Pittsburgh Penguins @ Boston Bruins (8:00pm ET)
TV: CBC, RDS, NBCSN
Series: 3-0 Boston
For the Penguins, tonight's game plan is very simple: win or go home. They mustn't get distracted by the thought of winning four in a row or be eliminated, they are doing everything they can to focus on tonight and only tonight. However, it might be a tall order against a Boston team firing on all cylinders. Offense, defense, depth, toughness, faceoffs, goaltending...the Bruins have dominated Pittsburgh at every aspect of the game. Not to mention special teams, where the Bruins are an impressive 12-12 on the penalty kill so far this series, including 6-6 in a close game three.
So what can the Penguins do tonight? For one thing they have to rely on their stars, who have so far been snakebit by the Bruins defense. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin each play 25 minutes tonight, and maybe even spend some time on a line together. Coach Dan Bylsma doesn't often pair Crosby and Malkin together, instead preferring to share the talent around the top six. But for a team desperate to score, expect them to get a look on the same line.
The match-up game will be key, and Boston has the last change advantage. Crosby is going to have to win the head to head battle against Bruins center Patrice Bergeron. Same with Malkin and towering defenseman Zdeno Chara. Whoever can win these game within a game battles will earn the victory tonight. The series isn't over yet, but for the Penguins it feels like winner take all.
Tuukka Rask, who is having an outstanding playoffs, will start in goal for the Bruins against Tomas Vokoun. The only lineup change for either side will be Kaspar Daugavins taking Gregory Campbell's place, after the latter suffered an awful broken leg in game three.
Prediction: 3-1 Penguins.
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