Quick Reaction: Who's Ready For Round Three?

(Photo courtesy of nhl.com)

Upset after upset after upset. Wow. My pick to win it all is out, Montreal is plowing through series like it’s no one’s business, the Islanders are defying odds, and Tampa Bay is just out here winning. I certainly did not think this combination of the four teams would be left, but here we are. 

For the Montreal vs. Vegas series, I just want Montreal to win. They have gotten through some talented teams, and if anyone can take down Vegas (and if it wasn’t Colorado) it has to be Montreal. I am shocked Vegas came back and dominated Colorado, so if they keep that momentum, they won’t be able to be shut down. This is going to be a physical and exciting series.

On the other side of the semifinals, we have Tampa Bay and the Islanders. I have to go with the Islanders on this one. For one, I don’t want Tampa Bay to be back-to-back champs. Second of all, the Islanders have been playing so strongly. They have everything they need to defeat the Lightning, especially since the teams met in the same round last season. Both teams have had solid goaltending in the postseason, so it will be a good matchup.

This is the first time that teams are playing out of their division. That means none of these teams have played each other at all this season. I think there will be a learning curve for every team, which will make these series all the more interesting.