By Lance McCaskey
Staff Writer

As the first round of these NHL playoffs came to a close, my picks hit a striking seven for eight. I can proudly say I made an attempt to watch every game, and I enjoyed every second of it. While I was hoping for a sweep of both the Penguins due to my friend Carlos Scott, and the Canucks because they are from Canada, both met their ultimate demise, and will enjoy some golf in the months to come. We look ahead to a very intriguing second round now, featuring close match ups, and some chances for some great upsets. Let’s get crakin’.

Western Conference

#2 St. Louis Blues vs. #8 Los Angeles Kings

Both teams had, shall we say, more than favorable match ups in the first round. Both feature a similar style of play, the physical and hard grinding that results in low scoring, but exciting games. This is a though pick for me. Both teams are so evenly matched. Despite their eighth seed, the Kings have a legitimate shot at the cup, and so do the second seeded Blues. The Blues have home ice advantage in this series, and their fans will inspire them, and push them through the theoretical brick wall that is the Kings.

Winner: Blues

#3 Phoenix Coyotes vs. #4 Nashville Predators

The Predators did the world a favor in the first round, ridding us of the Red Wing disease. I thank them for their deed, but they need to focus on what is a very skilled and promising Coyotes squad. The Predators have the size advantage, and will more than likely bring their physical style of play to the series. While Phoenix has the edge on the offensive spectrum, and the tilt on the scrappy scale, they won’t be able to get past what I feel is the best defense in the NHL. The combo of Shea Webber and Ryan Sutter will shut down the Coyotes, and the Preds will live to fight another day.

Winner: Predators

Eastern Conference

#1 New York Rangers vs. #7 Washington Capitals

I will not lie to and say I always knew the Caps had it in em’ to beat the defending cup champs. In fact, I thought quite the opposite. They proved me wrong. They proved to not just me, but the world that they are a new team, and are a championship contender once again. The Rangers, on the other hand, were a major disappointment. They were taken to game seven by a team that should not have even been near a rink this post season. The Caps have a spark, a fire, that the Rangers so desperately need to find. While I think it will take some time, the Caps’ heart and determination will push them over the top.

Winner: Capitals

#5 Philadelphia Flyers vs. #6 New Jersey Devils

The Devils were another Eastern disappointment. They were taken to seven by a very good, but very beatable Panthers team. They also lack the heart and determination needed to put together a successful run at Lord Stanley’s Cup. The Flyers showed quite the opposite. They showed boatloads of heart, determination, skill, speed, physicality, everything you look for in a Stanley Cup caliber team. The Flyers should have no problem taking care of the Devils in this series.

Winner: Flyers

And there you have it. The picks from the closest thing you will get to a NHL expert on the Sidekick staff. I hope you enjoyed the first round as much as I did, and I hope you will enjoy this second round with me. Once again, all that is left to do is to sit back, relax, and enjoy the show that is playoff hockey.