NHL Playoffs 2012: Previewing Both Metro-Area Game 7s

Tonight will be an exciting sports night if you live in the New Jersey/New York area. Both hockey clubs have elimination games to contend with for a chance to move on to the next round of the NHL playoffs.

Last night, the hockey world witnessed an upset, as the seventh-seeded Washington Capitals defeated the defending champion Boston Bruins 2-1 on their home ice, with Joel Ward scoring the game-winner in overtime.

Could we see another upset tonight?

No. 8 Ottawa Senators vs. No. 1 New York Rangers, 7:00 p.m. ET 

That this series has been an intense, physical showcase of playoff hockey is a gross understatement. Whatever the outcome of tonight's game, a rivalry has been birthed between the two hockey clubs that's sure to carry over next season.

The series concludes at Madison Square Garden—a harrowing place to play in for the opposition. It doesn't bode well for Ottawa, as they have never won a Game 7 in their brief existence, while the Blueshirts have never lost a Game 7 at MSG.

The Rangers' captain Ryan Callahan, who injured his finger while blocking a Chris Phillips shot in Game 6, is good to go for tonight's game. 

Both teams will be under immense pressure to move on, but the veteran leadership, stellar goaltending of Henrik Lundqvist and being well-versed in adversity all season long gives New York the edge over Ottawa.

Prediction: 3-1 Rangers over the Senators

No. 6 New Jersey Devils vs. No. 3 Florida Panthers, 8:30 p.m. ET

Panthers GM Dale Tallon's offseason plan of revamping his team has come to fruition for tonight's game—playing an elimination game for a chance to move on in their own building.

It's also ironic that it comes against the New Jersey Devils and Pete DeBoer—the man who coached Florida the previous season.

While New Jersey has the experience of playing in 13 Game 7s prior to tonight, Florida has played in only one.

Ilya Kovalchuck, Zach Parise and Travis Zajac—who scored the Game 6 OT winner in New Jersey—have all stepped up their games to lift New Jersey. 

The key matchup to watch in this game will be whether or not Panthers rookie defenseman Erik Gudbranson can shutdown Kovalchuk. He's done an admirable job thus far, but in a Game 7, it will have to be all hands on deck if the Panthers are to have a chance at moving on.

Still, you can never count out a team that has Martin Brodeur between the pipes.

Prediction: 4-3 New Jersey over Florida

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