2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs Predictions: Semifinals

Here are my predictions for the Semifinals of the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Eastern Conference
(M2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs (M1) Washington Capitals: This could very well be the best series of the playoffs in what is a rematch of a Semfinal from a year ago. Washington is coming off a six game series win over the upstart Toronto Maple Leafs. Pittsburgh is coming off a five game series win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Alex Ovechkin vs Sidney Crosby is obviously the big storyline here and it's their third time going up against each other in the playoffs in their careers. Both teams have a ton of depth with both forwards and defensemen. Braden Holtby has been terrific in net for the Caps and the defense has held it's own as well. Although Marc-Andre Fleury has done a good job in Matt Murray's absence, Murray is supposed to be back. The Pens are getting healthier now and that is why I'm picking the Pens to knock off the Presidents Trophy winners for the second straight season to go to their second straight Eastern Conference Final.
Prediction: Penguins in six games.

(WC1) New York Rangers vs (A2) Ottawa Senators: These two teams hooked up five years ago in the First Round, but both teams are dramatically different now. The big storyline here is that Derrick Brassard and Mika Zibanejad, who were traded for each other over the summer are playing against one other. Ottawa is coming off a six game series win over the Boston Bruins. The Rangers are coming off a six game series win over the Montreal Canadiens. These teams are about even offensively, but the Sens have the edge defensively due to their depth and the fact they have arguable the best defenseman in the playoffs in Eric Karlsson. Craig Anderson was solid in net for the Sens and Henrik Lundqvist was great in net for the Rangers. Lundqvist to me is the difference in this series and that will lift the Rangers to their fourth Eastern Conference Final in six seasons.
Prediction: Rangers in six games.

Western Conference
(WC2) Nashville Predators vs (C3) St. Louis Blues: This is such a great matchup we have. Nashville is coming off a stunning sweep over the Chicago Blackhawks. St. Louis is coming off a five game series win over the Minnesota Wild. Both goalies in Pekka Rinne and Jake Allen were outstanding in their First Round series's and both teams were terrific defensively. Vladimir Tarasenko is probably the best player in this series, but arguably no team looked better in their First Round series than the Preds, who underachieved in the regular season and guys like Ryan Johansen and Filip Forsberg playing well, they're poised to go to their first ever Western Conference Final.
Prediction: Predators in six games.

(P2) Edmonton Oilers vs (P1) Anaheim Ducks: This series is very underrated. Edmonton is coming off a six game series win over the reigning Western Conference champion San Jose Sharks. Anaheim is coming off an impressive four game sweep over the Calgary Flames. John Gibson and Cam Talbot did a nice job in goal for their respective teams. Connor McDavid is the best player in the series, but the Ducks are getting Cam Fowler back on defense and they are loaded offensively with Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, and Ryan Kesler leading the way. The Ducks will advance to their second Western Conference Final in three seasons in what should be a great series.
Prediction: Ducks in seven games.