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For all the fun in the first round, can we agree that the second round was missing...something? (Maybe, I dunno, a few games in the West?)
Halfway through the playoffs, this year's pick 'em is going largely by the book so far. The three big favorites in each series (the Rangers, Blackhawks and Ducks) all won, and in the fourth we had an even split between the Lightning and Canadiens, so that was always going either way. What might be most noteworthy of all is the, um, slightly under par performance of the CC staff this year. Jamie currently holds the staff torch in 19th place, 22 points out of the lead, which is to say that the "staff can't win prizes" exemption won't be invoked this year.
As for the commenters, it's a six-point lead for datdude323 on 50 points, one of four who perfectly called three of the four second-round series (and no one had the Blackhawks in a sweep, so that one almost doesn't count). Congratulations are also in order to Caniac996, Sin Bin and Cruel Intentions for their near-perfection in the second round. Here are the standings after Round 2:
Now onto round 3. Picking the correct team is now worth four points, and the five-point bonus for the correct series length is still in play.
Picks are due by Saturday, May 16 at 1:00 p.m. which is the start of the Eastern Conference final. The CC staff's picks are below. Who ya got?
Good luck!
Round 3 | (M1) NYR vs. (A2) TBL |
(P1) ANA vs. (C3) CHI |
Bob | Rangers in 7 | Ducks in 6 |
Cory | Rangers in 5 | Ducks in 7 |
Brian | Rangers in 6 | Blackhawks in 6 |
Jamie | Lightning in 6 | Ducks in 6 |
PackPride17 | Rangers in 6 | Blackhawks in 7 |
Matt | Rangers in 7 | Ducks in 7 |
Kyle | Lightning in 6 | Blackhawks in 6 |