Tuesday, March 29, 2011

NHL Tuesday Morning Review and Preview

There were only two games in the NHL last night and both had Western Conference playoff implications. Tonight's eleven games will more than make up for last night's dearth of games.

The big match on Monday was the first of three remaining meetings between Chicago and Detroit where the Hawks won 3-2 in overtime on Marion Hossa's goal 51 seconds into the extra period. Going in to the game, all eyes were on Wings goalie Joey MacDonald who was filling in for the injured Jimmy Howard. MacDonald played well enough to win on most nights as he was peppered with 41 shots.

Forty year old Teemu Selanne continued his amazing recent run with a hat trick and two assists against the Avalanche in the Ducks 5-4 win in Anaheim. The Ducks held a 2-0 lead at the end of the opening period but did not have staying power to compete with the Ducks who have been playing like a team on a mission. Corey Perry did not make the scorecard after his second star of the week honors.

Tonight's Games...

Buffalo at Toronto (6:00 CDT) Toronto would be withing a point of mathematical elimination with a regulation loss tonight.

Philadelphia at Pittsburgh (6:00) The Pens could tie the Flyers with 100 points with a regulation win but Philadelphia would still have a game in hand.

Carolina at Washington (6:00) This is a must win for the Canes who are five points out of eight place with seven games to go. The Caps could get to 100 points with a win.

Florida at Columbus (6:00) Scott Arniel can't decide who to punish by making them play, the vets or the rookies.

Chicago at Boston (6:30 Versus) This is a big one as Chicago is coming off last night's win still trying to secure a playoff position and possible first round home ice advantage.

Atlanta at Montreal (6:30) The Habs are trying to hold off the Rangers for the sixth spot in the East while the Thrashers are close to mathematical elimination.

Ottawa at Tampa Bay (6:30) The Lightning need to right their ship against the hard charging Senators.

Minnesota st St Louis (7:00) It's a battle for eleventh place and both teams could be eliminated if Chicago wins in Boston.

Vancouver at Nashville (7:00) This is the game of the night in the West with the conference's two hottest teams facing off in Music City (Canucks 9-1, Preds 8-1-1).

Los Angeles at Edmonton (8:30) The injury decimated Kings are 7-1-2 in their last ten and hope to take advantage of the Oilers who have been horrible lately (1-6-3).

Dallas at Phoenix (9:00) This is the second game on the tenth place Stars' murderers row five game road swing that finishes a swing through the rest of the Pacific after tonight. The Yotes are wanting to hold on to fourth for first round home ice advantage.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

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