Last night went exactly to plan with the Ottawa Senators and Washington Capitals each winning their opening games. The Senators game was pretty crazy and all anyone was talking about afterwards was the Gryba hit on Lars Eller and whether it was suspendable. Most agree that it was a clean hit, so I don’t know why nobody is talking about the match penalty call on the ice that almost cost the Senators the game. Anyways, we got the two wins and are back on track in these playoffs.
Regular Season Record: 68-59 for +11.33 units.
Playoff Record: 2-4 for -1.97 units.
Ottawa Senators @ Montreal Canadiens
The Sens and Habs are right back at it tonight with back to back games to start the series. There will already be bad blood between these two sides after the Gryba and Eller incident and I expect Gryba to be back in the lineup tonight as there is no way that was a suspendable hit. Craig Anderson did have to see 50 shots last night so it will be interesting to see if he will be tired heading into this one, but lets be honest….it’s the playoffs, he’ll be ready to go. Price is the real question mark as he let a few weak ones in yesterday, although he did also make some big saves. I like the Senators more and more as this series wears on because they were the more physical team last night and that could play into their hands tonight as well as in the future. As dogs again I like the Sens.
Play: Senators +130 (SportsInteraction.com)
San Jose Sharks @ Vancouver Canucks
The Sharks could be without forward Martin Havlat tonight and that could cause some problems. That said they outplayed the Canucks last game and Niemi played some great hockey. I look for more of the same tonight and expect the Sharks to find a way to win again on the road, which could spell the end for the Canucks. Vancouver has to find a way to generate offense, but the Sharks are one of the best defensive teams in the league and they will smother the Sedins. The Canucks just don’t have the secondary scoring that they used to and that could hurt them in this one.
Play: Sharks +125 (5Dimes.eu)
Tagged with: Montreal Canadiens • NHL Playoffs • Ottawa Senators • San Jose Sharks • Vancouver Canucks