The NHL playoffs, a few days ago, appeared to have been headed toward an obvious conclusion and a predictable Stanley Cup Final between the Chicago Blackhawks and the New York Rangers. However, in the course of two nights, that scenario, while still very possible, was plunged into doubt. The Los Angeles Kings, trailing Chicago 2-0 late in Game 2, rallied for six goals in nearly 22 minutes to win that game decisively and tie the Western Conference Finals, 1-1. The Montreal Canadiens, trailing the New York Rangers 2-0 and playing in New York for Game 3, used a tremendous performance by backup goalie Dustin Tokarski to beat the Blueshirts in overtime and trim their series deficit to 2-1. There’s a sense that anything can happen in this weekend in both series.
Game 3: Chicago Blackhawks @ Los Angeles Kings
Saturday, 8:05 PM ET
Odds: Kings -130, Blackhawks +110
The Kings won Game 2 in Chicago to tie the West’s championship series at 1-1. This is the current scenario in the NHL, but it’s also the scenario that was part of last year’s Western Conference Finals series as well. Chicago quickly and decisively rebounded from a Game 2 loss at home last year, and the Blackhawks controlled most of Game 2, anyway. They were the better team for most of the first two periods; they just fell apart in the third. The Blackhawks are very comfortable on the road and should not be bothered by going into the Staples Center. After two full days off, the Blackhawks should be rested and ready to go. A lot of people in and around the NHL will say that Los Angeles goaltender Jonathan Quick has to steal a game if not two in order for the Kings to win the series. That’s possible, but it’s not likely. Take Chicago in this situation. The Blackhawks are the more proven team, and they have more speed than the Kings.
Pick: Blackhawks
Game 4: Montreal Canadiens @ New York Rangers
Sunday, 8:05 PM ET
Odds: Rangers -175, Canadiens +155
This is a pressure situation for both teams. The Canadiens can’t afford to fall behind by a 3-1 series deficit, but the Rangers were supposed to have cruised in this series once it became known that Montreal would play the rest of the series without star goaltender Carey Price, who was knocked out of the playoffs with an injury suffered in Game 1 this past Saturday. New York took care of business in Game 2 to go up 2-0, but in Game 3, the Canadiens rallied behind backup goaltender Dustin Tokarski, who was extremely sharp all night long and allowed only two bad-bounce goals that were not his fault at all. If New York loses this game, Tokarski might develop enough confidence to carry himself and the Canadiens through the rest of the series. Expect the Rangers, after failing to solve Tokarski on Thursday night, to play an even stronger game and ensure that the Habs’ young goalie doesn’t get on a roll.
Pick: Rangers -175
