Morning Skate: April 14

The Morning After:
Yesterday’s results:
Devils 3, Panthers 2
Red Wings 3, Predators 2
Flyers 8, Penguins 5
Kings 4, Canucks 2

RLD 3 stars of the night:
1. Claude Giroux (hat trick, 6 points)
2. Sean Couturier (hat trick, assist)
3. Dustin Brown (2 goals, assist)
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Tonight’s slate:
Capitals @ Bruins, 3:00 ET, Game 2
Senators @ Rangers, 7:00, Game 2
Sharks @ Blues, 7:30, Game 2
Blackhawks @ Coyotes, 10:00, Game 2

#7 Washington Capitals @ #2 Boston Bruins
Game 2… 3:00 ET… TV: NBC, CBC

Series: 1-0 Bruins

Projected starting goaltenders:
WAS- Braden Holtby (Career playoff stats: 0-1, 0.98 GAA)
BOS- Tim Thomas (Career playoff stats: 27-17, 2.01 GAA)

Injury report:
WAS- Tom Poti (groin, out), Tomas Vokoun (groin, out), Michal Neuvirth (lower body, day-to-day)
BOS- Nathan Horton and Marc Savard (concussion, out), Adam McQuaid (upper-body, out), Tuukka Rask (abdominal/groin, out)

Game thoughts:
Game 1 was a battle of territory which led to goose eggs through 60 minutes. And while Braden Holtby wound up the losing goalie, the young netminder did everything he could to stop the Bruins' onslaught. If he can continue his steady play between the pipes, this series will be much closer than anticipated.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the ice, the Bruins need to find a way to score more goals. Their strategy of simply throwing everything on net did not phase their young opponent so now is the time to start putting on the pressure. Expect the Bruins to play more of a skilled game as they try to channel their dominance of a year ago.
Prediction: Bruins 4, Capitals 2
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#8 Ottawa Senators @ #1 New York Rangers
Game 2… 7:00 ET… TV: NBC Sports Network, CBC, Local Networks

Series: 1-0 Rangers

Projected starting goaltenders:
OTT- Craig Anderson (Career playoff stats: 2-5, 2.82 GAA)
NYR- Henrik Lundqvist (Career playoff stats: 16-20, 2.58 GAA)

Injury report:
OTT- Peter Regin (shoulder, out)
NYR- Michael Sauer (concussion, out), Steve Eminger (right ankle, day-to-day), Mats Zuccarello (left wrist, out)

Game thoughts:
During Game 1, the Rangers showed the Senators that not only could they dominate the play but they also can score in bunches. Despite allowing two late goals in their 4-2 win, this club remains confident in their win and their ability to take the second game on home ice. The Madison Square Garden crowd was simply electric and should only remain a boon to the team's chances tonight.

For the Senators to get back into this series, they need to win tonight and force the Rangers to win in Ottawa. Their attack needs to remain relentless while they limit the Blueshirts' scoring chances. On Thursday night, the Sens failed to tighten up defensively, allowing too many point-blank opportunities on Craig Anderson. That will need to change if they want to stay in this series.
Prediction: Rangers 3, Senators 2
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#7 San Jose Sharks @ #2 St. Louis Blues
Game 2… 7:30 ET… TV: CNBC, TSN, Local Networks

Series: 1-0 Sharks

Projected starting goaltenders:
SJS- Antti Niemi (Career playoff stats: 25-15, 2.84 GAA)
STL- Jaroslav Halak (Career playoff stats: 9-11, 2.46 GAA)

Injury report:
SJS- None
STL- None

Game thoughts:
Surprisingly, the San Jose Sharks took Game 1, following 83 minutes of hard-nosed hockey. A once high-octane scoring machine, the top players in San Jose were good enough to squeak out a win as they look to travel to the Western Conference Finals for the third consecutive season. And while this team only won one close game, it could be an omen that the Blues need to step up their game.

Tonight, the Blues look to cut back on their errors in order to knot the series at one. Head coach Ken Hitchcock could opt to change his lines or personnel completely since the Blues carry 16 forwards and eight defensemen. Hitchcock will do whatever it takes to win which leads me to believe the Blues come out victorious.
Prediction: Blues 4, Sharks 1
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#6 Chicago Blackhawks @ #3 Phoenix Coyotes
Game 2… 10:00 ET… TV: NBC Sports Network, TSN, Local Networks

Series: 1-0 Coyotes

Projected starting goaltenders:
CHI- Corey Crawford (Career playoff stats: 3-5, 2.31 GAA)
PHO- Mike Smith (Career playoff stats: 2-1, 1.27 GAA)

Injury report:
CHI- Steve Montador (concussion, out), Dan Carcillo (torn ACL, out)
PHO- Radim Vrbata (upper-body, day-to-day)

Game thoughts:
The Coyotes won Game 1 on the strength of their stingy defensive play. Facing the revamped Blackhawks offense which included a fully healthy Jonathan Toews, coach Dave Tippett was able to prove that his team, and system, could compete with the best the Western Conference could offer. However, the victory did not come without a loss as top-scorer Radim Vrbata left the game with an upper-body injury and is questionable to play tonight.

The key to the game, and this series, remains Mike Smith. Smith, who finished the season on a monumental run which culminated in winning the Pacific Division, remained stellar in Game 1 as he looks to prove himself as the franchise's best goalie. Expect another test tonight as the Blackhawks throw their entire arsenal at him.
Prediction: Coyotes 2, Blackhawks 0

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