Mar 30 2009
Tuesday and Wednesday - a couple of fantastic days to watch hockey!
Plenty of intriguing games to watch the next couple of days………..
TUESDAY:
Chicago at Montreal - The Canadiens try to stave off the Panthers and Sabres, while Chicago continues to cling for dear life to the 4-spot in the West to maintain home-ice advantage in the first round. Hawks win this one, continuing to push the Habs toward a total collapse.
Ottawa at Florida - The surging Senators head to Florida for a game that is a must win for the Panthers if they want to keep their chances alive. Florida has won two straight after a three game slide that threatened to put them out of the race, but I don’t think they make it three in a row - Ottawa wins.
Anaheim at Edmonton - Two of the five teams battling for the last two spots in the West race hook up here. The Ducks have been hot, winning 7 of their last 9 to pull themselves back into the race, while Edmonton has faded, losing 6 of 10 to fall to 10th place. The Oilers have had success against the Ducks this season, and their 1 win out of the last 5 games was at Anaheim last week. Oilers win this one, and the mess out West gets even messier.
Nashville at Columbus - Two teams jockeying for positions that no one expected them to be in a couple of months ago, with the Jackets hanging on to the 6 spot, and Nashville right on their heels in 7th. Neither team can rest, because 8-9-10-11 are all within striking distance. Give this one to the Blue Jackets, since all four games in the season series so far have been won by the home team.
WEDNESDAY:
Buffalo at Atlanta - The Sabres have won three straight, and take their act down to Atlanta for a game against the lowly Thrashers. However, the Thrashers have given Buffalo fits this season, winning all three games between the squads to date, albeit each one in a shootout. I like the game the Sabres played on the road against Montreal on Saturday night - look for a similar game, with a victory the result - desperation will overcome the seemingly bad matchup.
St. Louis at Chicago - Division rivals clash as the surprising Blues try to crash the playoff party. The Blues have won five straight, and 13 out of their last 20 to pull into the 8 spot in the West race. They’ve also gone 4-1 against the Hawks this season, including 2-0 in Chicago. Combine that with the fact that Chicago will be in game 2 of a back-to-back, and I think the Hawks are in for a long night, and the Blues step a bit closer to making the playoffs.
