Morning Skate: Playoff Edition (5/4)

The Morning After:
My 3 stars from last night:
1. Cam Ward (35 saves, shutout)
‘Wardo’ was a brick wall in net for the ‘Canes in their big win over Boston.
2. Jonas Hiller (59 saves, 3 GA)
Hiller saved his team in periods 3-5 where the Ducks were outshot big time.
3. Ryan Getzlaf (1 goals, 2 assists)
Every time I watch him, I’m more impressed; yesterday was no exception.
Best atmosphere: Detroit
It was a great atmosphere at the Joe like always.
‘RLD Game-Changing Performance’ of the night:
Matt Cullen… Carolina held a 1-0 lead, but Boston was going to the power play to try to tie the game at 1. But Cullen one-timed a pass from Chad LaRose past Thomas for a gigantic short-handed goal. That one seemed to take the air out of the crowd, and the ‘Canes never looked back.
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Tonight’s Slate:
Penguins @ Capitals, Game 2, 7:00 ET

Game of the Night:
4) Pittsburgh Penguins @ 2) Washington Capitals
Game 2, 7:00 ET… TV: VERSUS, CBC, Local Networks

Players to watch:
PIT- Evgeni Malkin
I really think ‘Geno needs to step up his game after Saturday’s performance.
WSH- Nicklas Backstrom
‘Backs’ had 2 assists in Game 1, and he’s my x-factor for the Caps in this series.

Starting Goaltenders:
PIT- Marc-Andre Fleury (Playoff stats: 4-3, 2.48 GAA)
WSH- Simeon Varlamov (Playoff stats: 5-2, 1.29 GAA)

Injury Report:
PIT- Mike Zigomanis (undisclosed, out)
WSH- Jeff Schultz (upper body, doubtful), Quintin Laing (spleen, out), Brent Johnson (hip, out)

Game Thoughts:
Well, I picked the Pens to win this series in 5… so of course I’m picking Pittsburgh tonight. Fleury has to be sharper, though. And I felt the Pens’ grind line were outplayed by Washington’s; that, too, must change tonight. In the end, I think the Pens will take this series back to the Igloo knotted at 1. They can also continue the trend of the road teams winning this weekend…

Prediction: Penguins 3, Capitals 2 (OT)