Tonight's Playoff Match-ups 10/05

Via: thescore.ca

Toronto Maple Leafs @ Boston Bruins (7:00pm ET)
TV: CBC, RDS, NHLNetwork, NESN
Series: 3-1 Bruins
It's do or die time for the Leafs, who were unable to win either game three or game four on home ice and now face elimination tonight. The pressure will be high on the team to repeat their excellent performance in Boston for game two. Much of their success tonight will depend on two things: whether the Leaf's forwards can barrage Tuukka Rask with enough shots to beat him, and if James Reimer can hold the fort in goal. Reimer has not been great to this point in the series, allowing 3.33 goals per game. The Leafs will be without defenseman Mark Fraser tonight, after a scary incident in game four when he was hit in the face by a shot. A huge hit by Leafs captain Dion Pheneuf on Nathan Horton at the end of overtime had many wondering about Horton's status for tonight, but it seems he's good to go.
Prediction: 4-2 Bruins.


New York Rangers @ Washington Capitals (7:30pm ET)
TV: TSN, NBCSN, MSG, CSN-DC
Series: 2-2
Generally, whoever wins game five of a tied series goes on to win the series. That's the situation both the Rangers and the Caps are hoping to find themselves in after tonight. The home team has won every game in this series, which bodes well for Washington, however they must be concerned about Alex Ovechkin. Their Hart finalist and captain was held off the scoresheet during both games in New York, and only managed three shots. Both the Caps and the Rangers have been getting depth scoring, but Ovechkin's presence could be what tips this game in Washington's favor. Marc Staal is questionable to go for New York tonight, while Martin Erat will be missing for the Caps. Holtby and recent Vezina nominee Lundqvust are again your starters. Prediction: 3-2 Caps.

Anaheim Ducks @ Detroit Red Wings (8:00pm ET)
TV: TSN2, CNBC, RDSI, KDOC, FoxSport-Detroit
Series: 3-2 Ducks
As many expected, this series has been a close one, going to overtime in three of the five games as two veteran teams with Stanley Cup experience fight it out. One has to wonder if the Wings are starting to wear down because, after playing playoff-level hockey for more than a month, there has been a let down in the third period and in overtime lately. To make matters worse, Detroit's top guns Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg have gone quiet, combining for just one goal in the series. By contrast, Duck's captain Ryan Getzlaf has 3 goals and 5 points already, and is getting quality depth scoring behind him. Jimmy Howard will get the start for the Wings tonight, and he's looking to turn his game around after allowing three or more goals in four of the five games. He'll face Anaheim's Jonas Hiller who has thus far outplayed him. It seems the only lineup change for either side will be the insertion of Justin Abdelkader back into the Wings lineup after serving his two game suspension. Should the Ducks eliminate Detroit tonight, they'll move on to play the winner of the St.Lous/LA series in round two. Prediction: 3-2 (OT) Wings.

St. Louis Blues @ Los Angeles Kings (10:00pm ET)
TV: CBC, RDS, NBCSN, FoxSports-MW, Prime
Series: 3-2 Kings
Like the Ducks, the Kings are also looking to punch their ticket to the second round tonight, though the Blues won't make it easy for them. St. Louis took the first two games of the series, so they know how to beat the Kings, however LA showed their veteran savvy by winning the next three and seem to have all the momentum as they head home. Had overtime in game five gone the other way though, it could just as easily be the Kings facing elimination tonight, that's how close it's been. It's primarily been a goalie battle, as Jonathan Quick and Brian Elliot have been outstanding for their clubs, and there's no reason not to expect more of the same tonight. There are no injuries to report for either team. Prediction: 2-1 (OT) Kings.

So, there you have it, another great night of hockey in the NHL with three teams potentially going home and the second round match-ups in the West could be set. What it comes down to is whether any of those teams can actually pull out a victory, for that we'll just have to wait and see.