NHL Playoffs 2012: Previewing and Predicting Friday Night's Games

Another night in the books and a plethora of hockey games ahead.

While I'm still reeling after watching Corey Crawford give up another soft overtime goal and witnessing the Phoenix Coyotes take a commanding 3-1 series lead over my beloved Blackhawks, I'll have to get over it and move on.

Last night also saw the St. Louis Blues extend their series lead to 3-1 over the San Jose Sharks. The Bruins were stopped cold by Braden Holbty and the Capitals. That series is now at a 2-2 deadlock. And the New Jersey Devils finally played a complete game in Martin Brodeur's historic night. That series is also level at two games a piece.

Since Monday, this forecaster has an 8-5 overall record this week as we head into tonight's action.

Does anyone else feel robbed that there are only two games tonight? We should feel so lucky, though, as both of these games have seasons on the line.

Can the Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins stay alive? Let's break it down. 

Flyers vs. Penguins

Forgive me in advance if this prediction does not sound confident, but who can accurately determine what will happen tonight? I mean, what on earth is going on in this series?

Goals, goals and more goals in abundance.

The Philadelphia Flyers looked to sweep the shorthanded and bewildered Penguins in Game 4 on Wednesday, but instead they surrendered 10 goals in a shocking 10-3 loss at home.

What we haven't seen in this series is something that many people refer to as "defense." Another term, "goaltending," has also seemed to elude the state of Pennsylvania. If either of these two teams plan on making a deep postseason run, this will have to be remedied, or one of these two clubs will get bounced out in the second round.

What's more, the Penguins now return home with 40-goal scorer James Neal back in the lineup following a one-game ban.

As always, the Flyers have their annual questions around their playoff goaltending. Ilya Bryzgalov has been suspect and who knows how long he will last tonight. 

I would love to think that tonight will be a tighter game, but I got burned on that philosophy earlier this week. I'll have to go with the pattern here.

Prediction: The Penguins will play desperate and now the Flyers are second guessing themselves. The Flyboys could very well win this series at any moment, but it doesn't happen tonight. The Penguins will score early and often and stay alive.

Penguins win 7-4. 

Red Wings vs. Predators

Every playoff year showcases hot goalies, and Pekka Rinne is certainly part of that club this season. The Detroit red Wings have averaged 34.5 shots per game and yet find themselves in a 3-1 hole in the series.

So, we head back to "Nash-Vegas" tonight for Game 5, and in difference to the Flyers/Penguins series, this one should be a low scoring affair. 

Many hockey fans don't want this series to end, and for good reason. If this is to be Nicklas Lidstrom's final game, an epic era in hockey will come to an end. Hopefully, Pavel Datsyuk and company can lead this experienced Red Wing team to victory and a Game 6 back home.

The Nashville Predators have be scoring timely goals in transition, and it has been an effective strategy. With their home crowd behind them, they will come out of the gate with more pace tonight. The reacquisition of Alexander Radulov has proven to be a critical decision, and their scoring has been well-balanced. 

While I do not want to see Detroit bow out in the first round, the Preds have the ingredients of a true Cup contender, and they will continue to frustrate the Wings tonight.

Prediction: Nashville will claim the series on home ice tonight. Detroit will fight valiantly, but Rinne will continue to be too much.

Predators win 3-2 in overtime.