Tonight, 2 teams have the opportunity to earn a trip to their respective conference finals. The first game features the NHL’s 2 golden boys, the second a battle in the Windy City. Both the Pens and Blackhawks can end the series tonight at home. Tonight’s live thread is brought to you by your token Pens fan and your token Canucks fan.In the first game, it’s the Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Pens find themselves in a very familiar position against the team from our Nation's capital. Once down 2 games to 0 to the Caps, they have rolled off 3 straight victories to take a 3-2 series lead. Twice before they’ve been down 2-0 to the Caps in a playoff series, twice before they’ve come back to win it.
In game 5, Ovechkin tied the game to send it to OT. This was the 2nd OT game of the series. That was nothing new for these 2 teams in the playoffs. The Pens are trying for a replay of 1996 in which they lost the first 2 games and went on to win the next 4. Game 4 of that series also went to OT…April 24, 1996 (thank you Wikipedia); it took until well after I went to bed and woke up the next morning to discover the Pens had won 3-2 in FOUR overtimes! Game 5 didn’t go quite that long, as Malkin got the winning tally thanks to some help from Washington’s own Poti who, in an attempt to break up the play, directed the puck right past goalie Varlamov.
In game 5, Ovechkin tied the game to send it to OT. This was the 2nd OT game of the series. That was nothing new for these 2 teams in the playoffs. The Pens are trying for a replay of 1996 in which they lost the first 2 games and went on to win the next 4. Game 4 of that series also went to OT…April 24, 1996 (thank you Wikipedia); it took until well after I went to bed and woke up the next morning to discover the Pens had won 3-2 in FOUR overtimes! Game 5 didn’t go quite that long, as Malkin got the winning tally thanks to some help from Washington’s own Poti who, in an attempt to break up the play, directed the puck right past goalie Varlamov.
The Pens and Caps seemingly played each other every year in the postseason during the last decade, but one team had a lopsided advantage over the other. This is the 8th time these 2 teams have met in postseason play, and for Caps fans there’s that feeling of “déjà vu all over again.” Pittsburgh has been in position to eliminate the Caps in the playoffs 6 times before…they’re a perfect 6-0. Washington has only one playoff series victory over the Pens while it seems Pittsburgh has always been the perennial kryptonite to the Capitals. Pittsburgh will look to send Ovechkin and company to the golf course with a victory tonight.
Washington @ Pittsburgh: 7:00 PM ET on VS & CBC
In the second game, it's do or die for the Canucks as well. Vancouver won game one to take the series lead 1-0, but Chicago tied it up. Vancouver won game 3 to take a 2-1 series lead, but Chicago tied it up. Then Chicago won game 5 and for the first time in the series, took the lead. Tonight the Blackhawks have the home ice advantage AND momentum. In other words, they are pumped to win it all tonight.
In the second game, it's do or die for the Canucks as well. Vancouver won game one to take the series lead 1-0, but Chicago tied it up. Vancouver won game 3 to take a 2-1 series lead, but Chicago tied it up. Then Chicago won game 5 and for the first time in the series, took the lead. Tonight the Blackhawks have the home ice advantage AND momentum. In other words, they are pumped to win it all tonight.
The Canucks, of course, want to win this one on the road and return home to Vancouver to win the series. To do that, one of their primary goals will be to cut down on the foolish penalties. In game 5, they had a tie game with only 6 minutes left in the third period but a Canucks’ penalty gave Chicago the power play and they didn’t waste it. Another Canuck penalty with less than 3 minutes to play put the Canucks on the defense, instead of the offense and their chances for a tying goal were shot. The Canucks started the series strong, winning the first game handily and it seemed to some they would walk all over the Blackhawks. Of course, anyone who has watched hockey for any length of time doubted that. Both goalies, Khabibulan and Luongo, have played magnificently. The Canucks, however, have not taken the shots on goal and at a game high of 21, they can’t score what isn’t shot.
Tonight’s game will be a tough one for the Canucks. They NEED to win. The Blackhawks, on the other hand, want desperately to get into the Conference finals, something they haven’t done since 1995. Which ever team you root for, it will be one to watch.
Vancouver @ Chicago: 9:00 PM ET on CBC & VS
Come join in the fun and talk (or vent) about tonight's games.
Vancouver @ Chicago: 9:00 PM ET on CBC & VS
Come join in the fun and talk (or vent) about tonight's games.
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