Canucks Take Stranglehold; Flyers & Wings In “Must Wins”

The Vancouver Canucks did what many thought they wouldn’t (or couldn’t) do, and that is walk into Nashville and take both games from the Predators at Bridgestone Arena.  Henrik Sedin finally broke out and had a goal and two assists, as did Ryan Kesler and Christan Erhoff, pacing the Canucks to the 4-2 win.  Alexander Edler also tallied for the Cancuks, who took a commanding 3-1 series lead heading home for game 5 on Saturday night.  Joel Ward and Cody Franson were the only Predators who were able to beat Roberto Luongo, who was not overly busy, facing 21 shots.  Pekka Rinne made 23 saves in the losing effort.

Tonight there are two teams looking to join the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round as both Boston and San Jose are on the verge of completing second round sweeps.  Boston will likely face Sergei Bobrovsky in the merry-go-round that is the Philadelphia net, with the series and Flyers’ season on the line.  The home crowd will be electric as they implore the home team to finish the Flyers off, and not allow any memories of last season’s collapse to creep in whatsoever.

Detroit, who will be facing elimination at home, has been in every game and probably deserve better than the 3-0 hole they find themselves in.  They will need to step their game up a notch if they are to win one against the Sharks, who smell blood in the water and do not want to give the Wings any hope.  Jimmy Howard will have to be much better than he has been if the Wings want to take the flight to California along with the Sharks.

The games will be slightly staggered tonight, with the Wings on at 7:00 and an 8:00 puck drop in Boston.

Also on tap tonight is Game 6 in the series between the Binghamton Senators and the Portland Pirates.  Bingo (leading 3-2) failed on their first attempt to finish the Pirates off at home, so they now must do it on the road with game 6 (& 7 if necessary) played in Portland.

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