Everything went to plan last night until the last minute of the second period when the Kings were able to score to cut the Blackhawks lead in half. Then in the third period the Kings just turned it up and capitalized on their chances before really putting Chicago away when they were forced to press late in the game. That’s the first time the Blackhawks have lost at home this playoffs and I think it will be difficult for them in LA now that the Kings have momentum.
2014 NHL Playoff Record: 19-16 for +2.21 units.
Montreal Canadiens @ New York Rangers
The Habs go to New York for a must win game tonight. They are coming right back with Dustin Tokarski in net, which I think is the right move after he played fairly well in game 2 despite the loss. The strange thing is that if they lose this game you will likely see Budaj be put right into the fire in an elimination game and be told to win 4 in a row to get to the Cup Finals.
The Rangers do seem to have the Canadiens number so far in this series and they are generating a lot of offensive chances around the Montreal goal. Combine this with the fact that Henrik Lundqvist is seeing the puck like a beach ball and you have to think it will be difficult for the Habs to come back in this series.
An interesting stat is that the Rangers are now 5-0 since Martin St. Louis’ mother passed away. They were down 3-1 in the Pittsburgh series when the news broke, but St. Louis decided to still play in game 5. He has really become the Rangers best player and the team is rallying together right now and winning hockey games. The way they are playing I don’t see that stopping tonight.
Play: Rangers 1.61 (SportsInteraction.com)
Tagged with: Montreal Canadiens • New York Rangers • NHL Playoffs