Stanley Cup Playoffs Daily Picks: Islanders return home for Game 3 – CBSSports.com
The last postseason in Nassau Coliseum begins today with Game 3 between Islanders and Caps. (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.
Washington Capitals at New York Islanders, noon ET, NBC
Series: Tied 1-1
After earning a split in the opening two games of the first-round series, the Islanders will head back to begin the last postseason at Nassau Coliseum. Expect an electric atmosphere as Islanders fans look to give a barn that has seen some great moments in franchise history a fitting party to close it down. The Islanders are going to have to take care of business on the ice though and it will be a little tougher coming off a rough loss in Game 2.
The Capitals, despite missing No. 1 goalie Braden Holtby, managed to earn a 4-3 win after scoring three unanswered goals over the final 24 minutes of the game. Holtby is expected to be back for Game 3 after practicing Saturday.
The Isles are going to have a very loud building on their side and the opportunity to take the series lead in their first game back on Long Island. That might be enough to help carry them through in this crucial game. Pick: Islanders 4, Capitals 2
Nashville Predators at Chicago Blackhawks, Game 3, 3 p.m. ET, NBC
Series: Tied 1-1
After a rousing 6-2 win over the Blackhawks in Game 2, the Predators can have a whole bunch of confidence as they go into the United Center on Sunday afternoon. They’ll be a bit shorthanded as top defenseman Shea Weber is out and veteran center Mike Fisher may not be available. The Preds didn’t need them to earn that Game 2 win, but as the series shifts to Chicago, it’s a different situation.
The Blackhawks will turn to Chicago-area native Scott Darling in net after Corey Crawford’s dreadful Game 2 performance and getting yanked in Game 1. Darling made 42 saves in relief of Crawford to get the win in Game 1.
Beyond the goaltending situation, Chicago has some notable deficiencies on defense and have had to play Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Johnny Oduya a heck of a lot more than they would probably prefer. The Blackhawks may make some minor lineup changes to help address that, and they still have Antoine Vermette as a possibility up front. He has not yet played in this series.
With a tie series, the Predators being shorthanded and the Blackhawks getting to play in the more comfortable confines of the United Center, Chicago has a good shot at taking the 2-1 advantage in this series. Pick: Blackhawks 3, Predators 1
Montreal Canadiens at Ottawa Senators, Game 3, 7 p.m. ET, NBCSN
Series: Montreal leads 2-0
The Canadiens have a good opportunity to go for the throat in this series as they head into Ottawa up 2-0 after back-to-back wins in incredibly tight contests. From the comeback effort in Game 1 to squeaking past Ottawa in overtime in Game 2, the Habs have been able to close.
The Senators, meanwhile, have some questions heading into Game 1. Dave Cameron has not yet officially named a Game 3 starter in net as Andrew Hammond has looked a bit shaky through his first two playoff games. The team could turn to veteran Craig Anderson as the series shifts to home ice, especially as Hammond actually posted better numbers on the road this season.
What Ottawa has shown this season is that it’s really never out of it. Having finished the season with 21 wins in 27 games, the Senators are capable of going on a run. That’s what Montreal has to be aware of as it tries to take full control of the series.
With the Senators’ backs against the wall, look for them to respond on home ice. Pick: Senators 3, Canadiens 2 (overtime)
Vancouver Canucks at Calgary Flames, Game 3, 10 p.m. ET, NBCSN
Series: Tied 1-1
After emotions boiled over at the end of Game 2, leading to over 100 penalty minutes in the last two minutes of the game and a $50,000 fine for Flames head coach Bob Hartley, expect a spirited Game 3. I don’t think we’ll see another line brawl as taking the series lead is on the line.
The Flames are headed back to the Saddledome, which hasn’t seen a playoff game since 2009. The atmosphere should be absolutely electric, which only ratchets up the potential for drama. The Calgary players are going to have to get their emotions in check pretty quick as the home crowd looks to give them a boost.
After earning a 4-1 win in Game 2, the Canucks have to try to sustain the momentum. Losing Game 1 in crushing fashion had no lingering effects on a veteran-filled team that showed they know what they’re doing in the playoffs.
After getting the hook in Game 2, Jonas Hiller will be back between the pipes for the Flames. Eddie Lack is expected to continue in his role as the Canucks No. 1 as well, as he has performed quite well in his postseason debut.
Expect another tight, physical game in this one, but also look for the veteran Canucks to be unfazed by it. Pick: Canucks 3, Flames 1
Three stars
1. Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks: Having not played a game on United Center ice since getting injured there Feb. 24, expect “Showtime” to be active in Game 3. Kane scored a goal in Game 2 and had two assists in Game 1. During his 20-point postseason last year, 13 of Kane’s points were recorded on home ice.
2. John Tavares, New York Islanders: In an emotional atmosphere, you have to look at a team’s leader to help set the tone for his club. With the charged crowd in the Coliseum, Tavares has to make a statement in Game 3. He has two assists in the series, but has managed only two shots on goal. This has to be his best game yet.
3. Eddie Lack, Vancouver Canucks: With 50 saves on 53 shots through the first two games, Lack has been solid for the Canucks in this series. Considering the Flames being a low-event team that won’t be peppering him with shots, he needs to be sharp for his club to pull out a win on the road and help turn the series a bit. In 21 road games this season, Lack had a 8-6-2 record with a .920 save percentage.
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