First, how did our first-round Stanley Cup playoff predictions go? Well … we got the winners of every Western Conference series correct, even nailing the game numbers for the Dallas and Edmonton victories. In the Eastern Conference, we missed badly on the Florida in-state series, while getting the All-Canada series correct down to the number of games. We also nailed the Carolina and Washington wins, perfectly.

So, we were seven of eight in series winners, and we got five of eight series correct in the number of games. That’s about as good as we can do, perhaps, so no complaints here. Now, of course, it gets a lot tougher, into the conference semifinals (or Round Two, as it were). We have no expectations of being able to top our first-round magic guesswork; thus, we make no promises here at all. Have fun watching the games, either way!

Vegas vs. Edmonton: The Golden Knights should win, as they have home ice and the sabermetric advantage. They also posted 10 more regulation wins than the Oilers did, and they had a larger scoring differential than Edmonton as well. But … the Los Angeles Kings held the same edges in the first round over the Oilers, and look what happened. This is a tough one, and we don’t like it. Vegas in seven games.

Dallas vs. Winnipeg: Both teams went the distance in the first round, so they’re both going to be tired. Lord Stanley weeps not! The Jets hurt themselves by not dispatching St. Louis sooner, and that may hurt them here against the Stars, who always play tough postseason hockey these days. Winnipeg has the edges we like to cite, but even if the Jets are awake now, Dallas is no easy out. Winnipeg in seven games.

Florida vs. Toronto: Tampa Bay was the top sabermetric team in the Eastern Conference, and Florida sent them packing with relative ease. The Maple Leafs have the edges noted above, yet the Panthers are the defending champions who clearly won’t go down lightly. Maybe Toronto should have dropped Ottawa more quickly, but at least it didn’t need seven games. That extra energy saved matters. Toronto in seven games.

Washington vs. Carolina: The Capitals own the edges here, although the Hurricanes only notched one fewer regulation win. Both teams are rested here coming into this matchup, which means we should get the best hockey of the quarterfinals in this series. Carolina actually is just as good on defense as Washington, and it played a tougher schedule this season. But we won’t pick against the Caps yet. Washington in seven.

Editor’s Note: Yes, it’s a bit of a copout to pick all series to go seven games, although we really see these series as being super close. Plus, it’s hockey, and there’s nothing better in all professional sports than a Game 7 on ice. So, why not wish for four of them?!