Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview and Live Thread - April 17

Two nights of NHL Playoffs have already brought us all kinds of controversy, unlikely heroes, and late game heroics.  Now with game twos on the horizon we've got four teams looking to fight back.

Ottawa Senators at Montreal Canadiens, Game 2

Montreal leads 1-0

7:00 Eastern, CBC, CNBC, TVA

Did a hockey game occur on Wednesday night in Montreal?  It's hard to tell since everyone is still talking about the slash heard round the world.  For Ottawa fans, PK Subban is public enemy number one worthy of a lifetime suspension.  Meanwhile, Montreal fans are divided, half believe that Mark Stone is still faking it (because honestly who's heard of a microfracture) and the other half think he probably broke his own hand in the locker room to fuel some anti-Canadiens' conspiracy.  The Hamburglar faltered Wednesday night and now, with one of their top scorers out and Montreal getting PK Subban (and maybe Max Paccioretty) back on the ice, the Senators will need him more than ever.

Root for the Senators: If you want to help support Mark Stone and his "drinking problem"

GIF: rough night for Stone.. pic.twitter.com/oInP0I52g1

— Stephanie Vail (@myregularface) April 16, 2015

Root for the Canadiens: if you have a long line of lumberjacks in your family. Chop chop.

New York Islanders at Washington Capitals, Game 2

New York leads 1-0

7:00 Eastern, NBC Sports Network, SN, SN360, TVA Sports 3, CSN-CH, SPSO

This series was hyped up as an all out offensive war, but Game 1 was a sleepy affair with some staunch, disciplined defensive play on both sides.  The Capitals faded as the game wore on and the Islanders walked away with the most decisive victory of these playoffs so far.  The Capitals aren't going to roll over in game two on home ice so this one could be the game of the night.  If there's one thing to be confident about though, it's that every goal in this series will be an absolute snipe.

Root for the Capitals: If you want to see Ovie and JT to go 7 rounds this postseason

Root for the Islanders: If you also like the Oilers (squint real hard and you'll see what I mean)

Chicago Blackhawks at Nashville Predators, Game 2

Chicago leads 1-0

9:30pm Eastern, NBC Sports Network, SN, SN360, TVA Sports 3, CSN-CH, SPSO

Things started off great for the Predators in Smashville this postseason as they walloped the Blackhawks (mostly Corey Crawford) 3-0 in the first period.  Unfortunately, you can't win a game in one period and the Predators found that out the hard way.  The most heart-wrenching loss of round one so far saw the Predators finally surrender the game winner in double overtime.  Scott Darling gave one of the most impressive relief goaltending performances in NHL history with a 67 minute shutout, but the Hawks are going back to Corey Crawford for game two.  Tune in tonight to see if Joel Quenneville will use more than 4 defensemen!

Root for the Predators: if you want to ban Blackhawks fans from the Pepsi Center.

Root for the Blackhawks: If this is your favorite scene in Indiana Jones.

Calgary Flames at Vancouver Canucks, Game 2

Calgary leads 1-0

10:00 Eastern, CBC, CNBC, TVA

The Calgary Flames have done everything they can to be this season's Colorado Avalanche.  It started by wildly outperforming their possession numbers all season, and now the Flames are even copying the Avalanche's last minute playoff heroics.  The Flames trailed most of Wednesday night but tied the game midway through the third and Kris Russell won it with 29.6 seconds on the clock.  Sam Bennett was sensational in his first career playoff game, putting 4 shots on goal and picking up his first career playoff point with an assist on the game winner.

Root for the Flames: If you want to imagine how the 2013-2014 Avalanche would have done if they'd drawn a mediocre playoff team last year.

Root for the Canucks: If you want the Flames to bite the regression bullet as hard as the Avs did.