The second round match-ups of the 2019 NHL playoffs are now set and are set to start tonight, April 25th 2019.

Only one Original Six team remains in the postseason – the Boston Bruins who defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs in seven games.  There are no remaining Canadian based team, so for the 26th consecutive year no Canadian team will win the Stanley Cup.

The match-ups are as follows:

Eastern Conference

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Boston Bruins

Boston won two of the three match-ups between the two teams this year and this is their first ever post-season meeting.  The Bruins knocked off the Maple Leafs in the first round for the second consecutive year (and the third time in six years) while the Blue Jackets defeated the reigning Presidents’ trophy winners, the Tampa Bay Lightning.  Look for the Bruins to win in six games.

Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Islanders

The Islanders won two of the three match-ups this year.  This is their first post-season match-up.  The Islanders beat the Pittsburgh Penguins in four games while the Hurricanes beat the Washington Capitals in seven games, including a double overtime game seven.  Look for the Islanders to win in seven games.

Western Conference

Dallas Stars vs. St. Louis Blues

In four regular season match-ups this season The Stars won three.  This is the 14th post-season match-up between the two teams with The Blues winning seven of those times .  The Blues won their last match-up, in the second round of the 2016 playoffs.  The Stars beat the Nashville Predators in six games to get to this round while the Blues beat the Winnipeg Jets in six games.  Look for the Stars to win in six games.

Colorado Avalanche vs. San Jose Sharks

The Shrks won all four games this season.  This is their fifth meeting in the post-season with each team winning twice, the last time being in 2010 when the Sharks won.  Look for the Avalanche to win in six games.

So, look for the following teams to win:

Eastern Conference:  Boston Bruins and New York Islanders
Western Conference:  Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars.

I was 1-7 in my predictions for the first round.  Let’s hope I made better predictions this time.