVIN KUO, USA TODAY SPORTS Sidney Crosby vs. Alex Ovechkin is a major story line of the Penguins-Capitals series, as it is every time the stars meet.

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