A Night of Game Sevens
I’ve been waiting for this moment for two weeks now and finally the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs has a game seven, well two of them to be exact. These two games tonight are the first game sevens of the playoffs and I’ve been dying to see a passionate all out battle of a game. The two games tonight are between the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins and the other matchup is the Edmonton Oilers and Anaheim Ducks.
Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins had a commanding 3–1 series lead but the Capitals have battled their way back to even the series at three. The Capitals have all the momentum and the Penguins look to be on their heels. The last three games the Capitals have put up 9 goals in the last two games while the Penguins have only mustered 4. Fleury is beginning to look the goalie he really is in the last two games his SV% has been a brutal .844. The Capitals offense if finally starting to click and when they get going they have plenty of weapons in Backstrom, Ovechkin, Oshie, Kuznetsov and Burakovsky’s recent emergence. The Penguins still tout a pretty heavy offensive lineup too though with their studs of Crosby, Malkin, Kessel, Hagelin and Bonino. This game seven should be an electric game and I’m hoping for overtime.
X-Factors:
Washington Capitals: Justin Williams this guy’s nickname is Mr. Game 7 so go ahead Justin Williams steal the show tonight. Williams is 7–0 in game sevens throughout his career and has posted 7 goals and 7 assists in those games. He currently has the most points in game seven history.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Marc-Andre Fleury needs to be on his game tonight. IF Fleury turns in a great performance there is no doubt the Penguins win this game. Fleury in the first round and even earlier games in this series stood on his head and if he can muster another performance like that the Penguins will be able to take this series.
My Pick: Washington Capitals
This game will be broadcast on NBCSN at 7:30
Anaheim Ducks vs. Edmonton Oilers
This series has surprised me as we’ve seen both teams receive hefty beatings in this series, the Ducks beat the Oilers handedly in game three 6–3 but the Oilers smoked the Ducks in 7–1 in game six. Both these offenses have had pretty great series as the goal total is 42 between both teams, which is 7 goals per game. This means the goaltending hasn’t been stellar and Gibson was even pulled during that game six beatdown. The Oilers offense is certainly humming after that 7 goal outing but their defense is still questionable as they’ve blown leads in two games already this series. The Ducks need to be concerned with shutting down Leon Draisaitl who has stepped up while the Ducks have been worried about McDavid. Getzlaf needs to lead his team the way he has been as he’s been on a tear during the playoffs with 15 points.
X-Factors:
Anaheim Ducks: Ryan Kesler is the X-factor for the Ducks he’s been tasked with matching up against McDavid and Draisaitl. He’s made a career out of being a shut down forward and received a Selke nod this year for his play. His offense this year was pretty productive too but he’s had only 6 points this far in the playoffs. They need him to contribute on the offensive side of the ice and hopefully continue to neutralize McDavid in the defensive zone.
Edmonton Oilers: Leon Draisaitl has been a stud for the Oilers so far in the postseason and went off for 5 points in the last game. Draisaitl needs to continue his production if the Oilers want to win this game. If Draisaitl is also able to incorporate McDavid into the Oilers offense there is no doubt in my mind Edmonton doesn’t win this game.
My Pick: Edmonton Oilers
This game will be broadcast at 10:00 on NBCSN
Written By: Tyler Smith (@TylerSmith4386)