Tank's Second Round Stanley Cup Playoff Preview

Eastern Conference

• M1. Washington Capitals vs. M2. Carolina Hurricanes
• Capitals in Seven

To no one's surprise, the top two teams in the Metropolitan Division are meeting in the second round. The Capitals went into the playoffs as the top team in the East and had a relatively easy five-game series against the Canadiens. The Hurricanes also needed just five games to beat a hobbled Devils team. However, there had to be concerns for the Hurricanes, as two games went into double overtime, with Goalie Frederick Anderson missing much of the last game, after an injury in Game 4. Carolina will need Andersen at his best to beat the high-scoring Capitals. With his record-breaking goal, Alex Ovechkin has looked like a man on a mission all season as the Capitals exceeded all expectations. Look for Washington to win this series in seven. 

• A1. Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3. Florida Panthers
• Panthers in Six

After a sluggish second half, the Florida Panthers showed they were ready for a deep playoff run as they ran their rivals from Tampa off the ice in five games. The Maple Leafs won the division and got off to a fast start, winning the first three games against Ottawa, but nearly found themselves in a Game 7 after needing a late goal by Max Pacioretty to win the series in six. The Panthers have been down this path, seeking their third straight Eastern Conference Championship. They won the Stanley Cup last season and appear to be playing their best hockey at the right time, with six players getting at least five points in their first-round series. The depth and attack of the Panthers will be too much for Toronto to handle, as the Panthers win the series in six games.

Western Conference

• C1. Winnipeg Jets vs. C2. Dallas Stars
• Stars in Six

Both of these teams need comeback wins in Game 7 to advance, as the Stars rallied from 2-0 with Mikko Rantanen posting a hat trick and four points in the final 12 minutes to beat his former teammates in Colorado. The Jets, meanwhile, needed a miracle, scoring two goals in the final two minutes of regulation, with Cole Perfetti scoring with three seconds left before elimination. The Jets limped on to the second round, as Mark Schefle missed Game 7, while Josh Morrisey suffered an injury. The Jets will need to get healthy fast, as the Stars are finding their groove at the right time. Connor Hellebuyck struggled against the Blues and must play better, as Jake Oettinger and the Stars are hard to score against. Look for the Stars to get back to the Western Conference Finals in six games

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• P1. Vegas Golden Knights vs. P3. Edmonton Oilers
• Oilers in Six

Things looked bleak for the Edmonton Oilers, who trailed Game 3 entering the third period after losing the first two games in Los Angeles. The Oilers rallied to win the game in overtime and have not looked back. The Oilers went on to win four straight with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl each lighting up the scoresheet. McDavid had 11 points, while Draisaitl had 10, and they looked primed for another run to the Stanley Cup Final. Vegas needed six games to beat the Wild and looked shaky. With the way the Oilers are playing, look for them to carry the momentum and advance to the Western Conference Finals in six games.