2010 Second-Round Picks

Quick and dirty (but not sloppy) selections, just like Mr. Cleo likes them.

Eastern Conference
No. 4 Pittsburgh Penguins over No. 8 Montreal Canadiens in five: Unlike the Caps, the Pens know how to adjust their game for the playoffs. (There, I said it.) The defending champs, therefore, will be able to navigate the Habs' neutral-zone trap and return to the Eastern Conference finals for the third straight year. The key to this series will be the Pens' ability to put pressure on Jaroslav Halak and make sure he does not have the opportunity to steal another series. If the Habs can continue their shot-blocking machine (led by Hal Gill, who won a Cup with the Pens last spring), they might be able to extend this series. But their magic carpet ride ends at the Igloo.

No. 6 Boston Bruins over No. 7 Philadelphia Flyers in seven: This is going to be a nasty, tight-checking series that may make the Bruins-Buffalo Sabres series look wide open. Against Buffalo, Boston was able to sustain enough offense and display amazing defense and goaltending to take control (and not blow a 3-1 series lead, despite losing game five). The Flyers, who have been off for a while since dominating the New Jersey Devils in five games, are fighting injury woes. That won't bode well for their chances to advance past the resurgent Bruins.

Western Conference
No. 5 Detroit Red Wings over No. 1 San Jose Sharks in six: The Wings are surging at the right time and put on a clinic against the Phoenix Coyotes (in most of the games) during their first-round series. Meanwhile, the Sharks played well enough to eliminate a game Colorado Avalanche squad. If the Wings continue to play to their potential, there's no way the Sharks will be able to beat them. San Jose was stymied by Craig Anderson's sometimes-spectacular goaltending, but eventually wore him down. They won't be able to do that to Syracuse-born Jimmy Howard, who has a stellar defense in front of him.

No. 2 Chicago Blackhawks over No. 3 Vancouver Canucks in seven: These two teams put on an epic series last season and there's no reason to think that's going to change for the encore. The evenly-matched teams are solid in all facets of the game. The Canucks boast the better goaltending, but the Hawks probably have a deeper defense. This series will come down to which team can control the play. Mr. Cleo's money is on the team from the Second City.