Game 1 Preview: Toronto Maple Leafs @ Florida Panthers
Toronto continues its quest as the most disappointing team in the NHL. After blowing a 3-0 lead against Nashville on Monday, the Leafs blew a 2-0 lead against Atlanta the next night. They had the lead in their game against Tampa on Thursday, but ended up losing that one 3-2 in overtime. The Leafs are 2-11 in their last 13 road games, not a good stat when you’re in the middle of a five-game road trip. Phil Kessel has only one goal in 2010.
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Despite dropping a 2-1 shootout decision to the Islanders on Thursday, Panthers goalie Tomas Vokoun is one of the hottest netminders in the game. In his last seven starts, Vokoun has won four, recorded two shutouts and is sporting a .961 save percentage to along with a 1.66 GAA. Playing a Toronto team that has struggled to score on a consistent basis, Vokoun may not have to try that hard to keep his streak going.
Pick: Florida Panthers
Game 2 Preview: Ottawa Senators @ Boston Bruins
With the return of Daniel Alfreddsson, the Senators have emerged as one of the hottest teams in the NHL. In the four games he’s played, the Swede has eight points and has been the main offensive reason the Sens are riding a five-game winning streak. Milan Michalek is also back from injury, and he scored in Ottawa’s 3-2 win over the Blues on Thursday. With Jason Spezza set to return in about a week, the Senators are fast becoming one of the most dangerous teams in the NHL.
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Bruins have been cold recently, experiencing a four-game home losing streak, their latest a 3-2 loss to the Blue Jackets on Thursday. The loss is particularly embarrassing for the Bruins, who fancy themselves a playoff team, but haven’t looked at all like one recently. Boston is chasing the Senators for position in the bottom of the playoff hunt, and cannot afford to lose games to division bottom-dwellers like the Blue Jackets. Scoring at home has become a problem for Boston; they have only six markers in their last four home contests.
Pick: Ottawa Senators
Game 3 Preview: Phoenix Coyotes @ Washington Capitals
The Coyotes bounced back from an embarrassing loss on Monday with a 4-2 win over the Predators on Thursday. Phoenix’s resiliency has been a huge surprise to the rest of the league. It could have been so easy for the Coyotes to lay down all season, but they’ve been battling all year and refuse to make any excuses for themselves. The fans may still not be there, but at least the players know they’re trying their hardest and getting rewarded for it.
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The Caps looked real good in a 6-3 win over Pittsburgh on Thursday. Alex Ovechkin scored twice to give him 32 on the season. The Caps have won fifth straight and continue to hover atop the Eastern Conference leader board. The goaltending has become a little less suspect with the recent play of Jose Theodore. Theodore has won four straight and looked good in all of them. Obviously it’s too early to see Theodore is back to his Hart Trophy form, but as long as he’s a solid-to-good goaltender, the Caps will be an even more dangerous team.
Pick: Washington Capitals
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