We could have our first two playoff eliminations tonight!
GAME 1: Philadelphia Flyers at Pittsburgh Penguins, 4:30PM on TSN, NBCSN, RDS, CSN-PH (HD), ROOT (HD)
SBN Sites: PensBurgh & Broad Street Hockey
Series Record & Storyline(s): Phillies 3 - Pirates 1. Can the Penguins keep their playoff run alive? I'd say they have a pretty good chance after scoring 10 goals in the last game and turning the Flyers into the Penguins of Games 1-3. Yet, there are two factors that could cloud that future. 1) The Penguins have won ONCE against the Flyers at Consol Energy Center since it opened. 2) Marc-Andre Fleury needs a HUGE lead from his team to relax. He started playing way better when the Penguins were up 8-3. Leads are not safe on either end of the ice, though. Ilya Bryzgalov will be Philly's starter tonight, even after being yanked after giving up five goals in Game 4. His backup, Sergei Bobrovsky, isn't much better. He gave up another five goals after taking over. This series has been crazy. I want it to go seven.
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GAME 2: Detroit Red Wings at Nashville Predators, 5:00PM on CBC, CNBC, RDSI, FS-D (HD), SPSO (HD)
SBN Sites: Winging It In Motown & On the Forecheck
Series Record & Storyline(s): Carnivores 3 - Flat Tires 1. I haven't really paid too much attention to this series beyond the controversy. I am in favor of anything that has the Red Wings going out in the first round. Keep in mind, this could be the last we see of Nicklas Lidstrom, should Detroit be eliminated. Like Teemu Selanne, Lidstrom has a big decision to make in the off-season to see if he feels up to one more year. It's somewhat apropos that this could be Nicky's last game, as his team loses to a future multiple Norris Trophy winner in Shea Weber. Their play styles may be different, but their abilities will be/have been legendary. It's a passing of the torch of sorts.
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We want to wish our Ducklings with the Syracuse Crunch the very best of luck tonight with their first playoff game. A lot of the kids playing in the game could be full time Ducks next year. The Ducklings are our future! Check out our buddies at CHGA for updates and analysis.