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Detroit Red Wings vs. Colorado Avalanche: NHL Playoffs & Predictions

April 24th, 2008 | By InGameNow Posted in NHL

#1 Detroit Red Wings vs. #6 Colorado Avalanche

In the words of Yogi Berra, “This is like déjà vu all over again.” The Avalanche are traveling to Detroit with hopes of advancing to the Western Conference Championship Series.

These teams definitely have history, facing off 5 times in the playoffs from 1996 to 2002. The last meeting had the Red Wings coming back from a 3-2 deficit to win the series and, eventually, the Stanley Cup. Even though many names have changed, Forsberg, Sakic and Foote are still going to be lining up against Draper and McCarty. One notable missing name is that of Claude Lemieux will not be missed by Kris Draper, who was the recipient of a blind-sided check that resulted in a broken nose and jaw.

The new names may be the difference, however, with Pavel Datsyuk, who was just a rookie the last time these two teams met in the playoffs, leading the potent Red Wing offense. He will be going up against Jose Theodore who has allowed an average of only 1.88 goals in 6 playoff games.

Prediction: In a battle of 2 equally matched teams, the creativeness of Peter Forsberg will give the edge to Colorado – Avalanche advance in 7 games.

Follow the action of the series and contribute on InGameNow:

GAME 1: AVALANCHE @ RED WINGS 4/24/08 4:30PM PST
GAME 2: AVALANCHE @ RED WINGS 4/26/08 12:00PM PST
GAME 3: RED WINGS @ AVALANCHE 4/29/08 7:00PM PST
GAME 4: RED WINGS @ AVALANCHE 5/1/08 7:00PM PST
GAME 5: AVALANCHE @ RED WINGS 5/3/08 10:00AM PST
GAME 6: RED WINGS @ AVALANCHE 5/5/08 7:00PM PST
GAME 7: AVALANCHE @ RED WINGS 5/7/08 TBD

Montreal Canadiens vs. Philadelphia Flyers - NHL Playoffs & Predictions

April 24th, 2008 | By InGameNow Posted in NHL

#1 Montreal Canadiens vs. #6 Philadelphia Flyers

If going 7 games to beat the #3 seed Capitals was not enough, now the Flyers have to go against the speed of the Canadien offense and ice-coldness of rookie goalie Carey Price.

The Canadiens didn’t have the easiest time making into the second round, either. They had to compete against an energized Bruins team who took the #1 team in the Eastern Conference to a deciding game 7. Daniel Briere could have come home last off-season, however, he chose to sign with the Flyers, and now, the leading scorer in the playoffs does return as the enemy.

The Flyers also are bringing Vaclav Propal and Mike Richards to Montreal to face Alexei Kovalev and the rest of the speedy Canadiens. The X-Factor is going to be whether or not rookie Carey Price can keep his cool demeanor as the Canadiens travel deeper into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Prediction: Young Mr. Price, supported by the Canadiens’ speedy front lines, will prove to hold strong and put the Flyers to rest after 6 games.

Follow the action of the series and contribute on InGameNow:

GAME 1: FLYERS @ CANADIENS 4/24/08 4:00PM PST
GAME 2: FLYERS @ CANADIENS 4/26/08 4:00PM PST
GAME 3: CANADIENS @ FLYERS 4/28/08 4:00PM PST
GAME 4: CANADIENS @ FLYERS 4/30/08 4:00PM PST
GAME 5: FLYERS @ CANADIENS 5/3/08 4:00PM PST
GAME 6: CANADIENS @ FLYERS 5/4/08 4:00PM PST
GAME 7: FLYERS @ CANADIENS 5/6/08 4:00PM PST

San Jose Sharks vs. Calgary Flames - NHL Playoffs & Predictions

April 23rd, 2008 | By InGameNow Posted in NHL

#2 San Jose Sharks vs. #7 Calgary Flames

The Sharks are 1 game away from advancing to the 2nd round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. And while Sharks Nation will be in full force, the Flames have proven to be a hard out.

In a series that features a #2 against a #7 seed, it has been surprisingly evenly matched. Both teams have a 3-2 victory on the road and 4-3 and 2-0 wins at home. The Sharks seemed to be gaining momentum with their back-to-back wins in Game 4 and 5, only to be shutout by Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff in Game 6. The scoring leaders of the series are Jarome Iginla of the Flames with 3 goals and 5 assists and Shark Ryane Clowe (4 goals and 4 assists).

Both teams have proven to be capable of playing anyway necessary to win, either through fast paced offense or hard-hitting defense.

Prediction: Sharks Nation will be out in force on Tuesday night and may just be the deciding factor – Sharks win Game 7, but it will be close.

Follow the action in Game 7 and contribute on InGameNow:

GAME 1: FLAMES 3 @ SHARKS 2 FINAL
GAME 2: FLAMES 0 @ SHARKS 2 FINAL
GAME 3: SHARKS 3 @ FLAMES 4 FINAL
GAME 4: SHARKS 3 @ FLAMES 2 FINAL
GAME 5: FLAMES 3 @ SHARKS 4 FINAL
GAME 6: SHARKS 0 @ FLAMES 2 FINAL
GAME 7: FLAMES @ SHARKS TUES 7PM PST

Detroit Red Wings vs. Nashville Predators - NHL Playoffs

April 21st, 2008 | By InGameNow Posted in NHL

#1 Detroit Red Wings vs. #8 Nashville Predators

The day after one 8th seed forced a deciding 7th game, the Red Wings made sure that the Predators did not put them in the same position. The Red Wings were not very gracious guests in Nashville, as they closed the book on this series with a goal early in the 3rd period – followed by an open net goal as time ran out on the Predators.

The first 5 games were won by the home team, but finally the Red Wings wore down Predator goalie Dan Ellis, who fought admirably recording nearly 40 saves per game. In the end, the experience and tenacity of the Red Wings won out with Dominic Hasek and Chris Osgood combining to allow only 4 goals in Detroit’s 4 wins, including Osgood’s shutout in Game 6.

No one gave the Predators a chance to continue on, but they went blade-to-blade with the President’s Trophy winners – they will be back next year – and the Red Wings will be on the ice next week.

GAME 1: PREDATORS 1 @ RED WINGS 3 FINAL
GAME 2: PREDATORS 2 @ RED WINGS 4 FINAL
GAME 3: RED WINGS 3 @ PREDATORS 5 FINAL
GAME 4: RED WINGS 2 @ PREDATORS 3 FINAL
GAME 5: PREDATORS 1 @ RED WINGS 2 FINAL
GAME 6: RED WINGS 3 @ PREDATORS 0 FINAL

Follow the Red Wings into the second round and contribute on InGameNow.

Minnesota Wild vs. Colorado Avalanche - NHL Playoffs

April 20th, 2008 | By InGameNow Posted in NHL

#3 Minnesota Wild vs. #6 Colorado Avalanche

Two months ago, the Avalanche brought back some old faces, and now after winning the series against the Wild, they are in a familiar position: the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

After splitting the first 4 games of the series, the Avalanche won Game 5 in Minnesota and were able to celebrate their advancement in front of their home-ice fans. Goalie Jose Theodore, who was streaky to say the least all season, played like a wall in front of the net allowing 1.88 GAA during the series. This included a 34 save performance in the clinching Game 6. The offense was led by veterans Joe Sakic (6 pts), Andrew Brunette (5 pts), and Peter Forsberg (5 pts). Another returning player, Adam Foote has added experience and aggressiveness that the defense had been lacking previously.

The Wild played well, but in the end those players from the Avalanche’s glory years brought the team one step closer to present glory.

GAME 1: AVALANCHE 3 @ WILD 2 FINAL
GAME 2: AVALANCHE 2 @ WILD 3 FINAL
GAME 3: WILD 3 @ AVALANCHE 2 FINAL
GAME 4: WILD 1 @ AVALANCHE 5 FINAL
GAME 5: AVALANCHE 3 @ WILD 2 FINAL
GAME 6: WILD 1 @ AVALANCHE 2 FINAL

Follow the Avalanche into the second round and contribute on InGameNow.

Montreal Canadiens vs. Boston Bruins - NHL Playoffs & Predictions

April 20th, 2008 | By InGameNow Posted in NHL

#1 Montreal Canadiens vs. #8 Boston Bruins

The 8th seed beating the #1 is not quite as rare in hockey as it is in other sports, however, Saturday’s game showed the true grit of the Bruins. Facing elimination, the Bruins kept attacking the Canadiens, eventually prevailing on great piece of puck work by Marco Sturm, who has scored 2 goals in as many games.

In a series that, seemingly, should have ended as it began: with the Canadiens dominating; the Bruins have pulled even, forcing a deciding Game 7. The first 5 periods of the series were dominated by the Canadiens, however, the Bruins showed life in the 3rd period of Game 2 forcing an OT, only to lose 2:30 into it. Games 3 and 4, in Boston, were split, setting up the clinching victory for the Canadiens in Montreal. However, the Bruin offense woke up and dominated in Game 5, followed by a thrilling performance by both offenses in Game 6, culminating in Sturm’s winning goal with 2:37 left.

Both teams have had new heroes each game, so it should be fun watching to see who will be the stars of Game 7.

Prediction: It is tough to bet against the Bruins after their performance in the last two games, however, it may be even tougher to ask for such a performance for the third straight game – Canadiens win the 7th and clinching game.

Follow the remainder of the series and contribute on InGameNow:

GAME 1: BRUINS 1 @ CANADIENS 4 FINAL
GAME 2: BRUINS 2 @ CANADIENS 3 FINAL
GAME 3: CANADIENS 1 @ BRUINS 2 FINAL
GAME 4: CANADIENS 1 @ BRUINS 0 FINAL
GAME 5: BRUINS 5 @ CANADIENS 1 FINAL
GAME 6: CANADIENS 4 @ BRUINS 5 FINAL
GAME 7: BRUINS @ CANADIENS MON 4PM PST