NHL Playoff Previews and Predictions – Saturday, April 25
After a quiet night on the ice on Friday night, we’ve got a busy day of NHL playoff action ahead today.
Three spots have already been clinched in the conference semifinals, and two more could be clinched today in the three games that are on tap. Will the Pittsburgh Penguins bounce back from blowing a chance to put the Philadelphia Flyers away at home? Can San Jose stay alive against Anaheim? Will the road team finally win one in the Calgary-Chicago series?
As usual, I’ve got my picks for all of the action. Go with them, go against them, do so at your own risk either way. More importantly, if you’re going to do some NHL betting today in the middle of following the NFL Draft (well, if you’re into the draft), good luck and wager responsibly!
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins – PIT 3-2 (NBC, 3 P.M. ET)
So, the Flyers were supposed to succumb and let the Penguins roll on into the conference semifinals in front of their home fans, huh? I and a lot of other people were wrong on that one, because the Flyers came out in Game 5 in Pittsburgh and played like a team whose season was on the line, winning 3-0 to turn the series on its head.
Now, with a win this afternoon, the Flyers can force a Game 7 back in Pittsburgh, and considering what they did in Game 5, they’d have to feel pretty confident about their chances.
The Flyers have to keep the same mindset that they had in Game 5, but at the same time, the Penguins should have that ‘backs against the wall’ mindset, because if they somehow let this series slip out of their grasp after having full control, it’ll be a huge letdown, to say the least.
We’ll be able to see pretty early on if and how much the Penguins’ confidence was shaken by the loss in Game 5, because if their confidence and intensity level doesn’t match the Flyers’, then this one will be beyond doubt well before the final horn.
I’m inclined to believe that the Penguins will be able to shake off Game 5 and bring it with a renewed vigor this afternoon, but will it be enough to match up with and overcome the Flyers? As much as it begrudges my Penguins fandom to do so, I’m going to take the Flyers to force a Game 7 that shouldn’t be.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Calgary Flames – Series Tied 2-2 (9 P.M. ET)
Well well, we’ve got us a good series on our hands, don’t we? After the Blackhawks took the first two games in the series in Chicago, the Flames struck back with two wins in Calgary to tie things up heading back to Chicago. The road team hasn’t won as of yet, and I don’t see it happening today. Blackhawks win, but I’m liking this series to go the distance.
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San Jose Sharks vs. Anaheim Ducks – ANA 3-1 (Versus, 10 P.M. ET)
Just like the Flyers did against Pittsburgh and the Washington Capitals did against the New York Rangers last night, San Jose has to step up and force a Game 6 tonight. It’s time to forget about what happened in the first four games and focus on the fact that, until Anaheim has actually gotten that fourth victory, that the series is up for grabs.
Really, the only way that the first four games could have gone any worse for the Sharks is if they had been swept, but since they weren’t swept, then they might as well buck up and try to show that they’re not out of it. I think they’ll do that tonight and continue to hang on by the skin of their teeth, but I don’t see them hanging for much longer, if you catch my drift.
Dont Agree? Let us Know. We love hearing your thoughts and picks!
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