NHL Playoffs: Predictions for April 30th

It’s Game 2 day for the Eastern Conference. Here are the top picks, plays and predictions.

Here are today’s starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.

WC1 Islanders vs #2 Lightning: The Lightning struck first in Game 1 off an Ondrej Palat one-timer. But after Kyle Okposo evened things up with a flukey goal from the far boards, the Islanders took off. Shane Prince tallied twice in the first period, including a goal with 2.1 seconds left on the clock. John Tavares picked up a powerplay goal which chased Ben Bishop. The Islanders won 5-3.

From an objective standpoint, it was nice to see Prince finally get rewarded for his hustle. The forward has emerged from obscurity as a minor deadline deal to an integral part of the Isles success this postseason. He has been buzzing in the offensive zone and an energetic player to watch. He now has three goals this postseason.

Tampa Bay did manage to make it interesting late. They scored twice in the third period before finally surrendering an empty-netter with a minute left. Nikita Kucherov scored his sixth goal this postseason, tying John Tavares for tops in the playoffs.

Kyle Okposo is tied with five other players for the postseason lead in assists with six. Tyler Johnson and Jonathan Drouin lead the Bolts with five each.

If the Lightning want to even the series, they will need a better night out of Ben Bishop. Bishop was beaten far more frequently and easily than he usually is. Bishop’s offense began to exploit the shell tactics taken by the Isles in the third, firing on all cylinders late in the game.

Per War-on-Ice:

That’s a remarkable slope for Tampa and a worrisome flatline out of the Isles late. The Lightning won the Corsi battle at 5v5 54-31 and the shot-on-goal battle 36-22. The game had a very similar feel to the Islanders’ first round against the Panthers. Islanders lose the shot battle badly but capitalize on the few chances they get and never stop skating.

That frustrates opposing teams, but it opens the door for a back-and-forth series.

Prediction: Take the Lightning to win Game 2. Play the over.

#2 Penguins vs #1 Capitals: The first installment of the battle between the top two seeds in the Eastern Conference went to the Washington Capitals. Each and every goal was highlight reel-worthy, whether it be because of an unreal play or because no one was entirely sure how the puck managed to slip past the goaltender.

Andre Burakovsky got the scoring started by putting home a juicy rebound. He generated the rush and set up Jason Chimera for a good initial shot which bounced off Matt Murray’s left leg pad. The young Russian spent the game on the third line with Chimera and Mike Richards. Richards and Burakovsky were first and second respectively among Caps’ forwards in shot differential at even strength, per War-on-Ice.

The worst player on the Caps possession-wise? Evgeny Kuznetsov at -15. The Caps’ second line was far and away their worst. They generated all of two scoring chances, one of them high danger, both off the stick of Kuznetsov.

T.J. Oshie was the true star of the night, though. Oshie netted a hat trick, including the game winner. The goal was good by mere fractions of an inch.

TJ Oshie…OT goal is…….GOOD!!!! @TSN1050Radio @TSN_Sports @GinoRedaTSN #hattrick pic.twitter.com/CYRluDxizb

— Mike Richards 🇨🇦🇮🇪 (@RawMikeRichards) April 29, 2016

Nick Bonino had himself a great night for Pittsburgh. Bonino had a goal and a primary assist. His setup of Ben Lovejoy’s goal was nothing short of filthy. His goal was a wacky point-blank shot that ricocheted off of Nate Schmidt’s stick and skate past Holtby. Bonino now has a goal and six assists this postseason.

Matt Murray had simultaneously a very good game and a game that could have been better. He made some big-time saves with remarkable athleticism. But at the same time, Oshie’s first goal got a big piece of his glove and Oshie’s second goal slipped through his five hole.

https://twitter.com/myregularface/status/725871418806788096

That is not good. But he had several other great saves. He’s a big dude at 6’4″. If he were just an inch bigger, he may have had the overtime winner.

Tom Wilson got fined and not suspended for this ugly knee-on-knee collision with Conor Sheary.

https://twitter.com/myregularface/status/725872019246583808

Tonight the Penguins will need a bit more from their defensive core. Olli Maatta had his pocket picked for Oshie’s breakaway goal and was spun around on his second. Trevor Daley and Brian Dumoulin were beaten badly on the first and the fourth goals of the game. The Pens will need to tighten up, specifically their second pair.

Prediction: Anticipate the Penguins to make some adjustments and even things up tonight. Take Pittsburgh to win. Play the over.