Friday (Unassisted) Round 2

First Round MVP: Claude Giroux
In his press conference following the Flyers series clinching win over the Penguins last Sunday, Claude Giroux sipped a gatorade, appropriately marked "G", wore a backwards Winter Classic hat, and answered every question cooly and composed. His coolness in front of the mic demonstrated his leadership as much as his first shift of the game. The night before game six, Giroux went up to Coach Peter Laviolette and said, "I want that first shift;" in pregame warmups he instructed veteran center Danny Briere "to watch the first shift." Ten seconds after puck drop, Giroux laid out Pens' star Sidney Crosby with a clean, hard hit. Twenty seconds after that, he converted a turnover into a dazzling goal; rounding a beaten Steve Sullivan before unleashing a wrist shot off of Marc-Andre Fleury's right post and into the back of the net. Giroux later added an assist to help finish off the Penguins in a 5-1 clinching performance. For many players, his game six would rank as a career achievement. For Giroux, it was his third best game in a series in which he had a six point game including a hattrick, a Gordie Howe hattrick, a shorthanded goal, two power play goals, and fourteen points overall. He averaged over twenty minutes of ice time and won just over fifty percent of his draws. In his wake Giroux left behind a star studded Penguins team that boasted the world's two best players in Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. It was a tour de force that vaulted Giroux into that world's best discussion. At 24, he's quickly evolving from budding phenom into bonafide superstar.
         Remember last summer when Paul Holmgren traded away the cornerstones of the Flyers future? He looks more brilliant every game. While both Mike Richards and Jeff Carter helped inspire the LA Kings to a first round upset of their own, their departure opened the door for Giroux to take a more decisive role on the team. Moreover, the returns on the trades contributed immensely to the Flyers success. Sean Couturier not only had a hattrick in game 2, but he also matched up with Malkin superbly, limiting the Art Ross winner to one measly even strength point over the six games. Jake Voracek scored the OT winner in game one, Brayden Schenn contributed six points in the series including a three point effort in game one, and Wayne Simmonds reinforced his reputation as a battler. 
Talking Points
- Phoenix won its first playoff series since moving from Winnipeg some fifteen years ago
- Nashville advanced to the second round for the second time in franchise history. They look like the best team in the West
- After struggling through a tumultuous season, the Washington Capitals defeated the defending champion Bruins in seven exhilarating games. Props to Joel Ward for scoring the series winner
- LA beat the President's trophy winners and defending Western Conference Champion Canucks in an upset that came out of nowhere
- Can the NHL please enforce punishments consistently? I give them credit for the Raffi Torres suspension, but how does Shea Webber not miss anytime for a non-hockey play? Where do you draw the line? It looks quite crooked at this point
- In keeping with the negative, Sidney Crosby's reputation took an irrevocable hit during his team's short stay in the post season. He instigated two brawls in game 3, swiped away Jake Voracek's glove as he reached down to pick it up, and did nothing but whine in the postgame interview. "I don't like anyone on that team," he said of the Flyers; isn't his best friend Max Talbot on 'that team'? Hmmmm. For someone with such a well-documented history of concussions Crosby puts himself in too many positions to receive abuse, especially in playoff hockey.

Series previews
New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals

Both teams endured hard fought seven game series against game opponents. The teams split the regular season series, and I see a similar outcome here. The Rangers ran away with the Eastern Conference only to take an ego hit at the hands of the eighth seeded Senators. The Blue Shirts struggled to score, a task that will prove to be  more difficult when they take on the suddenly defensively conscious Capitals. Washington on the other hand bolstered their confidence by taking out the defending champs with their third string goaltender in net. They'll push the Rangers, but will not roll over the top seeded New York club. Look for Brad Richards to take over a tight checking series. It's what they paid him to do. Rangers in 6

Philadelphia Flyers vs. New Jersey Devils
Coming off an impressive six game victory over their cross-state rivals, the Flyers assume the role of cup favorite. On the flip side, the Devils struggled to put away a borderline playoff team in the Panthers, needing two overtimes in game seven to advance. However, this is a rivalry series. As we saw in the first round, anything could happen. With that being said, the Flyers can score in bunches and Marty Brodeur showed his age more often than not against the Cats. Philly also has home ice advantage. Flyers in 5

St. Louis Blues vs. Los Angeles Kings
Remember when we asked how good the Blues really are? I think they answered that question with a resounding "yes," David Backes the voice behind the call. Now, these weren't the Sharks of old, but the Blues faced little adversity in dismissing the teal shirts in a rather ordinary five games. They're deep up front and on the back line, and as we said, boast two of the best goalies going. The Kings exposed the Canucks as a flawed contender. They play a solid, gritty style that wins in the playoffs. This Blues team, though, looks too good at the moment. Blues in 5

Phoenix Coyotes vs. Nashville Predators
Gary Bettman's matchup. He is almost solely responsible for putting the NHL in both the desert and in Dixie. Now he faces a second round matchup that will surely draw the lowest ratings of the playoffs. Furthermore, he faces the prospect of one of these teams playing in the Stanley Cup finals. If the Coyotes advance the next two rounds, would he also put his name on the Cup? The NHL owns the franchise as of this writing. Something to think about. Also to think about, Nashville looks good. I mean really good. They dominated the once might Red Wings in five games and ease into the second round with the league's hottest goaltender, Pekka Rinne, and two of the league's best d-men in Ryan Suter and Shea Weber. Alexander Radulov has been as good as advertised since returning from exile, adding scoring depth to a team that so desperately craved a scorer's touch. Mike Smith turned in an equally impressive performance as Rinne, stonewalling the Coyotes to a six game victory over the favored Blackhawks. Still, I'm not sure Phoenix's offense can break through the stalwart defensive front of the Preds. Predators in 4

Let's get it in
-Dill