Playoffs Preview: Sunday, April 19

Penguins @ Flyers: PIT leads 2-0

The Penguins are going strong right now, while the Flyers just look as though they want to stop playing. Perhaps a change of scenery will do them good though, especially in their home building where the fans are completely raucous. Biron's been hammered a bit by the potent Penguins offense, which is not only Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby (read: Guerin scored the OT winner in Game 2), but he might be able to feed off the energy in the Wachovia Center today.

Vancouver @ St. Louis: VAN leads 2-0

I saw the second game of this series, and although Chris Mason is doing everything he can to keep the puck out of the net, he is not getting much help. Meanwhile, the Canucks have a great amount of energy and a complete brick wall in net by the name of Roberto Luongo. Although traveling into enemy territory today, I would expect the Blues to have their work cut out for them right now.

New Jersey @ Carolina: series tied, 1-1

Okay, so I didn't expect Carolina to come back and tie the series. But there's still an awful lot for them to do now- and they will be happy to hear that captain Jamie Langenbrunner will not be on the ice for Games 3 and 4 due to a lower body injury. That will definitely throw off the chemistry a bit, not only on his line, but on the other lines as Brent Sutter now has to do some juggling. we'll see how that pans out.

Anaheim @ San Jose: ANA leads, 1-0

Yowza! Who saw that coming? Jonas Hiller must be a hell of a goalie- although I didn't see it, I can only judge from the recaps on nhl.com. But a 2-to-1 edge in shots for SJ, and you still manage to shut out the President's Trophy winners? That is pure amazement. Even so, don't expect the Sharks to take it lying down- they will find a way to battle back, and Anaheim must be ready.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!