Stanley Cup Playoffs: Day Eight Predictions

Tuesday night was the first—and most likely the only—time this playoffs where there were five games on tap.

I guess you can say I picked the best night to go undefeated.

But today is, indeed, a new day. Day Eight to be exact.

I received a request to spice things up by predicting not only the winners, but the final scores as well.

As we all know a score can easily change due to an empty net goal and plenty of other intangibles and it is nearly impossible to get them all right.

So I will take this challenge to see how lucky I can get.

Chris' record after Day Seven: 14-10

Eastern Conference

Boston (1) @ Montreal (8)—BOS leads 3-0

If the Canadiens were to have won Game Three, there would be a good chance they would carry the momentum over to the fourth game. As we all know, the Habs dropped the last game 4-2.

Montreal played a solid first two periods but could not generate any opportunities in the third as they were held to just five shots on Bruins netminder Tim Thomas.

Former Canadien Michael Ryder scored what proved to be the game winner late in the second frame.

Without a question, the Canadiens have already called it in. There are several bulletins and articles surrounding GM and interim head coach Bob Gainey questioning where the season went wrong.

Newsflash, Bob—your season isn't over...yet.

The Bruins can smell the blood and will look to be the second team to punch their ticket to round two.

Game Four Winner: Boston—BOS 3, MON 1

Washington (2) @ NY Rangers (7)—NYR leads 2-1

After sub-par goaltending by Jose Theodore in Game One the Capitals coaching staff decided to shake things up by starting 20-year-old Simeon Varlamov in games two and three.

Who is this guy?

While he is an unknown to over 90 percent of hockey fans, Varlamov has worked his way inside the heads of the New York Rangers, surrendering just one goal in his two games played. Varlamov is currently riding a 112:16 shutout streak.

As the old saying goes, you can't save them all. Just ask Henrik Lundqvist.

Lundqvist made 35 saves in Game Two to shut out the Capitals, but has allowed seven goals in the other two games in the series. That last stat doesn't hold much justice as this series could easily be 3-0 for Washington without the superb play of King Henrik.

Tonight will be a closer game than the 4-0 win the Caps registered on Monday night. Sean Avery will have to be on his best behaviour, otherwise coach John Tortorella will find a nice seat for him on the Rangers bench.

Game Four Winner: Washington—WSH 4, NYR 2

Western Conference

Chicago (4) @ Calgary (5)

Anyone who watched this game—or even just the end—knows full well that this series has the chance to be an instant classic.

Tempers boiled over in the dying seconds of Game Three as the Flames tallied a win to get back into the series.

With the Flames unable to keep third period leads in the first two games forward David Moss scored twice in the final period to ensure the victory for Calgary.

There was a combined 76 hits thrown on Monday night with 64 PIM handed out in the final minute of the contest. Chirping was going down on both sides, as the officials had their hands full keeping these teams apart.

Jarome Iginla received a lot of verbal abuse from the Blackhawks during the final skirmish, which could prove to be lethal. If Iggy wasn't fired up already, it's logical to suggest he is now.

And boy, look out.

Game Four Winner: Calgary—CHI 3, CGY 5