Stanley Cup Playoff second-round staff predictions

If at first you don't succeed, try again.
A total of 21 analysts, writers and editors from NHL Network and NHL.com made
predictions before the Stanley Cup Playoffs began
. Eleven picked the Washington Capitals to win it all, nine went with the Chicago Blackhawks, and one had the Montreal Canadiens.

Of the 21 experts, 16 predicted a Stanley Cup Final between Washington and Chicago. The Capitals still are playing, but the Blackhawks, as well as the Canadiens, were among the eight teams eliminated in the first round.
So, we had the same analysts, writers and editors redo their picks for the second round only. Once again, the consensus was a bit overwhelming. According to these predictions, hockey fans are in for an Eastern Conference Final between the Capitals and New York Rangers, and a Western Conference Final between the Nashville Predators and Anaheim Ducks.
Here are the second-round picks from the experts from NHL Network and NHL.com:

EJ Hradek, NHL Network Analyst

(First-round record: 6-2)
Eastern Conference
WSH vs. PIT: Washington Capitals
OTT vs. NYR: New York Rangers
Western Conference
STL vs. NSH: Nashville Predators
ANA vs. EDM: Anaheim Ducks

Brian Lawton, NHL Network Analyst

(First-round record: 5-3)
Eastern Conference
WSH vs. PIT: Washington Capitals
OTT vs. NYR: New York Rangers
Western Conference
STL vs. NSH: Nashville Predators
ANA vs. EDM: Anaheim Ducks

Tony Luftman, NHL Network Host

(First-round record: 5- 3)
Eastern Conference
WSH vs. PIT: Washington Capitals
OTT vs. NYR: New York Rangers
Western Conference
STL vs. NSH: Nashville Predators
ANA vs. EDM:Anaheim Ducks

Michelle McMahon, NHL Network Host

(First-round record: 5-3)
Eastern Conference
WSH vs. PIT: Pittsburgh Penguins
OTT vs. NYR: New York Rangers
Western Conference
STL vs. NSH: Nashville Predators
ANA vs. EDM: Anaheim Ducks

Dave Reid, NHL Network Analyst

(First-round record: 6-2)
Eastern Conference
WSH vs. PIT: Washington Capitals
OTT vs. NYR: New York Rangers
Western Conference
STL vs. NSH: Nashville Predators
ANA vs. EDM: Anaheim Ducks

Kevin Weekes, NHL Network Analyst

(First-round record: 5-3)
Eastern Conference
WSH vs. PIT: Pittsburgh Penguins
OTT vs. NYR: New York Rangers
Western Conference
STL vs. NSH: Nashville Predators
ANA vs. EDM:Edmonton Oilers

Arpon Basu, LNH.com Senior Managing Editor

(First-round record: 6-2)
Eastern Conference
WSH vs. PIT: Washington Capitals
OTT vs. NYR: Ottawa Senators
Western Conference
STL vs. NSH: Nashville Predators
ANA vs. EDM: Edmonton Oilers

Amalie Benjamin, NHL.com Staff Writer

(First-round record: 4-4)
Eastern Conference
WSH vs. PIT: Washington Capitals
OTT vs. NYR: New York Rangers
Western Conference
STL vs. NSH: Nashville Predators
ANA vs. EDM: Anaheim Ducks

Tim Campbell, NHL.com Staff Writer

(First-round record: 4-4)
Eastern Conference
WSH vs. PIT: Pittsburgh Penguins
OTT vs. NYR: Ottawa Senators
Western Conference
STL vs. NSH: Nashville Predators
ANA vs. EDM: Anaheim Ducks

Brian Compton, NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor

(First-round record: 5-3)
Eastern Conference
WSH vs. PIT: Washington Capitals
OTT vs. NYR: New York Rangers
Western Conference
STL vs. NSH: Nashville Predators
ANA vs. EDM: Anaheim Ducks

Nick Cotsonika, NHL.com Columnist

(First-round record: 6-2)
Eastern Conference
WSH vs. PIT: Washington Capitals
OTT vs. NYR: New York Rangers
Western Conference
STL vs. NSH:Nashville Predators
ANA vs. EDM:Anaheim Ducks

Matt Cubeta, Director, NHL.com International

(First-round record: 5-3)
Eastern Conference
WSH vs. PIT: Washington Capitals
OTT vs. NYR: New York Rangers
Western Conference
STL vs. NSH: Nashville Predators
ANA vs. EDM: Anaheim Ducks

Lisa Dillman, NHL.com Staff Writer

(First-round record: 4-4)
Eastern Conference
WSH vs. PIT: Washington Capitals
OTT vs. NYR: New York Rangers
Western Conference
STL vs. NSH: Nashville Predators
ANA vs. EDM: Anaheim Ducks

Tom Gulitti, NHL.com Staff Writer

(First-round record: 5-3)
Eastern Conference
WSH vs. PIT: Washington Capitals
OTT vs. NYR: New York Rangers
Western Conference
STL vs. NSH: Nashville Predators
ANA vs. EDM: Anaheim Ducks

Adam Kimelman, NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor

(First-round record: 5-3)
Eastern Conference
WSH vs. PIT: Washington Capitals
OTT vs. NYR: New York Rangers
Western Conference
STL vs. NSH: St. Louis Blues
ANA vs. EDM: Edmonton Oilers

Robert Laflamme, LNH.com Senior Writer

(First-round record: 5-3)
Eastern Conference
WSH vs. PIT: Washington Capitals
OTT vs. NYR: New York Rangers
Western Conference
STL vs. NSH: Nashville Predators
ANA vs. EDM: Anaheim Ducks

Mike G. Morreale, NHL.com Staff Writer

(First-round record: 7-1)
Eastern Conference
WSH vs. PIT: Washington Capitals
OTT vs. NYR: New York Rangers
Western Conference
STL vs. NSH: Nashville Predators
ANA vs. EDM:Anaheim Ducks

Bill Price, NHL.com Editor-in-Chief

(First-round record: 3-5)
Eastern Conference
WSH vs. PIT: Washington Capitals
OTT vs. NYR: Ottawa Senators
Western Conference
STL vs. NSH: Nashville Predators
ANA vs. EDM: Edmonton Oilers

Shawn P. Roarke, NHL.com Director of Editorial

(First-round record: 3-5)
Eastern Conference
WSH vs. PIT: Washington Capitals
OTT vs. NYR: Ottawa Senators
Western Conference
STL vs. NSH: Nashville Predators
ANA vs. EDM: Anaheim Ducks

Dan Rosen, NHL.com Senior Writer

(First-round record: 5-3)
Eastern Conference
WSH vs. PIT: Pittsburgh Penguins
OTT vs. NYR: New York Rangers
Western Conference
STL vs. NSH: St. Louis Blues
ANA vs. EDM: Anaheim Ducks

Dave Stubbs, NHL.com Columnist

(First-round record: 5-3)
Eastern Conference
WSH vs. PIT: Washington Capitals
OTT vs. NYR: New York Rangers
Western Conference
STL vs. NAS: Nashville Predators
ANA vs. EDM: Edmonton Oilers