2014 NHL Playoff Schedule, Standings, This Week's Predictions: Two Must Watch Games Highlight Postseason Action
With the NHL postseason coinciding with the NBA postseason, sports fans get the best of both worlds on Tuesday night as the NHL hosts two games from the second round of the playoffs.
Montreal Candiens vs. Boston Bruins
The first game begins at 7:00 p.m. EDT and will be played at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens will host the Boston Bruins in Game 3, with both teams having a chance to take a 2-1 series lead. The Canadiens won the first game in a thrilling double overtime, winning 4-3. In that game, Pernel Subban scored two goals, including the game-winning goal in double overtime. Canadiens goaltender Cary Price was excellent in Game 1 facing 51 shots -- stopping 48 of them -- and not allowing a single goal in overtime. The Canadiens escaped a 0-1 series hole after allowing three goals in the third period.
The Boston Bruins evened the series in Game 2 by defeating the Canadiens 5-3. With the Canadiens trailing by just one goal, the Bruins dominated the third period by outscoring the Canadiens 4-1. Neither goalie -- Cary Price or Tuukka Rask -- played impressive in Game 2. This is by far the most frequent playoff matchup in sports history, with these two franchises now meeting for the 34th time. The rivalry never ends.
Minnesota Wild vs. Chicago Blackhawks
The second game hockey fans can watch Tuesday night begins at 9:00 EDT and will be played at the Xcel Energy Center in Minnesota. The Minnesota Wild will host the defending Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks. The Blackhawks are already up in this series after winning both games at home in Chicago and look to take a commanding 3-0 series lead on Tuesday night. The Blackhawks have outscored the Wild 9-3 in the first two games combined. Both the Blackhawks and Bruins are fighting for a Stanley Cup rematch.
The Wild haven't shown they can stop Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa and don't have a long history of playoff success. The Wild look to make their first appearance in the Conference Finals since the 2003 postseason. Last season, the Wild were eliminated by the Blackhawks in five games, so these teams know each other quite well.
The winner of the Bruins and Canadiens series will play the winner of the Rangers and Penguins series. The winner of the Blackhawks and Wild series will play the winner of the Ducks and Kings series.