THE PLAYOFFS SKINNY
OTTAWA SENATORS AT MONTREAL CANADIENS
Game 2: Friday, 7 p.m., CBC The series: Canadiens lead 1-0 The skinny: We are hearing rumours the Senators and Canadiens don’t like each other very much, after their spirited Game 1 that featured all sorts of bizarre rough stuff — including Habs goalie Carey Price coming very close to getting into a fight after the buzzer (and he won the game!). We’re not expecting warmer, fuzzier feelings to take over after the NHL chose not to suspend P.K. Subban after he slashed Sens rookie Mark Stone. So here they are, back at it two days after two of the hottest goalies let in five goals in less than five minutes of action. Friday evening’s usually the worst night for TV. Not this week.
NEW YORK ISLANDERS AT WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Game 2: Friday, 7 p.m., Sportsnet The series: Islanders lead 1-0 The skinny: Yes, Alexander Ovechkin might just be the elephant in the room. After all, he’s the Rocket Richard Trophy guy, the guy who has led the league in regular season goal-scoring five times — a dazzling accomplishment worth celebrating — but hasn’t yet replicated the feat in the post-season. We’re not suggesting it’s for lack of effort: He did send eight of the Capitals’ 25 shots on Islanders goalie Jaroslav Halak, but he couldn’t score. He was a firstround draft pick back in the day. So, in a much less heralded way, were the Islanders’ Brock Nelson, Ryan Strome and Josh Bailey. All three of those guys scored in Game 1.
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS AT NASHVILLE PREDATORS
Game 2: Friday, 9:30 p.m., Sportsnet The series: Blackhawks lead 1-0 The skinny: The Predators were one of the great stories of the 2014-15 season. They had a new coach, a hot rookie, some outstanding defencemen and a goalie worthy of the Vezina Trophy. It was, arguably, the best regular season in franchise history. But they lost their final six games of the season. That, in turn, led them to facing the Blackhawks in the first round — instead of, say, a wild-card team. And while the Predators went two rounds in recent years, they’re also not the Blackhawks, who generally expect to get at least as far as the Cup final. Which is how Chicago overcame a 3-0 deficit in Game 1; been there, done that.
CALGARY FL AMES AT VANCOUVER CANUCKS
Game 2: Friday, 10 p.m., CBC The series: Flames lead 1-0 The skinny: Henrik and Daniel Sedin did everything but score in Game 1, and a goal from them might have made all the difference the Canucks needed. Instead, the Canucks sat on a 1-0 lead, gave up numerous odd-man rushes, and playoff rookie Eddie Lack finally caved. Really, the Sedins haven’t been excellent since prior to the Stanley Cup finals in 2011 — and as the Sedins go, so too go the Canucks. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Flames forward Sam Bennett, playing his second NHL game, looked like a poised veteran. His equally youthful teammates Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan didn’t make an impact; if all three can, the Canucks will be in a 2-0 hole.