2023 NHL Playoffs: B/R NHL Employees’s 2nd-Spherical Predictions

Prepared or not, Spherical 2 of the NHL Playoffs is right here.

The primary spherical was stuffed with nail-biting moments, large upsets and a 19-year curse ending in dramatic fashions.

So let’s increase the stakes in Spherical 2.

Will the Panthers proceed their magic-carpet-ride run and upset the momentum-riding Maple Leafs? Is Connor McDavid on the verge of lifting his first Stanley Cup?

The B/R NHL Employees was known as collectively but once more to offer solutions to that and extra as we received their predictions for the second spherical of the 2023 NHL Playoffs.

Remember to share your ideas on each collection by offering your picks for the second within the feedback part of the B/R app.

The Devils seemed useless within the water towards the Rangers after dropping twice at dwelling and stumbling once more in Recreation 6. However there they had been within the decider, scoring well timed objectives and locking down on the defensive finish. It is the type of model they will see coming again at them within the Hurricanes, who completed second general to the since-exited Boston Bruins and allowed the second-fewest objectives within the league. Nonetheless, New Jersey was solely some extent behind Carolina within the standings and beat them twice within the season’s second half, outscoring them 8-3 within the course of. Rating one for youthful resilience and momentum.

Prediction: Devils in seven

– Lyle Fitzsimmons

As they did within the common season, the Hurricanes rode their sturdy defensive recreation and goaltending depth to victory within the opening spherical. In addition they have the benefit of postseason expertise, however they’re dealing with a younger, quick, skillful Devils workforce recent off eliminating the New York Rangers. Led by younger stars Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier, the assured Devils could possibly be primed to tug off a giant second-round upset.

Predictions: Devils in seven

– Lyle Richardson

These groups cut up their 4 regular-season matchups, and so they traded off video games during which they made the opposing goalie’s night time depressing. These two shine through superior stats, and so they shoot the puck always and persistently (Carolina was first in the NHL in shot makes an attempt, New Jersey third). The distinction between them, nevertheless, is the Hurricanes allowed the fewest shot makes an attempt, whereas the Devils had been fifteenth. New Jersey has tightened issues up within the playoffs, however the Rangers did not at all times deliver their finest towards them (see: Video games 5 and seven). This can be a completely completely different take a look at for goaltender Akira Schmid as a result of the Hurricanes do what the Devils do however with extra frequency.

Prediction: Hurricanes in six

– Joe Yerdon

The Panthers are driving the emotion of upsetting the league-leading Boston Bruins whereas the Maple Leafs lastly ended a 19-year playoff collection win drought. Each golf equipment are virtually evenly matched in offense and particular groups. This might go both approach, however the Leafs may garner further motivation by striving to win their first Stanley Cup since 1967.

Prediction: Maple Leafs in six

– Lyle Richardson

The query to be requested right here is: Who has the actual momentum? Is it Toronto for getting previous the primary spherical in practically twenty years or the Panthers who vanquished the Presidents’ Trophy winners in an ironic accident, given they received it final yr? Each groups have a resolve during which counting them out at any level in a recreation is a foul concept. My prediction is predicated on this query: Which workforce was capable of win extra video games during which they performed their worst hockey? The reply to that’s simple.

Prediction: Maple Leafs in seven

– Joe Yerdon

The Panthers have turn into among the finest tales in hockey after eliminating a traditionally good Boston workforce with a stirring comeback in Recreation 7. However they take a again seat to the Maple Leafs, who ended a 19-year playoff collection drought. And on condition that Toronto received three of 4 video games between the 2 this season, dropping solely an time beyond regulation determination in late March, it appears they will take a again seat on the ice, too. Instantly assured, the Maple Leafs flex their method to the ultimate 4.

Prediction: Maple Leafs in 5

– Lyle Fitzsimmons

Few observers anticipated the Kraken to upset the Colorado Avalanche. They received right here driving Philipp Grubauer’s clutch goaltending, a stifling penalty kill and spreading their scoring all through their lineup. Nevertheless, the Stars are a rising pressure with a deeper lineup than the Avalanche and a potent offense that would quickly get winger Joe Pavelski again within the lineup.

Prediction: Stars in 5

– Lyle Richardson

The Kraken are such a dogged workforce to take care of. Relentless forecheck, shooters galore, and might deal with even the quickest skaters within the league. Then again, the Stars have a bevy of men who can rating and supply some gnarly defensive matchups for the Kraken. In addition they have Jake Oettinger in purpose. Ah, sure, the basic prediction-decider.

Prediction: Stars in six

– Joe Yerdon

I did not purchase into the underdog mojo when it got here to the Panthers and Maple Leafs, however I am prepared to take heed to it a bit extra right here. As my realized colleagues identified, the Kraken are fairly merely a troublesome workforce to play towards. They beat the defending champions. And although they would not win a head-to-head roster comparability, it appears they’re fairly able to taking part in an unsightly collection towards a superior workforce and discovering a method to win it. It occurs once more.

Prediction: Kraken in six

– Lyle Fitzsimmons

The Golden Knights ought to profit from the additional days of relaxation to arrange for this spherical. They’re a greater workforce with two-way captain Mark Stone again within the lineup. Dealing with them is probably the most potent offense within the NHL, led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The Oilers may show to be an excessive amount of for the Golden Knights to comprise.

Prediction: Oilers in six.

– Lyle Richardson

After masking Jack Eichel’s profession from earlier than he was drafted till he was traded from Buffalo and watching and interviewing Connor McDavid since about the identical time, the largest leisure for me off the ice is seeing how a lot each guys detest speaking about one another. I really like how Vegas is taking part in, though Winnipeg did not present a lot resistance. The Oilers are an offensive menace and shrugged off the Kings’ bodily model of hockey. If Vegas’ PK struggles, nevertheless, they’re in huge bother. What’s that? That they had the second-worst PK of groups within the first spherical, and solely the Kings had been worse? I see…

Prediction: Oilers in six

– Joe Yerdon

Return and have a look at the numbers. The Oilers have merely been a unique workforce since buying Mattias Ekholm on the commerce deadline. His arrival allowed coach Jay Woodcroft to fit the remainder of his blue-line corps into probably the most acceptable pairings taking part in probably the most acceptable minutes. It is also made a budding star of teen Evan Bouchard, whose 10 factors towards Los Angeles had been the most for an Edmonton D-man since a Corridor of Famer named Coffey. Oh, and in case you’d forgotten, the Oilers have guys named McDavid and Draisaitl, too. They dealt with Vegas within the common season, and it will not change.

Prediction: Oilers in 5

– Lyle Fitzsimmons