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| Via: washingtonpost.com |
Washington Capitals @ New York Rangers (4:30pm ET)
TV: TSN, CNBC, CSN-DC, MSG
Series: 3-2 Capitals
It's do or die time tonight for the Rangers at home in Madison Square Garden. One thing going for them is that the home team has been perfect thus far in this series, but they can't rely on just the home crowd to put them over the top. The team's two highest paid forwards, Rick Nash and Brad Richards, have combined for just one goal and one assist so far against the Caps. If New York hopes to come back and win the next two games, those guys simply must find the score sheet. The same can be said for Washington's superstar captain Alex Ovechkin who, after winning the Rocket Richard trophy, has just one goal through five games. It may all come down to dicipline tonight, as the Captials have easily won the special teams battle in the series (21.4% pp versue 9.5% pp for the Rangers). Ryane Clow, Darroll Powe and Marc Staal are all likely out for the Rangers, while Washington will be without Martin Erat and Brooks Laich once again. Braden Holtby and Henrik Lundqvist are your starters. Prediction: 3-2 (OT) Caps.
Boston Bruins @ Toronto Maple Leafs (7:30pm ET)
TV: CBC, RDS, NBCSN, NESN
Series: 3-2 Bruins
The Maple Leafs will be riding a huge wave of emotion tonight, coming home to a sold out Air Canada Centre after a huge 2-1 win in game five to stave off elimination.The Leafs have been getting contributions from unlikely sources, such as veteran Clarke MacArthur, who scored the game winner on Friday, and young defenseman Jake Gardiner, who has 4 points in 4 games. The Bruin's depth has been able to match the Leaf's, but the lack of scoring from Tyler Seguin, Patrice Bergeron, Jaromir Jagr and Brad Marchand must be concerning. Luckily David Krecji has been on fire, leading the league with 5 goals, 11 points and a +7 in only five games. On the injury front tonight, Bruins d-man Wade Redden is questionable to play, though he did skate today. The Leafs will ice the same line-up they did on Friday. The goaltending battle should be a good one again tonight, as Tuukka Rask (.933 save percentage) and James Reimer (.928) have been outstanding. Prediction: 4-2 Leafs.
Detroit Red Wings @ Anaheim Ducks (10:00pm ET)
TV: TSN, RDS, NBCSN, FoxSports-D/W
Series: 3-3
Ah finally, our first game seven of these NHL playoffs...is there anything better? These two teams met in a game seven scenario just four years ago, with the Wings coming out on top. This time around however, the Wings are the underdogs and it's the Ducks who will have home ice advantage. Despite the goal scoring prowess of Anaheim, Detroit has shown it's resiliency by winning all three of it's games in overtime. Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg, who started the series slowly, came alive in game six, scoring a combined 6 points. Anaheim's top guns however have not been so lucky, as Teemu Selanne, Corey Perry and Saku Koivu have just 2 goals combined in the series. Luckily netminder Jonas Hiller has been very good, sporting a 2.37 goals against average so far and making some huge stops. His counterpart Jimmy Howard has not been as good on the statsheet, but has likewise made some incredible saves, especially in overtime, to keep the Wings in this series. Without him, it may have been over already. The only injury to report is Tony Lydman, who seems unlikely to suit up for the Ducks. Prediction: 4-3 (OT) Ducks.
Tonight is exactly why I love the NHL Playoffs. Three elimination games, tons of star players, and surely lots of drama. I'd love to hear your comments on my predictions, I imagine I've probably made a few Bruins and Wings fans I know a little upset. And please don't forget to share if you like the content here at WAAP. I've altered the site a little bit, so let me know what you think, and also check out the Contest tab up top for info about how your image could be the new header at WAAP!
Tonight's gif is brought to you by the new John Torterella movie; If Looks Could Kill. This man is just so entertaining behind the bench, even when he does absolutely nothing. Expect to see some of this tonight:
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