NHL Playoffs 2012: Predicting Winners for Each Thursday Night Matchup

The 2012 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs have been absolutely fantastic. There are upsets every night and teams going on to win after battling back from major deficits.

Thursday night has four excellent contests on the slate. Here are our predictions on what's going to go down.

New Jersey Devils over Florida Panthers

The Panthers ripped the Devils' hearts out after they crawled out from a 3-0 hole in Game 3 and went on to take a 2-1 series lead in the process.

None of that matters in Game 4, as the Devils once again turn to veteran Martin Brodeur to rescue them.

If anyone is going to be able to shake off that terrible performance, it’s the 19-year veteran goalie.

Look for Marty to play up to the stakes and do his job while the rest of the team buries some shots.

Boston Bruins over Washington Capitals

Nothing has come easy for the B’s in this series as it has taken them an overtime goal in the opening game and a back-and-forth contest in the third to take the lead on Patriots’ Day.

Now they are ready to go for the Caps' throat and prove that they are the defending Stanley Cup champs for a reason.

This team had the highest scoring differential of any during the regular season and will not be foiled in the first round.

Phoenix Coyotes over Chicago Blackhawks

The ‘Yotes may have lost Raffi Torres for his savage, hospitalizing blow to Marian Hossa, but they aren’t ready to lose the series.

They have a one-game lead on the Hawks and are looking to gain more ground.

If they can remain calm and patient while Chicago attempts to seek “vengeance” for the Hossa debacle, they’ll come away with the W.

St. Louis Blues over San Jose Sharks

It honestly seemed like the Blues were going to sweep the Sharks via sheer momentum going into the playoffs. However, San Jose won a double-OT thriller in Game 1 that sent St. Louis reeling.

They’ve since recovered to win two straight in regulation and look poised to close this thing out over the weekend.