Boston Bruins @ New York Rangers (7:30pm ET)
TV: TSN, RDS, NBCSN
Series: 2-0 Bruins
The Rangers are in a familiar position, heading back to Madison Square Garden down 0-2 in a series. They also fell behind two games to the Capitals in the first round, but managed to win both games as home and eventually the series. It should be noted however that no team in NHL history has been able to come back to win two consecutive series' in which they lost the first two games. The key for the Rangers tonight will be keep a sustained forecheck on the Bruins and limit chances against. Boston will want to counter this attack by playing the tough game their known for, and getting in the face of Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist as often as they can. Lundqvist appeared to injure his shoulder during game two, and the Bruins will want to get on him early and often after they rattled him for five goals in that game. It looks like Boston will again be going with three rookies on the blueline tonight, as Denniz Seidenberg and Wade Redden don't appear ready to get back into the lineup yet, though they are very close and could be game time decisions tonight. The Rangers will still be without Marc Staal, Ryane Clowe and Darroll Powe, all of whom have yet to dress in this series. Tuukka Rask again gets the start for the Bruins versus Lundqvist.
Prediction: 3-2 Bruins.
Los Angeles Kings @ San Jose Sharks (10:00pm ET)
TV: TSN, RDS, NBCSN
Series: 2-1 Kings
It's been a reversal of fortune for the Kings in round two against San Jose. In round one, they lost the first two games on the road, then won the next two at home. Now the Kings have won the first two at home, but lost the third on the road. They'll need to buck the trend if they want to put the Sharks into a hole and take control of this series. Despite looking dominant since that game three victory against St. Louis, the Kings unraveled a bit in game three against the Sharks, taking costly penalties and ultimately losing the game in OT. They need to be more composed and use the playoff experience they've acquired in the last couple years if they want to put the Sharks on the ropes. San Jose is going to need to take advantage of the home crowd and try to take LA out of it early, especially if they get some power play opportunities as the pp unit is really humming right now. Kyle Clifford is expected back in the lineup for LA, but Jarret Stoll is still out. After returning form injury for game three, Sharks forward Martin Havlat sustained another injury and will now miss game four. That guy just can't catch a break. Defenseman Jason Demers may draw into the lineup as a forward for San Jose tonight, if needed. Antti Niemi and Jonathan Quick are your starting goalies.
Prediction: 4-3 Sharks.
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