I couldn't have been more bitter heading into the second round of the NHL playoffs. For one, the Sabres won their division and were eliminated in six games to a team within that same division. Two, I'm not sure I could dislike the four remaining teams in the Eastern Conference any more than I disliked these four teams. Pittsburgh, Boston, Montreal, and Philadelphia? Yuck.

Worst part about the above paragraph is that I found myself actually cheering for Montreal and Philadelphia. I feel dirty typing that. In fact, excuse me while I go shower for the second time today.

With all that being said, I think I can finally enjoy the NHL playoffs for the third and fourth rounds. Considering that Buffalo has been long since eliminated, having Boston and Pittsburgh go down in their own epic fashion was the best case scenario for me. Regardless of what some people say, Boston's choke job was one of the biggest in sports history. To avoid the argument, I'd say that it's at least in the top three all-time. Nice job Tuuuuuuuuka.

Why did Pittsburgh lose in the second round? Well, I can think of two major reasons.

One, Sidney Crosby either failed to show up or Montreal just provided a blueprint to the rest of the NHL on how to beat the Penguins. In seven games against Montreal, Crosby tallied an impressive five points and plus/minus of -1. I'm having a hard time thinking that Crosby failed to show up for seven games because the best players in the game just don't do that. So Montreal must have effectively shut him down and provided a blueprint to the rest of the NHL. For that, I'm very grateful. Thank you Montreal.

(Just a little side note: In seven games against Montreal, Alex Ovechkin finished 10 points and a plus/minus of +5.)

My second reason would be that Marc-Andre Fleury is an average goaltender. So much so that I officially gave him the nickname 'Marc-Average Fleury' after his game four performance on Twitter. I would absolutely be willing to have a debate with anybody that thinks otherwise. He isn't an elite goaltender and never has been. In reality he's average, gets on a hot streak once a while, and has a few good games here and there. For the 2009-10 playoffs Fleury finished with a 2.78 GAA and .891 save percentage. That was about on par with his 2.65 and .905 that he earned during the regular season. In the two clinching games for Pittsburgh against Montreal, he allowed four goals in both and brought home a .840 and .692 save percentage.

Last season when Pittsburgh won the Cup, Fleury finished the playoffs with a 2.61 GAA and .908 save percentage. Hardly elite. Sounds like a goalie that is good 2/3 of the time and is protected by a great team around him. To his credit, his numbers during the 2007-08 numbers were pretty good. To his discredit, that is one season in five.

Put it this way; if Pittsburgh had an elite goalie (or if Buffalo had forwards as talented as Pittsburgh), that's three straight Stanley Cups (including this year) and an official dynasty.

Now that I'm done with my rant, let's get back to the picks. I almost took a 20 point lead and basically sealed the deal for the first time in three years against Scott, but Philly's comeback win gave Scott an extra 10 points and made things close again. Here is the tally so far.

Devin: 45

Scott: 35


 
EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

Philadelphia Flyers (7) vs Montreal Canadiens (8)

I never thought I'd see a 7/8 matchup in the Conference Finals. It's almost too much for me to wrap my brain around. One thing is for sure, it goes to show you that anything can happen once you're team makes the playoffs. Remember this next season when the Sabres squeak into the playoffs and I'm pressing the panic button in alarming fashion.

The obvious advantage in this series would have to go to Montreal just because of the more established goaltending. That being said, Jaroslav Halak has been pulled at least once in each series and hasn't been consistent for the entire season. He's been hot during the playoffs for sure, but he still has the ability to roll over and play dead at times. Trust me, I've seen my fair share of Candiens games before these playoffs started.

The biggest disadvantage for the Flyers is their goaltending, but that isn't saying much because Michael Leighton played very well in relief for the injured Brian Boucher. Leighton deserves an immense amount of credit for what he was able to accomplish so far. He hasn't played in months, comes into the middle of an elimination game, gets the shutout, and finishes off the series.

Philadelphia has a ton of good goal scorers but I'm having a hard time picking against Halak. Something tells me that I might regret this in a few weeks.

Devin's Pick: Montreal in 6

Scott's Pick: Montreal in 7


 
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

San Jose Sharks (1) vs Chicago Blackhawks (2)

Welcome to the Western Conference; where things actually make sense. I'm not saying I don't mind an upset or two, but at least out West things seem to shake out accordingly, unlike the Eastern bracket. I'm not going sit here and write a ton about this series with me already admitting that I haven't watched a ton of the second round. That would be me just pretending like I know each team in and out and writing gibberish, meanwhile insulting the fans of both teams. I'll spare us both and just make my pick. Of course that's after I give a few thoughts.

For me, it comes down to goaltending Chicago still doesn't have me fully convinced, while San Jose does for the most part. There is a little piece of me rooting for San Jose just because they have been so good in the past and never came through in the playoffs. I feel like the fans deserve to finally see a winner. I think other Sabres fans would understand this viewpoint. But then there is Chicago, another semi-likeable team in my eyes. Have I mentioned recently that Patrick Kane is from Buffalo? Basically this series is a win-win for me because I'm good either way as long as the Western Conference team takes the Cup. That being said, someone from the East will definitely win it now.

Devin's Pick: San Jose in 7

Scott's Pick: Chicago in 6