Carolina Hurricanes vs Washington Capitals Game 2 (WAS Leads 1-0)
Money Line: Carolina+140/Washington-160
Puck Line: Carolina-180/Washington+155
O/U: 5.5
As expected, Carolina gave Washington all they could handle last game. The Hurricanes were down 3-0 after the first period but kept playing tough throughout the game and eventually cut the lead to 3-2 before Washington sealed it with an empty-net goal in the final minute. Carolina outshot and outhit Washington in that game. They also took 58.2 percent of the faceoffs. The Capitals got the win, but Carolina proved they belong in this playoffs and that they are not going to be an easy win. Today they show it even more by tying the series up at 1-1 before heading home.
Carolina 3 – Washington 2
Dallas Stars vs Nashville Predators Game 2 (DAL Leads 1-0)
Money Line: Dallas+145/Nashville-166
Puck Line: Dallas-205/Nashville+172
O/U: 5
Much like Carolina, Nashville also outshot and outhit their opponent and won 62.3 percent of faceoffs, but still lost the game. Nashville went 0-4 on power plays in the first game (Dallas 1-3). The Predators will have their hands full again today with young Stars defenseman Miro Keiskanen. Keiskanen ended the game with one goal and one assist (his second goal was given to Alexander Radulov for tipping the puck). Nashville is going to need something offensively out of Filip Forsberg and leading goal scorer Viktor Arvidsson in this game if they want to prevent themselves from going down 0-2 heading to Dallas.
Dallas 3 – Nashville 1
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Boston Bruins Game 2 (TOR Leads 1-0)
Money Line: Toronto+125/Boston-145
Puck Line: Toronto-215/Boston+180
O/U: 6
Boston jumped out to a 1-0 lead within the first ten minutes of the last game. After that, it was all Toronto. The Maple Leafs ended up winning the game 4-1 after an empty netter in the final minutes. The game was fairly even on paper, 50/50 split on faceoffs, 33 hits for Toronto, 31 for Boston and the shots weren’t too lopsided at 33 for Toronto and 38 for Boston. Leafs goalie Frederik Andersen played a great game and made 37 saves. The Bruins will need to handle the puck better in this game if they want to even up the series. Toronto also took the first game in last year’s playoff series between these two, and we all know how that ended up.
Toronto 3 – Boston 5
Colorado Avalanche vs Calgary Flames Game 2 (CGY Leads 1-0)
Money Line: Colorado+192/Calgary-230
Puck Line: Colorado-140/Calgary+120
O/U: 6
Colorado had plenty of scoring opportunities in the first game, and the game was closer than a 4-0 score would suggest. Mike Smith made some incredible saves for the Flames and played by far his best game of the season. If Smith continues to play that well, the Flames will walk into the Stanley Cup Finals. However, Smith has been inconsistent this season, so Colorado can certainly find ways to score on him. The Flames added two goals in the final three minutes of the game (one empty net) to put this game away. If the Avs are going to tie this series they are going to need to fix both sides of the power play, going 0-4 themselves while allowing Calgary to go 2-5. Calgary also won 62.9 percent of faceoffs, a number that Colorado needs to try and get as close to 50/50 as possible, although they have struggled on faceoffs all season. However, I think Colorado’s top line gets them back in this series today with the upset to send them home tied 1-1.
Colorado 4 – Calgary 2
