Stanley Cup Playoffs: Day 19 Predictions

Even though I walked away with the split yesterday I'm glad to say that I witnessed two very impressive games. Here's to hoping that Sunday will provide the same level of excitement.

Today will showcase a pair of Original Six teams that look to keep their playoff slate perfect as Boston and Detroit carry 5-0 records into Sunday's action. It will be up to the Carolina Hurricanes and Anaheim Ducks to respectively hand their opponents a first loss with hopes of evening the series.

Chris' record after Day 18: 28-18

Western Conference

Anaheim (8) @ Detroit (2)—DET leads 1-0

The Detroit Red Wings are doing the exact thing the San Jose Sharks failed to do in the first round: Get bodies to the net.

Jonas Hiller had to face the likes of Johan Franzen and Tomas Holmstrom in his kitchen as the Red Wings powered their way to a 3-2 victory on Friday night. Much to the dismay of Ducks coach Randy Carlyle he knows that his defensemen will have to do a better job of boxing out any potential crease-crashers.

Anaheim needs to have better offensive production from their second and third lines. The trio of Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, and Bobby Ryan have been playing solid hockey, but the Ducks cannot rely on their top line to do all their scoring.

The tempo was controlled by the Wings for most of Game One. Don't expect their game plan to be any different. Brian Rafalski will miss Game Two with an upper body-injury.

Faceoffs will be key if the Ducks want to have better puck possession. They won a measly 29 percent of the draws on Friday, proving that their centremen have to be better.

Game Two Winner: Detroit

Carolina (6) @ Boston (1)—BOS leads 1-0

If the Bruins can play the same way they did in Game One this match-up will be over before the 'Canes know what hit them.

The Bruins dominated the Friday's game without showing any vulnerability. The most impressive stat is that after their fifth game of the playoffs is the Bruins have only taken nine minor penalties. Boston has killed off every single one of them.

There's no surprise that the Hurricanes lost seeing as Eric Staal was pointless in Game One. It's safe to say that if the Bruins can hold Staal off the scoreboard their chances of winning drastically increase.

Cam Ward allowed four goals in the first meeting and will need more defensive support if Carolina can beat the Bruins. Ward knows that he has to be as good as Vezina finalist Tim Thomas at the other end of the rink.

Game Two Winner: Boston