Stanley Cup Playoffs: Day 23 Predictions

After two thrillers from the East we head out West for a pair of games tonight. Detroit and Chicago are each looking to tie their series at two games apiece in Thursday's double-dose of Game 4 action

Just for the record, I scored a win last night. It could have easily been two as well. Thanks a lot, Jussi Jokinen.

Chris' record after Day 22: 29-24

Western Conference

Vancouver (3) @ Chicago (4)—VAN leads 2-1

It took a perfect road performance by the Vancouver Canucks to hand the Blackhawks their first home loss of the post-season. You have to be sure that the young team from Chicago will be looking for a quick start. They have yet to score the first goal in any game during this series.

Chicago needs to score first to set the tone. Spotting the Canucks any lead wouldn't be a smart thing to do, seeing how they have Roberto Luongo in net at the other end.

Speaking of goalies—where has Nikolai Khabibulin been? He has allowed 11 goals in three games, some of the weak variety. Cristobal Huet isn't your typical playoff performer but coach Joel Quenneville has to re-evaluate his goaltending if the 'Bulin Wall' folds under the Canucks' pressure.

Vancouver is getting Sami Salo back into their lineup tonight. Clearly this could only boost the Canucks' momentum, but you can bet the 'Hawks will come out firing from every angle and get into Luongo's kitchen.

Expect a very entertaining game, with the Blackhawks picking up the win to knot the series at 2-2.

Game Four Winner: Chicago

Detroit (2) @ Anaheim (8)—ANA leads 2-1

I am going to state the obvious: Detroit got screwed two nights ago.

Whether you're a fan of the Wings or a fan of the Ducks there is no way to deny this. Any negligence of this fact will result in your IQ dropping.

However there is nothing that suggests Detroit would have won that game. That was a goal to tie it. If it would have counted, they would have went to overtime. Again.

Anaheim has had Detroit's number in recent playoff series, especially in the extra session where they are a perfect 5-0.

That was Tuesday, and today is—you guessed it—Thursday.

The Ducks have been playing good hockey with plenty of help from their 27-year-old netminder Jonas Hiller. The Swiss goaltender has a .955 save percentage to go along with his 1.74 GAA. Without question he has outplayed Chris Osgood, a winner of three Stanley Cups.

While Detroit will be focused at all points of the game, the Ducks may have a different thought in the back of their minds. They know they caught a gigantic break in Game Three and knows the officiating crew could potentially swing the calls in the Red Wings' favour.

At the end of the day, the team that works the hardest will come out with the win.

Game Four Winner: Detroit