Daily Picks: Drama on tap in Sens-Canadiens?
Montreal and Ottawa brought the drama in Game 1, but what will Game 2 hold? (USATSI)
Welcome to the Stanley Cup Playoffs Daily Picks, where CBS hockey writers Chris Peters and Adam Gretz get you ready for every game every day of the postseason and share their predictions for each.
Ottawa Senators at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m. ET, CNBC
Series: Montreal leads 1-0
It only took one game for the Ottawa-Montreal series to become the postseason’s most dramatic. The slash from P.K. Subban that left Mark Stone with a fractured wrist was all anyone could talk about in the aftermath of the Canadiens’ 4-3 win over the Senators in Game 1. Ottawa wanted a suspension for Subban, which didn’t come, and there seemed to be plenty of threats of retaliation on Subban and other Montreal stars.
What the Sens really need to focus on is making sure they don’t leave Montreal in a 2-0 series hole. The Subban slash and postgame comments overshadowed the fact that Ottawa let that game get away in the second period with some rough goaltending from Andrew Hammond and disjointed play in that wild middle frame. If that one play by Subban ends up lingering, it could take the Sens’ focus away from the task at hand. Winning is the best revenge.
Game 2 may also mark the return of Max Pacioretty, who took contact in practice Tuesday. If he’s able to go and can be effective, Montreal is a heck of a lot more dangerous.
Pick: Canadiens 3, Senators 2
New York Islanders at Washington Capitals, 7 p.m. ET, NBCSN
Series: New York leads 1-0
Now that each series has completed one game, was there a worse performance in any of the Game 1s than Washington’s? They had the largest margin of defeat and just didn’t have it against the motivated Islanders. That has to change and in a hurry if the Caps are going to get back on track. Perhaps the 4-1 loss was a wakeup call.
The Islanders backed into the playoffs a bit with some poor play down the stretch. They showed now lingering effects of that. Jaroslav Halak was strong between the pipes and the club took advantage of the opportunities they were given by a shaky Braden Holtby and a Caps team that was unusually loose defensively. They should expect some desperation in Washington’s game on home ice, which may end up being the difference in this one.
Pick: Capitals 4, Islanders 3
Chicago Blackhawks at Nashville Predators, 9:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN
Series: Chicago leads 1-0
After a thrilling Game 1 between these two Central Division foes, the Predators have to mentally recover from coughing up a 3-0 lead before losing in two overtimes. Where Nashville can feel a bit better is that it outshot Chicago with 54 of their 84 total shot attempts ending up on net. If not for Blackhawks backup Scott Darling coming in to shut the door in relief, they could have easily waltzed out with a Game 1 win. Now they desperately need one in Game 2.
The Blackhawks will go back to Corey Crawford between the pipes despite the early Game 1 hook after allowing three goals in the first period. Though Darling was sensational in his playoff debut, Crawford has more experience and a much longer track record. He obviously has to be much, much better in Game 2 if the Blackhawks are to go up 2-0 on the Predators.
The Predators may be without Mike Fisher, who suffered a lower-body injury in Game 1, which hurts their depth down the middle. Going down 2-0 with the series set to head back to Chicago could be curtains for the Preds. Expect their very best effort Friday night and another great game.
Pick: Predators 3, Blackhawks 2
Calgary Flames at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m. ET, CNBC
Series: Calgary leads 1-0
The Flames have adopted the hashtag #NeverQuit for the Stanley Cup playoffs. It’s a little funny because that generally assumes that they’re often going to be playing from behind, right? Well, that was the case in Game 1 and wouldn’t you know it? Calgary scored twice in the third period, including Kris Russell’s winner with 30 seconds to play. They never quit on the game and they won.
The Canucks have to adopt a similar mentality. Vancouver won the possession battle but not by a significant margin against a team that hasn’t been great in possession all season. Neither team’s top lines factored into the scoring in Game 1, which is something Vancouver in particular has to change. If the Canucks can get the Sedins rolling, their chances of winning Game 2 increase dramatically.
Coming into the playoffs this looked like one of the more evenly matched series. The Flames are going to continually be a pain in the Canucks’ side because of how well they can play in the third period and their comfort with playing from behind. If Vancouver lets Calgary be the better team in the third again, it could be heading to the Saddledome in a 2-0 hole.
Pick: Flames 3, Canucks 1
Three stars
1. P.K. Subban, Montreal Canadiens: After getting tossed from Game 1 for his slash on Stone and all of the Senators gunning for him, this has the recipe of that game where Subban just goes off. Recall last year’s series with Boston. The more the Bruins went after Subban, the better he played. Though he played just 9:05 in Game 1 against the Senators, Subban left with two assists. Expect him to be a major factor in Game 2.
2. Sam Bennett, Calgary Flames: Though he has played just two NHL games, Bennett has already been a factor in both. The team’s pick at fourth overall in the 2014 was excellent in his postseason debut and earned praise from head coach Bob Hartley. Bennett assisted on the winning goal and may only get better as the postseason wears on.
3. Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals: After getting skunked on eight shots on goal in Game 1 and finishing a minus-2, we’ll find out if frustration gets the better of Ovechkin or if it fuels him. The league’s leading goal scorer has to figure prominently in Game 2 to ensure his club doesn’t fall into a 2-0 hole before heading back to Long Island.
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