Image Courtesy of thepensblog.com
After tonight’s matchups, we’ll have a much clearer picture
of who will be advancing to the second round of the NHL playoffs. Game five is
so often the most important game in a series of seven. So three of them occurring
in one night while the NBA is off qualifies as a HUGE night for the NHL. Here’s
all the possible outcomes and aftermaths of tonight’s games.
Minnesota beats
Chicago forcing a game six: It’s tough to imagine the loaded Blackhawks
falling tonight after such a convincing shut-out win in game five. But even if
the Wild were to win tonight, it wouldn’t have many far-reaching implications.
There’s no chance the Wild pull off three wins in a row but…hey it’s nice to
have guys we’ve heard of playing in Minnesota, right?
Chicago wins, closing
the series: Maybe people shut up about Derrick Rose not playing. Just
kidding, that won’t happen. But I imagine the Hawks would enjoy a nice break
before they take on San Jose (or Detroit?). Either way, they’ll face much more
of a challenge than they did this round. Also, in this scenario Wild fans
probably get a little down on the team. Chin up, Wild fans; the team has plenty
of new faces and will benefit from a full training camp and 82-game season.
New York takes a 3-2
series lead over Pittsburgh: It’s no secret Marc-Andre Fleury has been
brutal this entire series but he’s not the sole reason Pittsburgh has struggled
against the Islanders. The Islanders have competed with the far-more-talented
Pens throughout the entire game. They even fired 44 shots at Fleury in game
two. If it weren’t for the offensive talents of Crosby and Co., this series could
be 3-1 Islanders. If the Islanders win tonight, we’re that much closer to some real major moves in Pittsburgh. There’s
no way Bylsma survives three consecutive first-round exits.
Pittsburgh beats New
York: Pittsburgh would take a commanding 3-2 lead which would make it hard
to see them being eliminated by New York. But as the past few games have shown,
the Pens could be in major trouble in the second round. Hell, if Bylsma refuses
to pull Fleury they could be swept by the Rangers or Senators (or Boston, theoretically).
Pittsburgh winning tonight would amount to little more than inducing some “they’re
supposed to do that” from the hockey world.
Montreal wins and
extends the series: This would force a game six likely making this the “must
watch” series for the final two games. The Canadians are obviously capable of
winning tonight but they haven’t looked the same in the past few weeks. A win
tonight would do wonders for the psyche of this team.
Ottawa closes
Montreal: All hell breaks loose throughout French-Canada. Buildings are
destroyed, cars are flipped, people are killed, anarchy ensues. In fact, for
the good of Canada, Ottawa should throw the last three games of this series.
That’s that for the NHL. But if you’re not interested in
hockey, there are some non-NBA alternative viewing options.
The Angels take on the Astros tonight in the MLB. I know
what you’re thinking, who cares, right? Well, if the Astros are able to defeat
the Angels again tonight, they’ll tie them in the wins column. No, seriously. So,
if you’re interested in the complete and total collapse of the Angels as a
professional organization, tune into this matchup tonight!
Stay hungry, my friends.
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