Then There were 8: Round 2 of the 2014 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs

The journey for the richest prize in the National Hockey League (NHL) has begun. Along the first round, fans have seen thrilling overtime victories and great team play. There have also been very passionate rivalries that get only more heated by the post-season intensity. Matt Cooke and Brent Seabrook have each faced disciplinary hearings for hard hits that resulted in St. Louis’ David Backes being charged into the boards (Seabrook) and The Colorado Avalanche being short defenseman Tyson Barrie due to a knee injury (Cooke). Wild Card entrants gave the tops in their conference some serious competition, but three of the four fell short of achieving a round 1 series victory. Three match-ups went to game 7.

Round 2 means the field of 16 teams has been reduced to 8. Each match-up takes place within the division set-up that the first round used. The plots to follow during this part of the NHL Playoffs:  1.Rivalries will intensify as the winner of this bracket goes on to the conference finals (see Boston Bruins versus the Montreal Canadiens); 2. California will be showcased as the Anaheim Ducks draw the L.A. Kings for their next opponent; 3. The Pittsburgh Penguins advance to the next round and will face the New York Rangers; 4. Last year’s Stanley Cup Champions the Chicago Blackhawks are back on the road(they hope) to their next trophy as they play the Minnesota Wild; 5. There will be no jet lag for the teams and no late nights for the fans as each match-up takes place within the same time zone

Round 2 is underway.

*Sources used: www.nhl.com

Presenting the Western Conference updated brackets:

Central Division

#1-Colorado Avalanche

Wild Card- Minnesota Wild-won series in 7 games

#2- St. Louis Blues

#3-Chicago Blackhawks-won series  in 6 games

                                                                                               

Pacific Division

#1-Anaheim Ducks-won series in 6 games

Wild Card-Dallas Stars

#2-San Jose Sharks

#3-Los Angeles Kings-won series in 7 games

And now for The Eastern Conference :

The Metropolitan Division

#1-Pittsburgh Penguins- won series in 6 games

Wild Card-Columbus Blue Jackets

#2-New York Rangers-won series in 7 games

#3-Philadelphia Flyers

Atlantic Division

#1-Boston Bruins-won series in 5 games

Wild Card-Detroit Red Wings

#2-Tampa Bay Lightning

#3-Montreal Canadiens- won series in 4 games

 

Patrick Sharp of the Chicago Blackhawks