San Jose Sharks v Detroit Redwings
For Detroit now is the time to start getting results. They need to win 4 straight against the Sharks to advance and that is going to be a tough feat against a team that now has the better of the 11 out of the last 13.
The Redwings improved in game 3 but still managed to go down to another overtime winner from San Jose who have become the masters of winning in the extra period this playoffs. What can Detroit do to get themselves back into this series? Well, they need to get scoring from the likes of Bertuzzi, Franzen and Cleary who all played big parts in seeing off the Coyotes yet have failed to register so far against the Sharks. Zetterberg, Datsyuk and Lidstrom are carrying the Redwings scoring so far with most of it coming on the powerplay. They need to get a good start in this game and get their 5 on 5 play going. If they can get into a 2 goal lead they should take this series back to San Jose.
The Sharks will be looking to end the series quickly and are always going to be dangerous going forward. Niemi has been a lot better this series than he was against L.A and is looking more like the Stanley Cup winning netminder he was last year. This is good news for the Sharks and they will want him to keep up the form he has had in the series.
Neither team has an injury doubts for this game and i expect to see the same lineups as last time out, meaning no place still for Mike Modano in Detroit's line up.
If the game goes into the last 5 minutes tied or goes into another extra period then don't be suprised if San Jose finish this series tonight. They have a knack of getting late winners and have become masters of it. They seem to be able to find something out of nothing and win the tight games so Detroit need to be aware and try to get a good advantage before leaving it too late.
Philadelphia Flyers v Boston Bruins
Yet again on Wednesday night Boucher was chased from the Flyers goal in the 2nd period as Boston took a 4-0 lead in the game. They went on to win it 5-1 and now find themselves with a 3-0 series lead against Philadelphia. Sound Familiar? Surely Boston can't blow it for the 2nd year running and allow the Flyers back into this one? They have been comprehensive in 2 of the 3 games so far with 7-3 and 5-1 blowouts and snook a 3-2 win in game 2. If Boston can get a lead in this game i can't see them losing it. It hurt to much last year and this is the redemption they were seeking. They haven't lost a game in the playoffs when getting a lead and the Flyers have only managed to win 1 when conceeding first.
For the Flyers it will be another tough decision of who to start with in net. Surely Boucher being chased twice in the series so far means Bobrovsky will get his chance to start? I really don' t think it matters as both have been as bad as each other and the Flyers must rely on their defence improving and either denying Boston shots or blocking them and making sure rebounds are cleared. They must start making smart plays to clear the zone and cut out any errors that might give Boston good scoring opportunities. If they can do this then they will give themselves a chance. Philadelphia have taken plenty of shots going forward, they will be hoping Thomas has a couple of off nights himself so they can get back into the series but with the form he is on i just can't see that happening.
Both teams could be missing a players as McQuaid for Boston and Pronger for Philadelphia are likely to be missing again, impacting the Flyers more as Pronger is a top defenceman when fit.
We could have the Eastern Conference Final match up come the end of this one, or we could be at the start of another miracolous come back.
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