Midnight Wrap-Up: April 17

Tonight’s scores:
Rangers 3, Capitals 2
Predators 4, Ducks 3
Canucks 3, Blackhawks 2
Predictions record: 2-1

RLD 3 Stars of the Night:
1. Brandon Dubinsky, NYR (1 Goal, 1 Assist)… Dubinsky’s quirky goal late in the third kept the Rangers within striking distance of the top-seeded Caps.
2. Daniel Sedin, VAN (1 Goal, 1 Assist)… After a three-point effort on Friday, the league’s leading point-getter was again a big piece of the Canucks’ win.
3. Ryan Suter, NSH (2 Assists)… Suter picked up two third period assists and brought a calming presence on the Preds’ blueline tonight.

Quick observations:
- In my Morning Skate, I stated that Dubinsky needed to ‘reignite the offense.’ Well, he chipped in with two points and the game-winner in a must-win situation for the Blueshirts.
- If you take out the final two minutes of the second period, this was essentially a dominant 4-3 victory for Nashville as they outshot the Ducks 37-16. Can they put their foot on Anaheim’s throats in Game 4?
- Is this really Vancouver’s year? They have exorcised some demons early on, going up 3-0 on the defending champs. It seems they will be (very) hard to beat in a seven-game series this spring, as expected.

Highlight of the night:


Where everything stands:
East…
1) WSH vs. 8) NYR – Capitals lead, 2-1
2) PHI vs. 7) BUF – Series tied, 1-1
3) BOS vs. 6) MTL – Canadiens lead, 2-0
4) PIT vs. 5) TB – Series tied, 1-1
West…
1) VAN vs. 8) CHI – Canucks lead, 3-0
2) SJ vs. 7) LA – Series tied, 1-1
3) DET vs. 6) PHX – Red Wings lead, 2-0
4) ANA vs. 5) NSH – Predators lead, 2-1