Sunday Game Previews

Philadlphia Flyers v Buffalo Sabres

The main talking point on everyone's lips for this one must be just who are the Flyers going to start with in goal? They have now used 3 different netminders in 2 consecutive years and go into this game 6 needing to put in one that is going to get them a W. Bobrovsky hasn't been seen since being pulled in game 2. Leighton now has his name in the frame after Boucher was pulled in game 5. Whoever it is might just be entitled to some help from the Flyers forwards. In 2 of the games both Bobrovsky and Boucher have kept the Sabres down to 1 goal, only to lose those 2 games with the Flyers being shut out by Miller. Carter and captain Richards haven't been dominant in this series and its about time for them to up their game and start getting some points.

Buffalo will be with Pominville after he suffered a cut in game 5. This will be a big loss as he had been goo defensively and is 2nd on the Sabres scoring with 1+4. However, top line centre Derek Roy or Jocan Hecht might be ready to return to the line up to replace him. Miller will be looking for his 3rd shut out of the series, his 2nd on home ice to lead the Sabres to a 4-2 series win. Expect another close, combative, hard fought game. If the Sabres can get something going early i can see them holding on and taking out the series. For the Flyers to take this to game 7 they will need to be firing on all cylinders and can't afford for the netminder to conceed soft goals, whoever it is they decide to go with.

Anaheim Ducks v Nashville Predators

In my preview of the Western Conference i predicted a sweep for the Ducks in this series. Oh how wrong could i be. The Predators have impressed me with their ability to get scoring from almost all their team. No one players has led the way for them, they have all contributed and they really do play as a unit. Erat missed game 5 and is listed as day to day still but there are no other injury worries for the Predators. This series has produced goals in every game so if Nashville can get a big performance from Rinne on home ice they might just have a chance of sealing this in 6.

Anaheim were 30 seconds from being the team 3-2 up. They must be hurting at the minute and will want their revenge later today. Like Chicago and Tampa Bay, Anaheim have forwards with the ability to blow teams out if all of them click. Will they be able to produce a performace similar to take this to a game 7 and swing the series back into their favour? Ruutu is available after suspension if they wish to use him to get under the Predators skin but i can see the Ducks wanting to limit any powerplay time they give Nashville so expect him to remain out of the line up. If the Ducks get some substantial powerplay times themselves then expect to see high numbers on the scoreboard. They are current running at 35% on the PP.

I think this series has a game 7 in it. As a neutral, i think we deserve one.

Vancouver Canucks v Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago are awful. Vancouver are playing the best hockey of the playoffs, full of confidence and will be comfortably be in round 2. Those were my thoughts after the Canucks had taken a 3-0 series lead a week ago. All of a sudden Vancouver are awful, Chicago are playing the best hockey of the playoffs, full of confidence and have created some momentum that could ultimately put them into round 2. If the Chicago crowd are anything like they were in game 4 it will be like having a 6th player on the ice for the home team.

The Blackhawks have outscored the Canucks 12-2 in the last 2 games and will be looking for more goals to see off Vancouver again. Duncan Keith is leading the team from the D with 4 goals and 6 assists, Sharp and Hossa are now in amongst the leading goal scorers, Kane is getting assists. Chicago just need Toews to get going in game 6 and this will be heading back to Vancouver for that game 7.

I have no idea what the Canucks must be thinking and talking about in their dressing room. Luongo has now been pulled 2 games in a row. The Sedin's, who were brilliant during the first 3 games have dissapeared since. The Kesler/Samuelsson/Higgins line which played well isn't getting into the game, the 3rd and 4th lines haven't produced either. Luongo will be back to start the game and he needs a really big performance to get some confidence back. He will need to make saves early. If Chicago get on top in this one the heads will drop and they players will be thinking "here we go again".

The winner of this one will be whoever can jump out into a lead. If Chicago can there just won't be a way back for Vancouver. If the Canucks can get a couple in front they will not want to let Chicago back in again.