Since my Stars missed the playoffs...again...it's time to live vicariously through other hockey teams!. I am pulling for the Hawks out of the West, and the East...who cares? However I would like to see the Bruins reach the conference finals so the Stars' pick is upgraded to a first rounder. I would also like to see the Caps (love me some Ovechkin), Leafs, and Islanders make some noise. And any team in the West not from St. Louis and Chicago can DIAF.

I normally don't go with chalk, but the Hawks and Pens have been far and away the best two teams in hockey this season and I don't see anyone beating them before the SC Finals.

Prediction: Hawks over Pens in 6 games.

Exciting 1st night with two 2-1 games in OT. Johnathan Quick really crapped the bed for the Kings, while in the other game, back-up keeper Harding stood on his head to keep the Wild in the game. Should be a great month !

Go Penguins!

Ouch. Islanders and Leafs didn't pose much of a challenge tonight.

was a fan of ference from his brief time in pittsburgh, but this elbow is dirty...he should be sat down by shanahan.

http://nhl.si.com/2013/05/02/nhl-playoffs-busy-day-ahead-for-brendan-shanahan/?eref=sihp

Sharks stole that one

Hawks!

if you havent been watching the st louis/LA series, you need to start

That Abdelkader hit. Wow

Nabokov sucks.

What a third period between MTL and OTT! There seems to be some bad blood brewing. Game 4 should be wicked!

Fleury sucks

The Islanders are a fun team to watch. Obviously Nabokov isn't their goalie for the long term but once they get that position solidified, they should be good for quite a while...plus they are moving to the Barclays Center soon.

Man. The pens are so vulnerable.

Ottawa/Montreal about to go to OT!

Fleury does suck. Bad. That last goal was HORRID! They better put in Vokoun to right the ship.

Kings/Blues series is one of the best series I have seen in a while. Great physical play, goaltending and clutch scoring by both teams. Hockey at its best!

[This message has been edited by shiftyandquick (edited 5/8/2013 11:00p).]

Another great game from StL-LA last night. Damn entertaining hockey.

Both teams are playing playoff hockey and like the winner of that series to contend for the cup.

Hawks polished off the Wild who looked gassed in the final game. Wings forcing a game 7 with the ducks, so Hawks will either face them or the Sharks. Both teams playing great hockey, so looking forward to a great series.

Also, absolutely agree with everything being said about the Blues/Kings series and tonight's has been no different.

Go Kings Go!

Pens got lucky. Won the series but I think they got outplayed

Two game sevens on one night. Can't wait!

Wings

good for the wings and sens. love the cup playoffs.

CHI/DET should be a good series.

Game 7 OT. Best thing in sports.

Wanted the Leafs to win, but happy the Stars still have a chance for a first round pick. Too bad the Caps game is a laugher.

Round 2 Matchups

East:

(1) PIT vs (7) OTT
(4) BOS vs (6) NYR

West:

(1) CHI vs (7) DET
(5) LA vs (6) SJ

pitt in 7
bos in 5
chi in 6
la in 7

Pretty dominant game 1 from Pitt. Didn't see that coming

GO BOSTON!