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| Via: bostonherald.com |
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Boston Bruins (7:00pm ET)
TV: CBC, RDS, CNBC, NESN
Series: 0-0
The playoff action finally kicks off in the East, with this much-anticipated series between the Leafs and Bruins. Boston has limped into the playoffs, winning only 3 of their last 10 and will face a Toronto team pumped up for it's first playoff appearance since 2004. Leaf Phil Kessel was hot to finish the season, picking up 18 points in the final ten games, but has historically been snake-bitten against his old team. It looks like Nathan Horton isn't quite ready to get into the Bruins lineup, but Jaromir Jagr hopes to suit up after missing 2 games with flu-like symptoms. For the Leafs, Tyler Bozak will return to the lineup tonight. Boston will start Tuukka Rask in net who, despite losing his last two starts, had a simply outstanding season. Toronto will go with young James Reimer, making his first post-season appearance.
Prediction: 3-2 Bruins (OT)
New York Islanders @ Pittsburgh Penguins (7:30pm ET)
TV: TSN, NBCSN
Series 0-0
The other game in the East tonight features the first place Penguins taking on the underdog Islanders. The big story heading into this one is whether Pens superstar captain Sidney Crosby will get into the lineup or not. Crosby says he's finally ready to play after breaking his jaw a little more than a month ago against these same Islanders, but still needs medical clearance from his doctors. Defenseman Brooks Orpik will also be a game time decision tonight. Should Crosby sit, Pittsburgh still has a deep forward group aided by trade deadline acquisition Brendan Morrow, who has 14 points in 15 games since coming over from Dallas. It'll be a tough test for the Islanders who will want to continue a hot streak they had to end the season, led of course by John Tavares with 4 goals in his last 4 games. The Islanders will go to Evgeni Nabokov in net, which Pittsburgh counters with Marc-Andre Fleury.
Prediction: 4-2 Pens
San Jose Sharks @ Vancouver Canucks (10:30pm ET)
TV: TSN, NBCSN
Series: 0-0
This will be an opportunity to get revenge for the Sharks, who are still hurting from their loss to Vancouver in the 2011 Western Conference final. Despite being the higher seed, many around the league think the Canucks might be the underdog against a very good Sharks team. The Sharks have great depth at center and are one of the best faceoff clubs in the league. The Canucks hope to match that depth thanks to the trade deadline acquisition of Derek Roy who has been good, but will need to step up his offensive game this series. Much will depend on the play of Vancouver's starting goaltender Cory Schneider, who missed the final week of the regular season with an undisclosed minor injury. He should be in the lineup tonight, however the Canucks will still be without the services of Chris Tanev for a while. Defenseman Jason Demers isn't quite ready to go for the Sharks tonight and Scott Hannan may take his place in the lineup. While the Canucks seem likely to start Schneider, the Sharks will definitely be going with number one Antti Niemi, who had a spectacular season. Update: Looks like Roberto Luongo will be starting in place of Schneider after all. Prediction: 4-3 Sharks
That's it for tonight, just three games, but it looks to be another great night of hockey. I'd love to hear your predictions for this evening's games in the comments, and please share if you like the content here at WAAP. As always I leave you with your gif of the day, another look at Bryan Bickell's OT winner from last night:
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