Ugh. The worst could happen tonight - the Kings could sweep the Vancouver Canucks. I get that people don't like Vancouver. I'm not a fan of them, as well; however, I dislike the Kings more. This turn of events drives a spear into my stomach, a tummy that is still healing from her team not being in the playoffs.
I want nothing more than for the Kings and the Sharks to fail. Even if my team sucked this season and didn't make it to the dance, I want Los Angeles and San Jose to crash and burn. Sour grapes? Sore loser? ABSOLUTELY. That's why they're called rivalries, folks.
GAME 1: New York Rangers at Ottawa Senators, 4:30pm on CBC, CNBC, RDS2, MSG PLUS (HD)
SBN Sites: Blueshirt Banter & Silver Seven
Series Record & Storyline(s): Empire State 2 - Eh Province 1. Sens Captain Daniel Alfredsson is not expected to be back after taking an elbow to the face from countryman Carl Hagelin. Hagelin is also out of the lineup as he's serving the second game of his three game suspension. Returning back to the lineup for the Sens is tough guy Matt Carkner after serving a one game suspension for taking a couple extra swings at Brian Boyle in Game 2. This will continue to be a physical series and probably rest a lot on the shoulders of the goaltenders.
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GAME 2: Pittsburgh Penguins at Philadelphia Flyers, 4:30pm on TSN, NBCSN, RDS, ROOT (HD), CSN-PH (HD)
SBN Sites: PensBurgh & Broad Street Hockey
Series Record & Storyline(s): Eagles 3 - Steelers 0. After that last game, there are waaaaayyy too many storylines to recount. The Flyers are in the Penguins heads. Sidney Crosby has not been shy about airing his grievances against the Flyers. While I'm not a big fan of the Flyers, they've handled all the hoopla well. They act like they don't care and it digs at the Penguins. Following Sunday's melee, the Shanahammer struck the Penguins for their actions Aaron Asham is out 5 games, Craig Adams is out 1 game, James Neal suspended 3 games, and Dan Bylsma was fined $10,000. Finally, the Pens will be lucky to get out of this game without having 5+ goals scored on them. Marc-Andre Fleury has given up a total of 20 goals in three games and Bylsma is standing by his man. Ruh-roh.
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GAME 3: Vancouver Canucks at Los Angeles Kings
SBN Sites: Nucks Misconduct, Jewels From The Crown & Battle of California
Series Record & Storyline(s): Lakers 3 - Grizzlies 0. Ugh. This is horrible. I'm still not over the possibility of the Kings moving on and our guys moving back to their summer homes. There are two positives for Vancouver. 1) Daniel Sedin will be back in the lineup, although who knows what kind of shape his noggin will be in. 2) Cory Schneider is back in net. He gave the 'Nucks the best chance at winning the last game. The #1 goal for the Canucks is to stop...Dustin Brown? After rumors of possibly being traded at the deadline, the Kings' captain has been lights out. I knew the guy could hit, but this sudden offensive explosion is somewhat of a shock. I never knew him to be that go-to goal scoring guy, especially when his team contain names like Anze Kopitar, Mike Richards and Jeff Carter. Canucks need a creepy twin miracle to win this one.