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PHT Predicts: Second round of Eastern Conference playoffs

Vincent Lecavalier, Alex Ovechkin

Tampa Bay Lightning’s Vincent Lecavalier, left, checks Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin, of Russia, during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, March 7, 2011, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)

AP

The second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs kicks off tomorrow night with the top seeded Capitals looking to make the Eastern final for the first time since 1998. Tampa Bay is hoping to make their first return to the East final since 2004. The Capitals have been off since Saturday so they’ll be well rested. Will there be rust or will they play the role of the machine that never breaks? The Caps are hoping for the latter.

Boston and Philadelphia get to renew hostilities after last year’s incredible second round match-up that saw the Flyers comeback from being down 3-0 in the series to win in seven games. That series win helped them get motivated to make it all the way to the Stanley Cup final. The Bruins are hoping to enact revenge for that colossal failure and keep their Cup hopes alive.

How do we see things shaking out? Well...

1. Washington Capitals vs. 5. Tampa Bay Lightning

James says:

The Capitals won the season series (4-1-1), but Dwayne Roloson played extremely well (two shutouts in four games) against Washington once he arrived in Tampa Bay. The star power on both sides is downright dazzling, with Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Mike Green and Nicklas Backstrom squaring off against Martin St. Louis, Steven Stamkos, Vincent Lecavalier and Simon Gagne. I cannot help but feel like the Bolts are a work in progress, though.

Both teams showed me something in their first round series, but the Capitals have the Scent of Destiny.

Pick: Washington in five.

Joe says:

It’d be wrong to jump off the Caps wagon considering we picked them to go to the Stanley Cup final, but the fact is they really impressed me with how they handled the Rangers in the first round. What Tampa Bay did to Pittsburgh was impressive on its own right and I wonder if they’ll be able to keep their offensive stars rolling against the Caps’ defense. I’m suspecting no, they won’t.

Pick: Capitals in six

Disagree with us on our take and think the Lightning are going to surprise the Caps? Let us know in our poll.

[polldaddy poll=4982928]

2. Philadelphia Flyers vs. 3. Boston Bruins

James says:

Did the Bruins really shake that big-game monkey off their backs in that Game 7 win against the Canadiens? They showed impressive resolve in winning in overtime, but shot themselves in the foot repeatedly while blowing 2-0 and 3-2 leads in their own barn. On the other end, the Flyers overcame a 3-1 first period deficit to win Game 6 and then absolutely crushed the Sabres in Game 7. Tim Thomas is a tempting trump card, but Philadelphia is radiating confidence and boast enviable offensive depth. The improving health of Chris Pronger even makes Brian Boucher less of a worry than many would expect. It’s still an awfully interesting series, but I’ll opt for the Flyers’ showy swagger over the Bruins’ slumped shoulders.

Pick: Philadelphia in six.

Joe says:

These teams are eerily similar. They’re both tough, they’re both physical, they both have hulking defensemen, they both have pests that can score big goals. One area where they are different is in goal. Tim Thomas is all world while the three-headed monster the Flyers roll with is virtually interchangeable. How the Flyers defense plays is far more important to their success. With a healthy Pronger out there leading the way and the Bruins offense being as iffy as it has been all year, this series is destined to run long. The Flyers “fixed” their power play in the final game thanks to Ryan Miller going soft. The Bruins are resilient as anything but I’ve changed my mind on them thanks to how bad their power play is.

Pick: Philadelphia in seven

Think James and I are off our rockers and think Boston rolls on to the East final? Vote in the poll and set us straight.

[polldaddy poll=4983087]