NHL Playoffs 2012: Previewing and Predicting Saturday's Games

Gimme five! That's right, five games on Saturday. How about that for a day of playoff hockey? Not too shabby my friends, not too shabby.

Last night saw the Nashville Predators end the Detroit Red Wings' season and the Pittsburgh Penguins win again to stave off elimination.

As of now, I will take my 10-5 prediction record since Monday and roll the dice yet again. 

Boy, do we have some big tilts tonight. The Western Conference series are at 3-1, and the curtains can close on the Blackhawks and Sharks' seasons. Three games will be played in the East to see who will take a 3-2 series advantage.

What a day and night of hockey ahead. Let's do this.  

Capitals vs. Bruins

The second I gave up on Braden Holtby, he dazzled. In a 2-1 win on Thursday night, Holtby cemented his status as a central figure in this series with 44 saves.

Here's the kicker: The Caps were only able to muster up 19 shots on home ice against the Bruins in Game 4. Sure, Nicklas Backstrom was out of the lineup serving a suspension, and he will be back in action on Saturday. That may only help so much.

Without a doubt, the Bruins feel this is their series to take as they still have home-ice advantage. I think you are going to see players like Zdeno Chara, Milan Lucic and Rich Peverley have their best performances of the series.

I like what Washington has done, but they will need another goaltender win to keep up pace in this series. While Holtby will be good, it will be a happy day in the Beantown.

Prediction: The B's will be able to capitalize on some of their early chances. The Caps will strike at some point, but it won't be enough to poise a significant threat. Look for the Bruins to take the series lead.

Bruins win 4-2.

Senators vs. Rangers

If the New York Rangers are frustrated, they should be. After going up 2-0 against the Senators in Game 4, it looked like they were ready to seal the game and head back to the Garden.

Kyle Turris spoiled that with his overtime winner.

Still, the Rangers had a solid third period, but they have had some recent trouble scoring five on five. The "Blue Shirts" will need continued production from Brad Richards, who had a two assists in Game 4. He has 19 shots on goal, the most of any Ranger, and getting him open looks will be key on Saturday.

For the Sens, they'll need to be persistent and continue to pepper Henrik Lundqvist. Finally, Milan Michalek joined the party and chipped in his first goal of the series. The Sens will need him to continue to contribute if they are to take the series.

The Rangers will key on Michalek and Jason Spezza in Game 5, and that will be the difference. In a series that's tied 2-2, team depth is tested, and the Rangers have more to offer on that front.

Prediction: I think the No. 1 seed in the East breaks this one open. They will create a lot of skating room on home ice and be in control all night.

Rangers win 4-1. 

Devils vs. Panthers

Martin Brodeur took home a milestone shutout on Thursday night, but more importantly the New Jersey Devils finally played a complete game. Though taking a 3-0 lead is something they have done three times this series, it remains a 2-2 deadlock.

The question facing the Panthers: Who is going to start in the pipes?

Neither Scott Clemmensen nor Jose Theodore has proved to be reliable, and that is a bad sign for any playoff team. The Panthers have shown that they are a worthy adversary, and if the Devils feel like taking any time off at any point during Game 5, look out.

What should give the Devils an enormous amount of confidence is special teams. They were finally able to control the Florida power play as the Panthers finished 0-for-6 in Game 4. The Devils were also able to cash in with two power play goals of their own.

If the Devils play like they did in Game 4, it may not matter what Florida does. David Clarkson has been a beast up front, and I like what I'm seeing out of Travis Zajac and Zach Parise. 

Prediction: The Panthers will come out with a lot of energy, but the Devils now know what to do. I like the road team in this one. Look for the Devils to win and take a 3-2 advantage in the series.

Devils win 5-3.

Sharks vs. Blues

Game 4 of the Sharks-Blues series saw little skating room and a 2-1 win by the Blues. Though the shot totals were as close as you can get, the St. Louis Blues have been the better club in this series. 

Led by Patrick Berglund and a resurgent Andy MacDonald, the Blues will look to close out the Sharks at home on Saturday night.

This could be the end of the line for these Sharks and perhaps a dramatic makeover in the offseason will be in demand. General Manager Doug Wilson wants to win, and he cannot afford to wait for some of his players to figure it out. Both Joe Pavelski and Patrick Marleau are scoreless so far in the postseason, and that just won't get it done.

Meanwhile, the Blues are on all cylinders and Brian Elliot is going to continue to be tough to beat.

Prediction: The Blues close it out at home. They are deeper, tougher and have the tools to move on to the second round in five games.

Blues win 3-1.

Blackhawks vs. Coyotes

Any chance we will see a fifth straight overtime game? I really hope not, as my heart won't be able to take it.

Here's the deal: The knock on the 'Hawks this year was that they don't have the depth at center, their defense has been poor, their special teams play is pathetic and their goaltending is suspect. Those same elements are the main contributors to their demise in this series.

General manager Stan Bowman thought he solved some of this by trading for Johnny Oduya. Right now, Oduya is part of the problem. Other defenseman, such as Nick Leddy and the aging Sean O'Donnell, have not played well either.

On the flip side, the Phoenix Coyotes play together as a unit and are understanding what it takes to win. Mike Smith has been outstanding, Derek Morris and Keith Yandle have led the charge defensively and anything Mikkel Boedker puts on net is going in.

I love the Hawks, but don't see them getting out of this alive. While I originally thought this would go seven games, I'm going to change my tune.

Prediction: It will be close and the Hawks will lay it on the line, but this team is far removed from the Cup-winning team we saw two years ago. The Coyotes will win their first postseason series since moving to the desert.

Coyotes win 2-1 in OT.