NHL Playoffs 2012: Top Storylines and Predictions for Tuesday's Action

The 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs are moving right along. Monday brought us a trio of exciting games, and Tuesday will bring us yet another trio of exciting games.

In New Jersey, the Devils will look to get a leg up on the Panthers after the two teams split in Florida. They'll look to get off to a better start, as the Panthers had them in a 3-0 hole after two periods before ultimately winning 4-2.

In Detroit, the Red Wings will look to level against a Predators team that walked right into Joe Louis Arena and laughed at Detroit's home-ice advantage. The Red Wings are an experienced team, but that hasn't fazed the Predators yet.

Lastly, the Coyotes and Blackhawks will play Game 3 of their series in Chicago. Each of the first two games went to overtime, and nobody should be surprised if Game 3 follows suit.

Here's a rundown of everything you need to know about Tuesday's NHL playoff action.

Florida Panthers at New Jersey Devils (Tied 1-1)

Time: 7:00 p.m. ET

TV: NHL Network

So maybe this Panthers team is for real after all.

If there ever was any doubt, the Panthers erased it by earning the franchise's first playoff victory in just about 15 years with a 4-2 over the Devils in Game 2. They had to withstand a tough third period rally by the Devils, but they simply wouldn't be denied.

A big reason why the Devils found themselves in a hole in Game 2 was because the Panthers got two quick power-play goals from Stephen Weiss. The Panthers are a good power play team, but the Devils are supposed to be the best penalty-killing team in the NHL. They finished the regular season with an 89.6 kill percentage.

Home cooking should help the Devils bounce back from their defeat in Game 2, but Rich Chere of The Star-Ledger was quick to note that this is no sure thing. Since 2006, the Devils are 7-11 at home in the postseason.

Still, I doubt that the Devils are going to let the Panthers convert half their power-play opportunities again. That will give them the advantage, and I think they'll win this game by a nose.

Devils 3, Panthers 2

Nashville Predators at Detroit Red Wings (Predators lead 2-1)

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

TV: NBC Sports Network

Going home was supposed to mean a win and a 2-1 series lead for the Red Wings. They were practically unbeatable at home all season.

Despite Detroit's home dominance during the regular season, the Predators looked like the superior team in this series in Game 3. The made the most of just 22 shots on goal, and Pekka Rinne did his part with 41 saves in 43 opportunities.

Rinne was fantastic in the third period in Game 3, stopping all but one of 19 shots on goal. That's obviously worthy of a hat tip, but the Predators aren't going to be so lucky if Rinne has to work as hard in Game 4 as he did in Game 3. With better luck, one or two more of Detroit's shots will find the back of the goal.

The Red Wings will have to be better on the power play. In three games, they've converted just three of their 14 power play opportunities, one of which was a third period goal by Henrik Zetterberg in Game 3 that came way too late.

I can't fathom the idea of the Red Wings dropping two in a row at home, so I'll take them to even the series.

Red Wings 4, Predators 3

Phoenix Coyotes at Chicago Blackhawks (Tied 1-1)

Time: 9:00 p.m. ET

TV: CNBC

In the first two games of this series, the Blackhawks have proven to be very good at forcing overtime. They got a late third period goal from Brent Seabrook to force OT in Game 1, and Patrick Sharp did the honors in Game 2.

The main difference? The Blackhawks were able to finish off the Coyotes in Game 2 to head home with a road split.

Now that they're back home, the Blackhawks will look to put their high-scoring offense to work against Mike Smith, who has been very good so far in this series.

The problem Smith has run into is that the Blackhawks have been able to take a lot of shots. In all, Smith has been tasked with stopping 95 shots in this series, which is too many by a lot.

Phoenix's defense will have to do a better job of helping Smith out. If the Coyotes can't do that, they're going to be in trouble.

They'll learn the hard way in Game 3.

Blackhawks 4, Coyotes 2