Friday Night Game Previews

Just the 2 games for Friday night with the Redwings having already sealed their spot in the 2nd round.

Philadelphia Flyers v Buffalo Sabres

After a 2nd impressive shut out from Miller in game 4 this series heads back into Philadelphia with the Flyers needing to find the scoring touch again. The Flyers currently have 9 goals in the 4 games whilst the Sabres only have 8. It has been a low scoring series, with defence coming out on top for most of it. Expect both teams to come out hard again in game 5. There have been a high number of hits in the games so far so expect more of the same as both teams will be battling to get their noses infront.
Morrisonn and Sekera are both still doubts for the Sabres whilst the Flyers could be without Carter who is being reported as having an upper body injury by some and a knee injury by others. Chris Pronger might finally make his debut in this years playoffs after taking in a full practice session the other day, taking part in all drills. It looks like he could be fit and at least come in and play a limited role in game 5.

Miller will be the big key again for Buffalo. They need him to keep the Flyers at bay again on home ice. The Flyers will be hoping their fans can get behind them and they get the win to send them into game 6 looking to clinch the series away from home.

I reckon another tight game, possibly an OT period but the Flyers to come out on top and make use of the home ice advantage.

Anaheim Ducks v Nashville Predators

The Ducks lose Ruutu for this game but will welcome Ryan back into the line up after a 2 game suspension. The Predators will be missing Erat, who took a hit from Ruutu in game 4 that has put him out injured. Ruutu picking up a 1 game suspension hence he will be missing from tonights game.
Nashville have an awful game 5 record, having not won one at all in their history. They are 0-5 and have lost their last 2 in overtime. Im afraid i can see them going 0-6.

Rinne was awful in game 4, allowing the Ducks to get some easy goals on him and they might now have finally broken him down. Selanne has been on fire so far with 5 goals whilst Perry and Getzlaf picked up more points last time out. Perry leads the team with 2+6, Getzlaf 2+4 and Selanne 5+0. Heck, even Ryan has a couple of goals to his name from the 2 games he played at the start of the series meaning the 4 players have combined for 11 of the Ducks 15 goals so far. These 4 all getting hot has been the key to Anaheim being in this a 2-2 still. With Emery now inbetween the pipes and playing well, the Ducks should be able to use home ice advantage tonight to get their 1st lead of the series.

With Erat missing, Nashville have lost one of their scoring threats and they don't have many to start with. Fisher still leads the team with 3 goals and Kostitsyn leads the team so far with 4 assists. Nashville's scoring has been more widespread with 16 / 18 players so far having picked up points as opposed to the Ducks 12 players on points. They will need a team effort again if they are going to pick up the win in this one and they will need to be red hot in defence again. If they can tie down the Ducks attacking prowess, and especially their powerplay they might stand a chance of sneaking this. I can't see it, i think it is just an impossibe task to keep the top 4 Anaheim players quiet when they are all on a hot streak.