We have four games on tap tonight as we continue with the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Today I want to focus on the two teams that are on the verge of elimination from this post-season, The Ottawa Senators & the New Jersey Devils.
Ottawa Senators:
The Senators came in as the #5 seed in the East and jumped out to a great start in Game one defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-4. Since then the Penguins have taken a hold of the series, winning three games in a row, and pushing Ottawa to the brink of elimination.
The Senators have had trouble up front at the forward position scoring goals. It has become so bad that in Game 4 they inserted Jonathan Checchoo back in their lineup to provide a spark offensively. Cheechoo is a former 50 goal scorer that was acquired from San Jose in the Dany Heatley trade earlier than this summer and was sent to Ottawa's AHL affiliate in Binghamton back in February because he wasn't scoring any goals.
My prognosis for Ottawa is bleak and I think the Penguins will wrap up this series tonight at home.. The Penguins have played a lot of hockey the last two season and with Philadelphia & Washington also in position to wrap up their respective series it is important for Pittsburgh to take care of business and get some rest before round two begins.
Prediction: Pittsburgh wins tonight 5-2 to win the series 4 games to 1.
New Jersey Devils:
The Devils are down 3-1 to Philadelphia and are also facing elimination tonight. Even though the Devils lost 5 of 6 games in the regular season to the Flyers I thought they would do better in the playoffs. So far I could not have been more wrong if I tried.
The Devils played their worst game of the series in Game 4 falling behind by two goals. Once that happened it seemed like the Devils quit trying. This lead to Devils General Manager Lou Lamoriello going into a tirade in the Devils locker room which involved "the throwing of a jelly jar" against the wall of the locker room.
Despite being in a 3-1 hole I don't think the Devils are done yet. Back in 2000 the Devils were down 3-1 to Philadelphia only to come back and win the series 4 games to 3. The Devils head coach, Jacques Lemaire, knows a thing or two about coming back from a 3-1 deficit having done it twice in the 2003 Stanley Cup Playoffs. I'm not saying history will repeat itself but it's something just to keep in the back of your mind.
Prediction: I think the Devils win Game 5 this evening back in Jersey. The Flyers are without two of their top forwards, Simon Gagne & Jeff Carter, who are both out with foot injuries for probably the rest of the series. Those are key losses for Philly up front. I'm not sure if that will be enough for the Devils to overcome a 3-1 deficit but I think it will be enough for them to extend this series to a 6th game. Devils win tonight 3-1.
In action last night, Boston took a 3 games to 1 lead over Buffalo after defeating the Sabres 3-2 in double overtime on a "power play goal by Miroslav Satan text" Game 5 is Friday night in Buffalo. Washington doubled up Montreal 6-3 last night to take a 3-1 series lead and they look to wrap up the series Friday in Washington. Vancouver defeated Los Angeles 6-4 to even up their best of seven series at 2 games a piece. Game 5 is also Friday in Vancouver.
We have four games tonight. Beside Ottawa at Pittsburgh & Philadelphia at New Jersey, Nashville host Chicago in Game 4 of their series while San Jose hosts Colorado in Game 5 of their series.
Thanks for reading & enjoy the hockey.
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