Heading into last night’s games, I thought I was sitting in pretty good shape. Turns out I was wrong. I still say that if St. Louis hadn’t been hit with the flu, they would have won their series a couple of games ago…Oh well, no point crying over spilt - uh, I won’t go there.

On to my picks for round two:

(1) vs. (7)
Who would have thought that Anahiem would knock off Detroit in four? Apparently none of us. Dallas will have some trouble with Anahiem, but I’m still picking Dallas to win. Dallas plays a different game than Detroit, and Turco is a better goalie than Cujo ever will be.

(4) vs. (6)
Minnesota surprised a lot of people too, knocking off the heavily favoured Avs. I think that the flu bug that hit St. Louis did a lot of favours to Vancouver, including getting Bertuzzi, Naslund and Morrison rolling. It doesn’t hurt that Linden is playing some of the best hockey of his career, and the Sedin’s are starting to blossom a bit. This will also be a tough series, but I think that Vancouver will win.

(1) vs. (4)
Philly was given the last series on a platter. I’ve never seen the leafs play as badly in their own end as they did for the last seven games. Rest assured that Ottawa won’t make that mistake. Ottawa is rested, they’re ready, and they’re going to roll over Philadelphia

(2) vs. (3)
I said that last round was Khabibulin vs. Kolzig, and to a certain extent, that played out. This round will be Brodeur vs. Khabibulin. I have to pick Jersey. I don’t think they play as boring a style as some people think, but they do play solid in their own zone. Brodeur is the consumate playoff goaltender (some would say that he’s the best of what’s left, now that Roy and Belfour are gone) As much as I hate picking all the favorites, I have to pick Jersey.

I see quite a few of you have your picks in already, so thanks - for those of you who don’t - get them in early. First games are on tomorrow night, so you don’t have a lot of time.

Simpson’s quote of the day: “People, take it easy. We are all upset about Mr. Burns’ plan to, uh, block out our sun. It is time for decisive action. I have here a polite but firm letter to Mr. Burns’ underlings, who, with some cajoling, will pass it along to him or at least give him the jist of it. Also, it has been brought to my attention that a number of you are stroking guns. Therefore, I will step aside and open up the floor.” - Mayor Quimby