Stanley Cup Playoffs, day 13: Will sixes become sevens?
On the schedule tonight are two game sixes which, if momentum holds, may push each series to the brink. But if momentum is halted, the Pittsburgh Penguins could send the Tampa Bay Lightning packing while the San Jose Sharks could eliminate the Los Angeles Kings.
Tonight's feature game is the Pens-Bolts matchup, the continuation of a series that is just full of surprises. It started with a shutout victory for the Pens followed by a resounding 5-1 Bolts win to even things up, and then two straight 3-2 Pittsburgh wins were followed by a crazy 8-2 win for the Lightning. It seems like if Tampa Bay gets going offensively, they'll steamroll the Penguins, but if Pittsburgh can contain them, they should be able to eke out the win and move on to round two--hoping that some reinforcements, in the form of Sidney Crosby, might be able to join them.
- (4) Pittsburgh Penguins at (5) Tampa Bay Lightning, 7 p.m. (CBC, Versus)
Some bad news for the Pens comes from the fact that Steven Stamkos appears to have found his comfort level in playoff hockey, putting up three points (2G, 1A) in game five. If he, Martin St. Louis, Simon Gagne, and Vincent Lecavalier are all ready to go in game six, it might end up with a result not unlike game five: A resounding victory for the Bolts. But anything can happen.
And only one other game tonight:
- (2) San Jose Sharks at (7) Los Angeles Kings, 10 p.m. (TSN, Versus)
The Kings won the last game by a 3-1 score, but it's going to take all they've got to force a seventh game. They're severely outgunned in the series, and will need a full team effort to keep the Sharks in check.
Join us right here to talk about each of the games, and anything else happening in the world of hockey.
