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Predictions, predictions, and more predictions...
Carolina Hurricanes (41-28-7 - 89 pts) @ New Jersey Devils (47-23-4 - 98 pts)
New Jersey clinched a playoff spot earlier this week, although they struggled on their three-game road trip going 0-2-1. Zach Parise notched his 42nd goal of the season, and Brodeur made 39 saves (including 19 in the first period) in the Devils 3-2 OT loss to the Blackhawks Friday night.
Meanwhile, all Carolina has done is rally off five straight wins, one of those being against the Devils. Cam Ward, Rod Brind'Amour, and Eric Staal have been great lately for the 'Canes. After mid-season struggles, Ward has looked solid in net and has closed the door late in games.
They've went from battling for a playoff spot to battling for home ice in the first round. With four of their last six games at home, they have a great opportunity of accomplishing that feat.
The Hurricanes are well rested, having last played on Wednesday, whereas the Devils played in Chicago the night before. Hurricanes stay hot...Hurricanes win.
Philadelphia Flyers (40-23-10 - 90 pts) @ New York Islanders (25-41-8 - 58 pts)
The Flyers currently hold down the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of the surging Hurricanes. Jeff Carter regained his scoring touch last week after being in a bit of a slump. He is up to 41 goals on the season. Briere is back, Biron is solid, and shutdown pair Timmonen and Parent are gelling.
The Islanders are....the Islanders. Flyers win.
Ottawa Senators (32-31-10 - 74 pts) @ Atlanta Thrashers (31-38-6 - 68 pts)
The Senators fail to quit, and are still mathematically involved in the playoff race. Heatley, Spezza, and Alfredsson have been re-united (again for the nth time this season), and are scoring. The new coach has the team playing with intensity again, and it seems the pressure is off the Ottawa Senators. However, their lack of depth and secondary scoring will soon elminate them from playoff contention.
Atlanta has been good as of late too. Kozlov and Kovalchuk are a two-man wrecking crew, and Hedberg has won his last two starts. But after their six-game winning streak, they are 2-3 with some bad losses to Montreal, Detroit, and Pittsburgh.
This game could go either way, but I think Ottawa has more to play for and have been playing well for the past 3 weeks. Ottawa wins.
Florida Panthers (36-28-11 - 83 pts) @ Dallas Stars (33-32-9 - 75 pts)
The Stars' season has been similar to taking a ride on a Six Flags roller-coaster. They started the season terribly, in last place in the Western Conference, then fought into the playoffs once departing with Sean Avery, and now have lost five straight and are losing ground fast in race for eighth. This all after the season they surprised many people in reaching the Western Conference Finals. Coach Dave Tippett has some work cut out for him, or else he could be gone for the start of next season.
Florida still has a great chance of making the playoffs for the first time in eight years, but if they are going to make it, they have to get better goal-tending from Tomas Vokoun. Coach DeBour says he is going to ride Vokoun the rest of the season and hope for the best. Improved play from Jay Bouwmeester is also necessary if they hope to qualify for postseason action.
Florida has much more to play for, and I hope they can make the playoffs. Panthers win.
Columbus Blue Jackets (39-28-7 - 85 pts) @ St. Louis Blues (35-30-9 - 79 pts)
Both teams are looking good, but one has to be great in order to make the playoffs. Columbus has a little breathing room from the seventh seed after a convincing 5-0 beat-down on the Flames
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