Western Conference
(1) San Jose Sharks
vs.
(8) Colorado Avalanche
Series tied 2-2
Three of the first four games in this series went to overtime, including game two that the Avalanche won on a San Jose “own goal” after 65 minutes of scoreless hockey. But this series isn’t really as close as it looks: San Jose recorded 52, 51, and 45 shots on goal in the last three games. Though Avalanche goaltender Craig Anderson has been stellar, he needs more help from his offense to keep the Avs alive.
(2) Chicago Blackhawks
vs.
(7) Nashville Predators
Predators lead 2-1
Despite being down 2-1 in the series, expect Chicago’s high-powered offense to tie the series this evening and take back home ice advantage going into game five. Although goaltending has been the Blackhawks weakness all year, Antti Niemi played well inside the United Center in games 1 and 2. Chicago will need contributions from their big players to win three of the next four games.
(3) Vancouver Canucks
vs.
(6) Los Angeles Kings
Series tied 2-2
Last night, with 2:52 on the clock in the 3rd period, Vancouver’s Daniel Sedin passed the puck to his identical twin brother Hendrik Sedin, who burried it in the net and gave the Canucks a must-needed win to tie this series at 2-2. Vancouver has suffered from less-than-stellar play from the usually incredible Roberto Luongo in goal, but the Canucks have made up for it with timely offense. This series returns to Canada this weekend where Vancouver will try to take charge.
(4) Phoenix Coyotes
vs.
(5) Detroit Red Wings
Series tied 2-2
Detroit looked like a different team in games 2 and 4 than they did in games 1 and 3. The Wings put 7 on the board in Phoenix for game two, and shut out the Coyotes at home in game four. It will completely depend on which team shows up in Hockeytown, as this has been narrowed to a best of three series against Phoenix.
Eastern Conference
(1) Washington Capitals
vs.
(8) Montreal Canadians
Capitals lead 3-1
Washington struggled at home, losing game 1 and winning game 2 in overtime. But, the best team in the NHL marched into Montreal with a completely different attitude, and played like the powerhouse that they are in games 3 and 4, winning those matchups 5-1 and 6-3. Alex Ovechkin has tallied 5 points, 2 of them goals, and the rest of the Capitals have played like the 121-point team that they were in the regular season.
(2) New Jersey Devils
vs.
(7) Philadelphia Flyers
Flyers lead 3-1
From the very beginning, this series has been labeled a battle of goaltending. Two veterans – Philadelphia’s 33-year-old Brian Boucher and New Jersey’s 37-year-old Martin Brodeur – stand in net for these squads, both having represented their countries in the 2010 Olympics. Brodeur began with a weak showing in game won, making only 12 saves in the Devils’ 2-1 loss. Thanks to that poor opening slate, the Devils have their backs against the wall going into game five.
(3) Buffalo Sabres
vs.
(6) Boston Bruins
Bruins lead 3-1
Miroslov Satan, a former favorite among Buffalo Sabres fans, scored in the second overtime last night to crush his former team and give his new Boston Bruins a comanding 3-1 lead in this series. Buffalo won game one, but Boston bounced back with three victories in a row in a series where three of the four games have been decided by just one goal. The Sabres, divisional champs and three seed in the East, will have to win three straight for a chance to advance.
(4) Pittsburgh Penguins
vs.
(5) Ottowa Senators
Penguins lead 3-1
Regular season goals leader Sidney Crosby has been at it again all series long. In four games, Crosby has tallied four goals along with seven assists, and those 11 points lead the entire NHL playoffs. Despite squeaking out a game 1 win on the road, don’t expect Ottawa to stop Crosby and the Penguins from finishing this series at home tonight.
