Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview and Live Thread - April 19

Six teams looking to take the edge in their series, one team hoping to hold on a little longer, and one team looking to take absolute control over their opponent.

Washington Capitals at New York Islanders, Game 3

Series Tied 1-1

12:00 Eastern, NBC

The Capitals struck back on home and erased a two goal deficit over the final 24 minutes of the game, taking their first lead of the series with 7:37 left to play. Jason Chimera sniped twine on the game winner to tie this series back up at the Verizon Center. Not the Caps and Isles head back to a very loud Nassau Colliseum, Isles fans want to see a few more playoff games in that old barn before moving to Brooklyn.

Root for the Capitals: If nothing you do is good enough for your grandmother.

Root for the Islanders: If you want to preserve a "historic" building a little longer.

Nashville Predators at Chicago Blackhawks, Game 3

Series Tied 1-1

3:00 pm Eastern, NBC

After a heartbreaking loss in Nashville in Game 1, the Predators bounced back in a big way, stomping the Blackhawks 6-2 while outshooting them 35-26. Corey Crawford was horrific in net again, allowing 6 goals on 35 shots for a .829 SV% and now, after allowing 9 goals in just 4 periods of hockey, he's going to take a little break while Scott Darling takes over the Chicago net. Bad news for the Predators is that they'll be missing top defenseman Shea Weber for both games three and four in Chicago. Roman Josi has played great for the Predators so far, but he and the rest of their deep defense will need to find another level to fill the Weber shaped void on their roster.

Root for the Predators: If you don't think teams should be able to exceed the cap by billions of dollars

Root for the Blackhawks: If you want Corey Crawford to become the league's highest paid backup goalie, permanently.

Montreal Canadiens at Ottawa Senators, Game 3

Montreal leads 2-0

7:00 Eastern, NBCSN

March and April's best feel good story in the league is in a precarious position after being unable to steal a game from the Canadiens in Montreal. The Senators dropped a heart breaking OT loss in Montreal Friday night. Max Pacioretty andP.K. Subban both returned to the Montreal lineup with a goal, and Alex Galchenyuk beat Andrew Hammond 3:40 into the first overtime. Now the Senators head home to Ottawa but it won't be the Hamburglar who leads them. Craig Andersonis set to start for the Senators in Game 3.

Root for the Senators: If you want to chant "ANDY ANDY ANDY" one last time.

Root for the Canadiens: If you want to see the best goalie in the world "Carey" his team a little further.

Vancouver Canucks at Calgary Flames, Game 3

Series Tied 1-1

10:00 Eastern, NBCSN

The Flames luck finally ran out Friday night (for one game at least) and they were dominated by the Vancouver Canucks to the tune of a 4-1 thumping. Now the surprising Flames head home to the Saddledome, which is sure to be an insane environment for their fans. The real story of course, has very little to do with what happened on the scoreboard in Vancouver:

Yikes.

Derek Engelland was assessed an instigator penalty which would have kept him out of game three, but the NHL rescinded his automatic 1-game suspension, so he'll be back with the potential to create more fireworks. Bob Hartley was fined $50,000 for his team's late-game antics. This one could get heated. (Get hit, heat, Flames, heh).

Root for the Flames: If you think "grit, character, and hard work" are the three biggest tools you have for winning a hockey game.

Root for the Canucks: If you've signed Russo's petition to to add "McLeoding" to the dictionary as a verb.