With round one of the Stanley Cup playoffs completed, it’s time to check out how well I did and set up my picks for round two. I had 62.5% accuracy on selecting winning teams, though my predictions on series lengths was woefully inadequate. Still, I figure it is more important to select the winners than how long it will take them to win.

Having said that, here are my picks for round two (again, mostly based on what I witnessed in round one and my instincts):

There’s No Place Like Home:

Montreal VS. Philadelphia:

While I am certain that Philadelphia won’t roll over and play dead, I don’t think they have the necessary skill players to beat Montreal in this series. Montreal showed a lot of confidence and heart, and Price showed he can bounce back from some withering mistakes and backstop the team to victory. I pick Montreal in 6.

Rangers VS. Pittsburgh:

Oh, what a tough call. Pittsburgh totally surprised me (or should I say Ottawa surprised me by laying down so quickly) with their four game rout of Ottawa. The Rangers did exactly as I expected, making short work of New Jersey. But Pittsburgh won’t go quietly into that good night. The Rangers took five out of eight from Pittsburgh during the regular season, but some of those wins were OT wins. Still, I bleed Ranger blue so I have to go with the Rangers in 6.

Western Omelet:

Detroit VS. Colorado:

Both teams dispatched their opponents in six games, but I think Colorado had the tougher series as the Wild showed they could not only play spirited hockey but that they could hit and hit hard. Detroit has always been a favorite of mine, so based on their gritty play in round one plus the tough series Colorado had I pick Detroit in 6.

Dallas VS. San Jose:

Tough call again. Both teams played inspired hockey against difficult and tenacious opponents, but I think San Jose had the more difficult series. Calgary hit and hit hard, both with their bodies and their play. While San Jose may have the speed, Dallas has the experience and the heart to send the Sharks home. I pick Dallas in 6.

Lastly, I have watched nearly all the round one games and can only say this: the officiating sucked in the worst possible way. The only saving grace was that nearly all the disputed calls were handled perfectly and some penalties for embellishment (otherwise known as “diving”) were meted out. This is the most crucial time for teams, so to the officials I would just like to say: PAY ATTENTION!!!! Come on, you guys get PAID for this stuff!!! You’re supposed to KNOW THE RULES AND ENFORCE THEM!!! If you don’t WANT TO, please e-mail me. I’d love to give it a shot. There were way too many questionable calls and way too many non-calls at critical junctures. This is the most coveted trophy in sports, guys – let’s try to make it an honest and fair fight, shall we?

Additionally, I find myself (not for the first time either) agreeing with Don Cherry – the players need to dial it down a couple of notches in their post-scoring celebrations. After Arnott got a concussion from his OWN TEAMMATES and couldn’t play for the rest of the series, I would have thought guys would wise up. Sadly, they haven’t. I’ve seen more assaults than I ever witnessed on the streets of New York, so let’s keep it in check guys. I want to see the skill players continue to play, not sitting in the stands in suits.

*Editor’s Note: Apparently I was so intent on the Capitals winning their series in Round 1 that I inadvertantely had them playing Montreal in Round 2 here. Corrected with my apologies – so much for proof-reading my own stuff.