2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs Semifinals Predictions

Here are my predictions for the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Eastern Conference
(M1) Washington Capitals vs (M2) Pittsburgh Penguins: This has all the makings of a classic. Sidney Crosby and the Penguins will take on Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals in the postseason for the first time since 2009. The Caps are coming off a six game series win over the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pens are coming off a five game series win over the New York Rangers. You can make a case for either team here, but although the Pens don't have Marc-Andre Fleury, Matt Murray was great in goal against the Rangers and Braden Holtby was awesome against the Flyers. The Caps didn't end the Flyers series all that well and they might not have Brooks Orpik back due to an upper body injury. Give me the hotter team to advance to the Eastern Conference Final and that's the Pens.
Prediction: Penguins in seven games.

(A2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs (WC1) New York Islanders: This should be a fantastic series as well. Tampa is coming off a five game series win over the Detroit Red Wings and the Islanders are coming off a six game series win against the Florida Panthers. John Tavares has arguably been the best player in these Stanley Cup Playoffs so far, but it seems like the Bolts might be getting healthy at the right time with Anton Stralman potentially coming back after fracturing his fibula and Steven Stamkos practiced for the first time since his blood clot. So don't rule those two important players for the Bolts returning. Thomas Greiss has done a nice job filling in for the injured Jarasolav Halak,  but Ben Bishop has been great in these playoffs too. Tavares might be the best player in this series, but the Bolts are the better team now that their getting healthy and they'll advance to the Eastern Conference Final for the second straight season.
Prediction: Lightning in seven games.

Western Conference
(C1) Dallas Stars vs (C2) St. Louis Blues: This should be a fun series for sure. Dallas is coming off a six game series win over the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis is coming off an epic seven game series win over the defending champion Chicago Blackhawks. Brian Elliott was outstanding in net for the Blues meanwhile the Stars duo of Kari Lethonen and Antti Niemi was not good. The Stars can flat out score and the Blues can score too. The difference in this series will no doubt be goaltending and defense and that's what gives the Blues the edge.
Prediction: Blues in six games.

(P3) San Jose Sharks vs (WC1) Nashville Predators: This should be a very good series. San Jose is coming off a five game series win over the Los Angeles Kings. Nashville is coming off a seven game series win over the Anaheim Ducks. Both Pekka Rinne and Martin Jones were good in net in their first round series's. Both teams can score well and defend well, so this series should go to distance, but I like the Sharks slightly better here although I wouldn't be surprised if the Preds win the series.
Prediction: Sharks in seven games.