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| Via: salon.com |
Boston Bruins @ Toronto Maple Leafs (7:00pm ET)
TV: CBC, RDS, NHLNetwork, NESN
Series: 1-1
It's going to be a rocking atmosphere in Toronto tonight, as the Leafs host their first playoff game in nine years. The pressure will be high for both clubs to win and take a 2-1 lead in the series. Despite easily outplaying the Leafs in game one, the Bruins had difficulty meeting the toughness that Toronto brought in game two. The Bruins will also need more offense, especially from Jaromir Jagr and Tyler Seguin, who are both pointless so far in the these playoffs. Toronto has been led by Joffery Lupul, who scored two goals in game two, and goalie James Reimer, who has thus far outduelled Tuukka Rask. The only injury to report tonight is Mike Kostka of the Leafs who is out indefinitely with a broken finger. Prediction: 4-3 Leafs.
Washington Capitals @ New York Rangers (7:30pm ET)
TV: TSN2, RDS2, NBCSN, MSG
Series: 2-0 Capitals
Washington will be looking to take a 3-0 stranglehold as the series shifts to Madison Square Garden tonight. The real surprise for the caps so far hasn't been their scoring, but their strong defensive play. Goalie Braden Holtby and the defense in front of him have only allowed one goal in the first two games. Adding to their success is the Caps power play, which is operating at 28.6% thus far. If the Rangers are to have any hope, they need to improve on special teams and they need to bury the chances that are occasionally provided for them. Ryan Clowe and Marc Staal will be game time decisions for the Rangers tonight, while the Caps will still be without Brooks Laich for a while. Henrik Lundvist will get the start against Holtby tonight, and needs to continue his stellar play so far in order for the Rangers to have a chance. Prediction: 3-2 Rangers.
Anaheim Ducks @ Detroit Red Wings (8:00pm ET)
TV: TSN, CNBC, FoxSports-D
Series: 2-1 Ducks
This is a series that has thus far been dominated by the special teams battle. Score on the pp, and you're probably going to win , as the Ducks did in game one and three. The Ducks clearly have momentum after scoring seven of the last eight goals in the series, and will look to carry that into game four tonight. The Wings will need a much better performance tonight from a lackluster offense that is averaging only 25.7 shots per game, as well as from goalie Jimmy Howard, who's already allowed 10 goals through three games. Toni Lydman seems unlikely to suit up for the Ducks tonight and veteran Sheldon Souray could take his place in the lineup. Detroit will be without Justin Abdelkader who is serving the first game of his suspension, as well as Darren Helm and Danny Dekeyser. Howard versus Jonas Hiller will be the goalie match-up.
Prediction: 4-3 (OT) Ducks.
St. Louis Blues @ Los Angeles Kings (10:00pm ET)
TV: CBC, RDS, NBCSN, FoxSports-MW/W
Series: 2-1 Blues
This series between two extremely good defensive teams has been a game of inches, as both have combined to score only 7 goals through three games. Both teams will be looking for more offense, especially from top scorers like Anze Kopitar and Jeff Carter of the Kings and Chris Stewart and David Backes of the Blues, all of whom have yet to find the back of the net in this series. After dropping the first two on the road, goalie Jonathan Quick was excellent in game three, picking up the shutout and pulling the Kings back into the series. He'll go up against Blues goaltender Brian Elliot, who had been the better of the two, allowing only 3 goals on 79 shots. Jamie Langenbrunner for the Blues and Matt Greene for the Kings will both be out again.
Prediction: 3-1 Kings.
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