The NBA and the Stanley Cup Playoffs keep rolling along with two mouth-watering games coming your way tonight. Opening festivities this evening is the Game 6 showdown between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals. Following shortly thereafter is Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals between the Golden State Warriors and the Utah Jazz.
Read on for a quick breakdown of these two pivotal games and while you’re at it, you can check out our preview of the 2017 Players Championship.
Don’t count out the Capitals just yet. Washington put forth a tremendous performance in Game 5 to cut the series deficit against Pittsburgh, 3-2. Andre Burakovsky (one goal, one assist) and Braden Holtby (20 saves on 22 attempts) led the way for the Capitals who scored three times in a span of eight minutes to start the final period on Saturday.
Action now shifts to Pittsburgh for Game 6 with the Penguins looking to end the series once and for all. For the defending Stanley Cup champions to grab the clincher, they will need to get a huge performance from star Sidney Crosby. Game 5 was Crosby’s quietest 60-minute performance of the series as he still battled the effects of the concussion he suffered in the first period of Game 3. Crosby, who led the NHL with 44 goals in the regular season, finished with an assist and three shots on goal in Game 5.
Writer’s Prediction
Washington (EVEN) forces a Game 7 with a thrilling 3-2 win.
The Golden State Warriors will look to complete the series sweep when they lock horns with the Utah Jazz later tonight. Kevin Durant showed his worth on Saturday, scoring 11 of his game-high 38 points in the final six minutes of Game 3. His offensive explosion was very much needed as the Splash Brothers struggled mightily with their shooting touch in Game 3. Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry combined to score just 29 points in that contest against the Jazz.
For the Jazz to grab the all-important victory in Game 4 tonight, they will need their reserves to step up their play. Utah’s bench was limited to just 10 points on Saturday as they shot a combined 4 of 22 from the field. That simply won’t do against a Golden State side that’s still undefeated in this year’s playoffs.
Writer’s Prediction
Golden State (-8.5) ends Utah’s title hopes with a convincing 103-86 win.
