TODAY’S GAMES
Calgary Flames at Vancouver Canucks
When: 7 p.m., CBC
The series: Flames lead 3-1.
The skinny: It was suggested, going into the playoffs, that the Flames were the least impressive of the 16 participating teams. One week later, that just hasn’t been the case. It’s the Canucks who look like they don’t belong, from taking undisciplined penalties to vainly attempting shots from every possible angle other than net-front. So now the Canucks are on the verge of quickly bowing out of the playoffs for the third straight time, and will once again face serious questions for the off-season. The last time the Flames won a series, in April 2004, they went all the way to the Stanley Cup Final. No doubt these Flames have the same faith their ancestors had.
New York Islanders at Washington Capitals
When: 4 p.m., Sportsnet
The series: Tied 2-2.
The skinny: The Washington Redskins continue to be an emotional thorn in the side of sports fans in our neighbouring nation’s capital. And there hasn’t been a major pro sports championship won by a D.C. team since the Redskins did it in 1991. So with the Caps in a saw-off with the Islanders and the Wizards handling the Raptors, life is good right now inside the Beltway. We know of one guy happy to be home from Long Island: Brooks Orpik, who took a skate to the face in Game 3, returned after a mending, then took a beer to the face as the Caps celebrated their overtime win. The Caps may not have any serious momentum going, but they surely must have Orpik’s karma working for them.
Chicago Blackhawks at Nashville Predators
When: 6:30 p.m., Sportsnet 360
The series: Blackhawks lead 3-1.
The skinny: It’s hard to see the positive after losing in triple overtime, but the Predators have to feel good about Roman Josi’s future. It’s been a breakout season for the 24-year-old Swiss defenceman, who scored a career-high 55 points and merited inclusion in Norris Trophy conversations. He also played a franchise-record 45 minutes in Game 4. Incredible. But the Predators can’t feel all that good about their chances. After all, in 276 series where one team has held a 3-1 lead, the other team has come back to win just 27 times. And this is the Blackhawks leading 3-1. On the other hand, Predators goalie Pekka Rinne has done just about everything he can do.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Detroit Red Wings
When: 4 p.m., CBC
The series: Red Wings lead 2-1.
The skinny: It’s a simple storyline, the Lightning being the highestscoring team in the NHL during the regular season. They scored 262 times, for an average greater than three goals per game, but of their top four goal-scorers — Steven Stamkos, Tyler Johnson, Nikita Kucherov and Ryan Callahan — only Johnson has been able to do it so far in the first three games. The Lightning have been shut out just twice in 2014-15 — in Game 3, and earlier in the season also against the Red Wings. In Detroit. With rookie Petr Mrazek in net for the Wings. So maybe there’s some bad mojo there. Plus the fact the Wings, given little chance of advancing, have outworked the Lightning.