Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview & Live Thread - May 3

Tampa Bay Lightning at Montreal Canadiens, Game 2 (TBL 1 - 0 MTL)

6:00 Eastern, CBC, NBC Sports

Game One of this series was kind of a funky affair with not a lot of things happening if you aren't a really big goaltending fan. Carey Price and Ben Bishop were both completely outstanding, except for that one time when Bishop made an easy glove save from 60 feet and it just popped right through and into the net.

But no this is smart though. You don't want to lead with your best act, do you? No, of course you don't.

Minnesota Wild at Chicago Blackhawks, Game 2 (CHI 1 - 0 MIN)

8:30 Eastern, NBC Sports (probably starting on NHLN-US), CBC, Sportsnet 360

Chicago liked their series against Nashville so much they decided to repeat that Game One against Minnesota, jumping out to an early 3-0 lead, then coughing it all the way back up in the second. It didn't require them overtime this time though, as Teuvo Teravainen (obviously) put home the game winner. However, according to the NHL.com preview,

The Wild haven't lost consecutive games in regulation since acquiring goalie Devan Dubnyk on Jan. 14, and hope that streak continues. If so, they can steal home-ice advantage before the series shifts to Xcel Energy Center for Games 3 and 4.

That's a long time. As much as we may find the Wild gross and bad, it's time for Avs fans to stop telling ourselves they don't have a strong team. Put me on the spot and I'll predict that Mini Soda ties this one up tonight.

Calgary Flames at Anaheim Ducks, Game 2 (ANA 1 - 0 CGY)

10:00 Eastern, CNBC, Sportsnet

Game One was a roflstomp. Anaheim scored 2 goals in every period and Calgary couldn't manage anything until the third, with the game well out of hand and score effects fully on the ice. Corey Perry (2+2) and Ryan Getzlaf (1+3) each had 4 points to, heh heh, douse, the Flames.

The Calgary Flames are not any kind of match for the Ducks on paper. However, if the Calgary #Flams show up, who knows. Anything can happen.