Hockey fans are in for a treat later tonight as the NHL has lined up four mouth-watering playoff games that will definitely keep sports aficionados at the edge of their seats. Two of those games deserve utmost attention, namely the Chicago-Nashville clash and the Calgary-Vancouver showdown.
Who will emerge victorious in this pair of critical Game 2 encounters? Read on below as we break down these two important matchups and while you’re at it, you can check out our 2015 Stanley Cup preview and predictions here.
[sc:NHLArticles ]Chicago Blackhawks vs. Nashville Predators (9:30 PM ET)
Line: Chicago Blackhawks (-110) at Nashville Predators (-110); total: 5.0 – view all Stanley Cup lines
If Game 1 is any indication of what this series would be like, then we’re in for one epic matchup. The Chicago Blackhawks stunned the Nashville Predators in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference First Round clash with a heart-stopping 4-3 win on Wednesday night. Duncan Keith scored the game-winner in second overtime for the Blackhawks who rallied from an early three-goal deficit to notch the pulsating victory.
[sc:NHL240 ]Reserve goalie Scott Darling was the man of the match for the Blackhawks, stopping all the 42 shots he faced against Nashville. It was a fantastic relief performance for Darling who replaced struggling starter Corey Crawford after the first period. Also starring for Chicago was returning star Patrick Kane. He had two assists in his first game back since breaking his collarbone.
All is not lost, though, for the Predators who demonstrated their tremendous offensive power in Game 1. The Predators took a franchise-record 54 shots in their first postseason game since 2012. They will need to do a much better job, however, on the defensive end especially on Jonathan Toews. The 26-year-old scored three points in Game 1, recording a goal and two assists.
Writer’s Prediction
Nashville levels things up at 1-1.
Calgary Flames vs. Vancouver Canucks (10:00 PM ET)
Line: Calgary Flames (+130) at Vancouver Canucks (-150); total: 5.0 – view all Stanley Cup lines
The Calgary Flames quickly grabbed home-ice advantage away from Vancouver in their best-of-7 series with a thrilling 2-1 win over the Canucks in Game 1 of their Western Conference First Round showdown on Wednesday night. Defenseman Kris Russell scored with just under 30 seconds remaining to give the Canucks the comeback victory.
It’s back to the drawing board for head coach Willie Desjardins and the rest of the Canucks who have not won at home in the playoffs since Game 5 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final. They have also lost 10 of their last 11 playoff games overall. For Vancouver to stop its losing rut, it needs to execute much better on the offensive end.
After scoring 11 goals in their last two regular-season games, the Canucks were held to just a single goal in Game 1 as they found it difficult to breach the defense of goalie Jonas Hiller (29 saves, .967 SV%). The onus is on Radim Vrbata and Daniel Sedin to carry the scoring cudgels for the squad. Vrbata led the team in goals scored this season with 31 while Sedin is the Canucks’ leading assist man with 56 to his name.
Writer’s Prediction
Vancouver ties the series at 1-1.
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