By Jacob Messing

The first round of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs saw just one upset and a single seven-game series as newfound heroes and grizzled veterans were sure their teams remained one of eight standing after the initial bout.

The field will be cut in half again over the next two weeks as familiar matchups await and four Western Conference teams aiming for their first Stanley Cup.

Nashville Predators vs Winnipeg Jets

Season series: Nashville, 3-1-0

A battle of deep offenses, Vezina Trophy nominees, and what would likely be a conference finals matchup under a re-seeding format has been formed as two powerhouse teams fight for a chance to move on.

While many expected the President’s Trophy-winning Nashville Predators to walk all over the Colorado Avalanche, the young, fast team showed confidence and guts as they stretched the series to six games. The experience may have been humbling for Nashville, a team “Cup or bust” season after losing in the finals in 2017 and returns reinforced for another long run.

A deeper forward group and a career year for 35-year-old netminder Pekka Rinne support the Predators’ enviable defensive core. Coach Peter Laviolette has created a team that can play any style, allowing it to match any weapon an opponent may boast.

For Winnipeg, years of building by general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff are paying off as his team has everything. The Jets are young, fast, big, deep, and only lack playoff experience, a weakness that may be enough for Nashville to fend them off.

? Connor Hellebuyck looks ahead to the second round, speaks on Pekka Rinne and more. #NSHvsWPG pic.twitter.com/sOLeMrLSWp

— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) April 25, 2018

The Jets are as equally deep up front as Nashville, but they lack the same game-changing blue line and a proven playoff goaltender in Connor Hellebuyck. The 24-year-old Hellebuyck turned the Jets into a contender with his consistently dominant play in the crease this season and continued his hot play against the Minnesota Wild in the opening round.

Prediction: Nashville learned to take every opponent seriously and made a statement with a 5-0 win to eliminate Colorado. Winnipeg will return next year, but Nashville will fend them off in another six-game series.

Vegas Golden Knights vs San Jose Sharks

Season series: Vegas, 3-0-1

The only two teams who swept their opponents in the first round clash for another seven-game series as the new Pacific Division foes meet. Vegas won the season series without a regulation loss, but a refurbished San Jose team that lost in the finals in 2016 is eager to return.

Vegas continues to shock the hockey world after coming away with a sweep of the 2012 and 2014 Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings. Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury needed to be the Knights’ best player and came through with two shutouts, a 0.65 goals against average, and .977 save percentage in the first round.

? Coach Gallant: There's some similarities in the way we play the game, but I don't know what the margins are going to be.

We'll see after this series. We played them well during the regular season, but it means nothing now. pic.twitter.com/xF5IpVHwkw

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) April 24, 2018

The score-by-committee approach of Vegas continued to work in the first round as 13 different players collected at least one point. Reilly Smith led the team with three points (all assists) in the opening round. Seven different players tied for the team lead with one goal in that time.

In San Jose, anyone not named Logan Couture or Martin Jones either had a slow start, disappointing season, or both, but the Sharks have kept winning nonetheless. The addition of Evander Kane at the deadline has proven San Jose to be a dangerous underdog, overshadowed by the rest of the West.

Jones and the offense were on fire in the first round as he posted a .970 SV%, 1.00 GAA, and a shutout while allowing just four goals in as many games. The offense netted 16 over a healthy Ducks squad missing only Cam Fowler.

Prediction: It feels wrong to continually go against the Knights, but San Jose’s sweep was a bit more impressive given the opponent, fashion, and lack of No. 1 center Thornton. They’ll end Vegas’ inaugural season after six games.

Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins

Season series: split, 2-2-0

It’s Sidney Crosby versus Alex Ovechkin all over again as the seemingly annual second round matchup is back. For the third time in three years, Washington will face Pittsburgh in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The Capitals have held home ice advantage each time, but have failed to overcome the two-time defending champs. Washington isn’t as deep as years past, losing forwards Justin Williams and Marcus Johansson as well as defensemen Kevin Shattenkirk, Karl Alzner, and Nate Schmidt. But the Capitals’ depth is still providing a boost.

#Caps head coach Barry Trotz talks with the media as Washington gets ready for Round Two against the Pittsburgh Penguins. #ALLCAPS https://t.co/5WOdolRLUB

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 25, 2018

Meanwhile, Alex Ovechkin posted eight points (5 G, 3 A), John Carlson recorded nine (1 G, 8 A), and Braden Holtby returned to form over the six-game series. They’ve proven to be resilient after forfeiting leads, and perhaps less pressure could be the recipe this time around.

Pittsburgh still boasts the two leading scorers of the playoffs thus far in Crosby and Jake Guentzel with six goals and 13 points apiece. The status of Carl Hagelin and Evgeni Malkin is up in the air while Phil Kessel didn’t offer much to talk about.

The Penguins’ weakness remains the blue line. Brian Dumoulin and Kris Letang had noteworthy first rounds, but the rest seemed to be passengers. The loss of Ian Cole will be felt against Washington and their potent power play and revenge vendetta. Matt Murray is also a question mark, as even with two first-round shutouts, he has subpar numbers and there’s no Marc-Andre Fleury to fall back on pending a potential injury.

Prediction: It’s hard to go against the two-time defending champs, but Washington grew as a team significantly against Columbus and will finally make it past Pittsburgh in a seven-game series.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Boston Bruins

Season series: Boston, 3-1-0

After handling New Jersey fairly easily, the Lightning received some valuable rest as Boston and Toronto battled it out in seven games. Based on the season series, Tampa was likely rooting for Toronto, which it bested three of four times, versus Boston, which claimed three of four over the Lightning.

The Lightning boast Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, and Victor Hedman, who lead a deep team on both ends of the ice. Strong two-way play and scoring that comes from everywhere is what has helped the Lightning return to their contender status from a few years ago.

Goaltender Andre Vasilevskiy has admitted he’s tired, and while the time off after a quick first round likely helped, it will only do so much against a Boston team that hammers opponents when it comes to possession metrics. Vasilevskiy was able to fend off a young, inexperienced Devils team, but a deeper Bruins team is on the horizon.

The Bruins remain the bigger, heavier team and pack just as much offensive talent as the Lightning in a battle that’s sure to go seven games. Their ability to control the puck and run the play won’t be easy for Tampa, even with a more talented and experienced blue line with five players who have played in the Stanley Cup Final.

#NHLBRUINS WIN GAME 7!!!!

7-4 over Toronto. We'll see you in Tampa!!! pic.twitter.com/KdMl7i6aPe

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 26, 2018

Patrice Bergeron scored his first goal in game seven and when one comes, more are sure to follow. More offense from Bergeron means even more from David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand, a trio Tampa will struggle to match on both sides of the ice.

Prediction: Boston had a battle on its hands with an underrated Leafs team, but will prove to be too much for the Lightning as the Bruins top line continues to punish opponents and takes the series in seven games.

Don’t miss all the NHL action in round two, which gets underway Thursday night with Pittsburgh vs Washington and San Jose vs Vegas.

Have a question or a comment for Jacob? You can find him on Twitter @JMessing23.