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| Via: washingtonpost.com |
New York Rangers @ Boston Bruins (5:30pm ET)
TV: TSN, RDS, NBCSN
Series: 3-1 Bruins
Despite the overtime loss in game four, the Bruins still have the Rangers on the ropes and will have another opportunity to eliminate them tonight at home in TD Garden. It might be a tougher test than many think, as the Rangers finally proved to themselves they can compete with Boston and may have some of the momentum going into game five. Since last season New York is 6-1 in playoff elimination games, and will look to continue that trend tonight. For Boston, the fear of blowing a 3-0 series lead against Philadelphia in 2010 must be in their minds, however a Stanley Cup victory since then should give them some confidence that they can close this series out. Boston's young forward Tyler Seguin might finally be heating up, scoring a goal and an assist to triple his post-season point total last night, while the Rangers may again be without former Conn Smythe winner Brad Richards, who was scratched in game four and is unlikely to get back into this series. The Bruins could also get a boost on the back end, as defenseman Dennis Seidenberg is very close to returning to the lineup. Tuukka Rask, who let in a couple embarrassing goals in game four, will get the start for Boston against Henrik Lundqvist. Prediction: 3-2 (OT) Bruins.
Detroit Red Wings @ Chicago Blackhawks (8:00pm ET)
TV: CBC, NBC, RDS
Series: 3-1 Red Wings
The Blackhawks find themselves in a very unusual situation after a season of such great success, down 3-1 and facing real adversity for the first time all year. They've looked shell-shocked after suffering three straight loses to the Wings. From coach Joel Quenneville's desperate line-juggling, to captain Jonathan Toews taking penalties on three straight shifts in game four, this is a team that is rattled and needs to find it's composure. Detroit meanwhile has played a steady game, has tons of confidence, and is executing coach Mike Babcock's systems perfectly. The fact that they've won the face-off battle in every game of this series falls perfectly into the hands of their puck possession style. Chicago will showcase a new line tonight, putting all their eggs into one basket with Patrick Kane, Toews and Patrick Sharp on the top line. While Kane and Sharp have been good this post-season, Kane only has two goals while Toews is yet to find the back of the net through nine games and he simply must perform tonight if the Hawks are to have any hope at the comeback. Both teams will likely go with the same rosters in game five tonight, including Corey Crawford in net for Chicago against Jimmy Howard, who has allowed only 2 goals in the last 3 games.
Prediction: 3-1 Hawks.
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