Morning Skate: May 6

The Morning After:

Yesterday’s results:

Capitals 3, Rangers 2

RLD 3 stars of the night:

1. Mike Green (GWG)

2. Artem Anisimov (1 goal, 1 assist)

3. Nicklas Backstrom (1 goal)

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Tonight’s slate:

Blues @ Kings, 3:00 ET, Game 4
Flyers @ Devils, 7:30 ET, Game 4

#2 St. Louis Blues @ #8 Los Angeles Kings

Game 4… 3:00 ET… TV: NBC, TSN

Series: 3-0 Kings

Projected starting goaltenders:

STL-    Brian Elliott (Playoff stats: 3-3, 2.43 GAA)

LAK-    Jonathan Quick (Playoff stats: 7-1, 1.62 GAA)

Injury report:

STL-    Jaroslav Halak (wrist, out)

LAK-    Simon Gagne (concussion, out), Scott Parse (hip, out)

Game thoughts:

Can the LA Kings pull off a sweep of the second-seeded Blues? The Kings have simply dominated over the last two games and have a chance to advance to the Conference Finals with a win on home ice. But to pull off this upset, they will need to continue to outplay the Blues at their own game. 


On the other side of the ice, St. Louis has struggled in all facets. They are allowing too many scoring opportunities while failing to put anything substantial past Jonathan Quick. It will take a 60 minute effort, or more, to at least get back into the series. 
Prediction: Kings 2, Blues 1 (OT)


#4 Philadelphia Flyers @ #6 New Jersey Devils

Game 4… 7:30 ET… TV: NBC Sports Network, CBC

Series: 2-1 Devils

Projected starting goaltenders:

PHI-   Ilya Bryzgalov (Playoff stats: 5-4, 3.54 GAA)

NJD-   Martin Brodeur (Playoff stats: 6-3, 2.41 GAA)

Injury report:

PHI-    Tom Sestito (groin, out), Marc-Andre Bourdon (concussion, out), Andrej Meszaros (back, out)

NJD-    Jacob Josefson (wrist, out), Henrik Tallinder (blood clot, out)   

Game thoughts:

In tonight's prime-time spot we have two divisional rivals intent on ripping each other apart. But this series has been anything but expected. Instead of the Flyers simply dominating offensively, it has been an aggressive Devils attack that is paying dividends. As has been the case all season, the Flyers need more defense and better goaltending to advance. 


With the series in New Jersey, the Devils have the opportunity to take a 3-1 lead back to Philadelphia. They will expect the most out of Ilya Kovalchuk, Patrik Elias, and Zach Parise while hoping for yet another unexpected playoff hero to emerge. Considering their current success, the Devils might be able to pull off an upset. 
Prediction: Devils 3, Flyers 2

Video of the day:

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