The first round of the playoffs did not go as expected. The leading contenders from the west, the Kings, the Ducks, and the Hawks, all got ousted. As a result, all our predictions look even stupider than they normally would. Yey. Fun. Let’s do it again.

Yo. Keith, a Coin, is a piece of legal tender that can be exchanged for goods and services. He predicts things and he is right about half the time. Like SAP, but somewhat cheaper.

Dallas Stars vs St Louis Blues

Peter: I am choosing sentimentally, favoring a team whose style I like over one who I think might have more arrows in the quill. Run and gun forever. Stars in 6.

Ian: The Brouwer Pouwer has returned after 24 games. And once that pouwer comes on, our former hero becomes like The Rock: the most electrifying man in sports entertainment. Blues in 7. They beat the Blackhawks. Why not?

Keith: Stars.

San Jose Sharks vs Nashville Predators

Peter: I don’t like the Predators, aside from maybe Forsberg, and it’s possible that he’s a total jerk, like one of those people you go on a date with and they’re rude to the waiter or waitress and you’re like, ugh, we’re totally not getting gelato after this. Anyway, it doesn’t matter who wins this series because I’m picking the winner of the other one in the conference finals. Sharks in 5.

Ian:  Filip Forsberg and the Capitals are eight wins away from Oh God, I don’t want to think about it. Predators in 7.

Keith: Predators.

New York Islanders vs Tampa Bay Lightning

(This is cheating since game one was last night.)

Peter: Both of these teams have had weird seasons. Jack Capuano seems to have run his course in Brooklyn, and the (seeming) loss of Stamkos has put a hex on the Bolts. My guess is whoever makes it out will get whomped in the conference finals. Give me the Isles in 5.

Ian: I thought the Lightning were going to get shellacked in the first round. Instead they pretty much systematically destroyed the Red Wings without Stamkos. I’m on the Bolts bandwagon now. For this round at least. Tampa in 6.

Keith: Lightning.

Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins

Peter: Oh god. I think these are two evenly matched teams with lovely systems play. The Pens have definitely been superior during even strength, but the Caps have more dynamism in their roster and attack style. It’s gonna be hell, and it’s gonna come down to goaltending. Caps in 7.

Ian: I just have this strange feeling. This should be a rock ’em, sock ’em, knock ’em out seven-game series which pits the two best teams in the NHL against each other in a never-ending death match. Instead, I think the Caps are going to score at will against goaltender Matt Murray because of all their offensive firepower and Mitch Korn’s brilliant scouting report. The Pens will not be able to solve Holtby. They just won’t. Caps in 5. Me and the Potato Chip of Destiny are going on a journey.

Keith: Capitals. (Whoa, Keith. Trying to redeem yourself, eh? I’ll take it.)

Your turn: Share your picks below. [Winning team] in [number of games].