Game three is tonight in Detroit and you guessed it, the Wings are a +124 underdog. Which means, for the third straight game here at Pucking Hockey we are taking them to win and so should you.

Game one got away from Detroit in the third period before entering the period with a 1-1 score. Mistakes happen, but the Wings responded in game two and racked up the scoreboard as “payback” to Chicago’s first game score.

I expect nothing less than what we witnessed Detroit do to Chicago in game three. As a matter of fact it builds more pressure on the Hawks as they enter Detroit in a 1-1 series tie, losing that very important game at home. As the saying goes, you don’t lose a series until you lose at home.

What’s going on with Jonathan Toews?

Toews had 23 goals, tying Patrick Kane for the team lead and trailing just four players in the league. However, he is struggling to score for a third straight postseason.

Toews is in an eight-game playoff slump that dates to last year. He has just three goals combined in three postseasons since scoring seven goals to help Chicago win the Cup in 2010. He had seven goals the previous postseason – his first – when Detroit eliminated the Blackhawks in the Western Conference finals.

Henrik Zetterberg had a lot to do with holding Toews without a point in Game 2, an accomplishment that didn’t surprise Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard.

“Most nights, he’s the best player on the ice,’ Howard said. “No different from (Saturday), the way he was all over Toews the whole game, shutting him down. We’re going to need that for the whole series.’

I agree with Howard, Zetterberg is the best player on the ice. And the captain is stepping up, strapping his team in his shoulders and leading them to victory.

Prediction

Much like the Ottawa/Pittsburgh series, if the odds keep going in our favor with Detroit it’s going to pay off in the end backing them every game. Even if they lose the series (which they won’t do) we will still make a profit as long as they remain the underdog every game.

Not because of this enthusiastic Detroit Squad is the sole reason why I’m backing Detroit but because they have the best coach in the league

“It’s the most fun I’ve had coaching in a couple years, by far, just because we have a real enthusiastic group,’ Babcock said. “At the start of the year, we weren’t a good team. We all understood that, but we buckled down and we got better. It’s been fun for us. If you would have asked me before the playoffs, I would’ve told you the same thing. Then suddenly you have a little success in the playoffs – and it’s more fun.”

With the Wings at home and coming off a win in Chicago, I recommend taking this game for $500 and not the usual $100. Between the home crowd and momentum swing in Detroit’s favor this is worth the big risk.

Detroit Red Wings +124 (risking $500 to win $620)

They aren’t a bunch of gods, in fact Pittsburgh won that game solely because Ottawa was too anxious in game one. They entered the game shaky and let the pressure get to them, when in reality the pressure is on Pittsburgh being the number one seed.

The best penalty killing team in the league looked like the worst game one and allowing Pittsburgh to score on 2 out of 3 power plays shows that. Yes, I will give credit to Pitt’s power play it’s the most lethal thing I have ever seen and at times just isn’t fair to compete with.

But, if any team in the East is going to shut down the Penguins it can and will be the Senators if they just take a deep breath and play hockey like they have done all season long. Getting too anxious and skating on egg shells is what will cause them to go down 0-2 in the series if they play like they did last game, tonight.

I don’t expect the “Pesky Sens” though to come out like they did last game.

Although Pitt dominated period one in game one, Ottawa did settle it down a bit in period two and one bad penalty put them in a hole that they never dug out of.

So the first key to tonight’s game?

(1) STAY OUT OF THE PUCKING PENALTY BOX!

If Ottawa can do this very simple task, they have a legitimate shot at winning game two. As you already know, you as a team cannot allow a team like Pittsburgh to go on the power play. Especially 3 times in one game!

Key number two?

(2) SCORE ON THE PUCKING POWER PLAY!

Ottawa had three power plays in game one and DID NOT score on a single one of them, which eventually ended up being the difference maker in game one. When the other team causes a no no, take advantage of it and SCORE!

Last key to the game?

(3) ESTABLISH A STRONG PUCKING FORECHECK!

As Mike Milbury said before he almost dropped the jacket with Jeremey Roenick on the NBC SportsNetwork, establish a strong forecheck and get physical with the Penguins or else it’s going to be a 4 game sweep.

Ottawa at times would dump the puck in then attempt to forecheck but peel back and allow the Penguins to get out of the zone, way too easily. I honestly felt like I was watching a middle school team playing a varsity team.

Game two prediction?

Look for the Senators to play much differently than in game one with those three keys to the game in mind. If Ottawa can play disciplined, establish a strong forecheck and capitalize on the power play, they will win game two.

The odds are in our favor and as I said in my game one write-up, I will continue to tail the Senators at these odds.

Ottawa Senators +180 (risking $100 to win $180)

Sure the absence of Niklas Lidstrom is a “problem” but last I checked Lidstrom and the Wings were knocked out of the first round last season against a team that didn’t even make it into the playoffs this season. Unlike last year, captain Henrik Zetterberg carried his team on his shoulders and brought them into the semifinals against the over hyped Chicago Blackhawks.

Now don’t take what I said to heart or the wrong way, the Blackhawks are a very good team and they did defeat a offensive-less Wild team in 5 games. Although I picked the Wild to advance I clearly was on the wrong side, but then again if Backstrom never got hurt who knows what could have happened.

The Hawks dominated all season long and yes they do have the squad to win another Stanley Cup BUT is the pressure too much for them to handle in the playoffs? Especially against a Mike Babcock squad who almost ended their streak back in the regular season, if it weren’t for a Johan Franzen shot that went off the post.

Corey Crawford silenced all the critics especially me and the same goes for Jimmy Howard. They were both spectacular in net this season and have been in the playoffs so far. But in order for their team to win they will both need to be stellar once again. Kind of like they were back on March 3rd when Chicago won in a shootout 2-1.

When I think back to that game that took place on March 3rd I already saw a playoff atmosphere game between these two clubs. Detroit brought everything they had to Chicago and nearly almost beat them, like I said if it weren’t for a Franzen shot that went off the post. Babcock had his team ready for that game to end the streak and I expect the same to happen not only in this series but tonight in game one.

Prediction

If Chicago wants to win this game they will need shots and goals from all four lines tonight. The Wings system can shut down top players and I expect that to happen tonight. Jonathan Towes and Patrick Kane didn’t contribute much in the quarterfinals but they will need to step up in the semifinals if they wan’t to beat the Red Wings.

If Detroit wants to win game one the line of Zetterberg, Datsyuk and Franzen will need to pick right back up were they left off in the quarterfinals. They will need to continue to get strong goaltending from Jimmy Howard as well as tight defense.

When I look at each team’s first round opponent I see a Chicago team that breezed through a Minnesota team that had nothing on offense. Crawford pretty much had it easy. Then I look at a Detroit team that had to overcome a highly offensive Anaheim team and Jonas Hiller in net. It wasn’t easy for Howard.

In my opinion game one between these two clubs is the game where the tone will be set. Whichever team wants it more and keeps their legs moving for a full 60 minutes is the team that will get the job done.

As far as a pick for tonight’s game I tip my hat to Babcock and the Wings. They have the experience up front, as do the Hawks, but they are the underdogs in the match-up and the pressure is not on them as it is on Chicago. Chicago is facing a much better team than they did in the first round, and a much better goaltender.

It won’t be an easy victory for Detroit, it may even take overtime but give me the Red Wings and the +175 money line odds as I will ride them most likely every game if they continue to be this much of an underdog.

Detroit Red Wings +175 (risking $100 to win $175)

A questionable call on Concacher which led to Pittsburgh’s third goal Ottawa still out worked Pittsburgh in the period. If they keep it up good things will happen but they need to get tougher and more aggressive on the forecheck.

By the way, did you guys see Jeremy Roenick and Mike Milbury almost drop the jackets during the intermission?

Pittsburgh opened the scoring on the power play, what else is new. Ottawa responded by getting a dirty goal, although it was a mistake on Vokoun’s part. Pittsburgh’s third goal came from a Cowen turnover behind the net and a Malkin tip in the crease past Anderson. Cowen allowed Malkin to stand there untouched by the way.

Like I said neither team has shown much defense but expect the Senators and Penguins to settle in for the second period. Ottawa has the defense to shut down Pittsburgh’s offense but they need to settle in and STAY OUT of the penalty box.

Ottawa didn’t have many chances in the first period but the chances that they did have they exposed Pittsburgh’s defense. A few butterflies in their stomachs caused them to miss a couple of wide open nets, the butterflies should be gone now though.

Not sure what Ottawa was doing on the back-end in that period but they just need to realize that Pittsburgh is just a HOCKEY team. They aren’t God or anything special, sure offensively talented but on the back-end especially in net, they are a pandemic.

The Wild screwed up my playoff bracket and although it was a long shot I still believe if Niklas Backstrom never got hurt Minnesota would have knocked off the Blackhawks. Then again, Backstrom’s middle name is “injury”.

It’s OK though because if any team left in the West can knock out Chicago it is Detroit.

DETROIT RED WINGS (7) vs CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS (1)

It’s an original 6 match-up and if you think back to the regular season it was Mike Babcock’s squad who almost defeated Chicago in regulation, when Chicago had that incredible streak going on. Needless to say Patrick Kane rallied the team, tied the game then won it in a shootout.

Don’t expect the same results though.

Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg is finally living up to the hype and he is filling Lindstrom’s skates. He’s playing like he deserves to be captain and he is making the organization look brilliant, which is no surprise there.

As many of you already know I am a BIG believer in American born goaltenders, and that is exactly what Jimmy Howard is. The last two Conn Smythe winners were American born goaltenders and Howard could be the next.

Prediction

It comes down to coaching for me in this series and I will back Mike Babcock any day of the week. He dealt with injuries all season and he still kept this young squad in line making the playoffs and knocking off the mighty Anaheim Ducks in 7.

I once used to think Howard didn’t have what it took to win in the playoffs but he has proven me wrong and he has everything it takes to win in the playoffs.

Give me Howard and Babcock in 7.  Detroit Red Wings to advance in 7 games.

SAN JOSE SHARKS (6) vs LOS ANGELES KINGS (5)

It was a nail biter but L.A. got the job done against a legitimate St. Louis Blues team that could have won the Stanley Cup. I underestimated the Blues this season but at the end of the day the Kings got the job done, and for that in my opinion, will be their toughest opponent in the playoffs.

The Shark swept Vancouver but honestly, there’s no surprise there. I’ve said it since 2011 that the Sedin sisters had to go and Luongo had to stay. Obviously Vancouver is thinking the opposite but what do I know, I am just a NHL handicapper? I don’t actually bet these games for a living, right? WRONG!

THE SEDIN SISTERS HAVE GOT TO GO, WAKE UP VANCOUVER!

Prediction

The Sharks have a good squad BUT they traded all of their toughness at the trade deadline and it’s going to hurt them. I said their current toughness would defeat Vancouver, and it did, but let’s be real, you don’t need much toughness to beat the Canucks. I am all about Logan Couture but they will need toughness to beat the Kings, it’s that simple.

I expect Daryl Sutter to rely on Mike Richards this series, and being a big fan of Richards I don’t expect him to disappoint.  The Kings forecheck is back to form as it was last year in the playoffs and as I said earlier, it knocked off a legitimate Stanley Cup team in St. Louis. It will outwork San Jose to the point all the choking Thornton comments will stir back up on Twitter.

By the way did I mention how I’m a big believer in American born goaltenders? Jonathan Quick will represent America in the 2014 Olympics but first he will lead the Kings to the Western Conference finals.

L.A. Kings to advance in 6 games.

If I had to choose, Toronto wins the biggest choke job in history, yes even bigger than losing a 7 game series after being up 3-0. But I still think it’s hilarious that my toilet started to choke when I tried flushing my Ovechkin’s jersey down it last night.

Anyways, here are my semifinal predictions in the East.

OTTAWA SENATORS (7) vs PITTSBURGH PENGUINS (1)

If it weren’t for Tomas Vokoun the Penguins would have been eliminated by the Islanders in the quarterfinals. As a matter of fact the Penguins will most likely continue to start Vokoun throughout this series. If that’s the case then the Penguins now have a 50% chance at knocking off the Senators. They have about a 1% chance if Fleury starts.

But it won’t be easy because unlike last round, the Penguins will have to face a legitimate goaltender, Craig Anderson.

Without him or any of the goaltending in Ottawa who knows where this team would be, 15th in the East possibly? I’ve always said that without excellent goaltending you have no shot at winning the Stanley Cup. Just look at the last two Conn Smythe winners (Tim Thomas and Jonathan Quick). They’re both American born goaltenders and that is exactly what Ottawa has in Anderson.

Prediction

It’s simple for me, it will come down to which team has the better defense and goaltender and the Senators win that vote by a mile or two.

Ottawa Senators to advance in 6 games

NEW YORK RANGERS (6) vs BOSTON BRUINS (4)

This series shouldn’t even be happening right now, well OK the Rangers won and deserved to advance. But the Maple Leafs must have had a ton of money on the Bruins to advance because I didn’t see any positives from Boston the past 3 games. Meaning, Toronto allowed Boston to win and advance, that’s all there is too it.

Boston looked fatigued going into game 5 and it lasted all the way to the final minutes of game 7. New York on the other hand looked locked and ready to fire at all cylinders in the quarterfinals. Then again, they were playing the CHOKING Ovechkin and company.

Prediction

Goaltending will be stellar at both ends of the ice but Boston’s defense may be a concern. They lost two key guys in game 7 vs Toronto and if they aren’t back for this series that will be a HUGE problem for Boston.

Rangers’ Rick Nash has yet to get going, only recording one assist in 7 games. Do they need him to get going? Yes, absolutely. The Bruins unlike the Capitals have fire power up and down their lineup and the only way New York will match that is if Nash starts scoring.

This series is a coin toss for me.

IF the Bruins are healthy on the back-end and they pick up where they left off in game 7, they will advance.

IF the Rangers can get Rick Nash going, yes it’s that simple, they will advance.

Give me the Rangers to advance in 7 games.

To start off this comedy show, let’s take a stab at our good old pal Alex Ovechkin. We already know he’s the easiest to pick on.

By the looks of things, I think we figured out why the Canucks were swept.

Also, Sedin likes to take it in the face! (from the 2011 finals)

Speaking of the Canucks and the dirty ice….

Puck, even the stash got in on this!

And for my favorite one, the best one yet. Mr. Swish Cheese..

I’m not the creator of these and if you happen to be a creator of one of these PLEASE email me puckinghockey@gmail.com

So before the series comes to an end, let’s have some fun with the events that occurred last night between Boston and Toronto.

First, it’s OT and Phaneuf takes a gamble by pinching..yes he tried PINCHING IN OVERTIME! It doesn’t pay off and Bruins David Krejci scores in OT to give the Bruins a 3-1 series lead.

Second, and this is the best one. After Krejci scores James Reimer’s wife April Reimer turns around in the her seat and delivers the biggest stink eye I have ever seen a female deliver, to Dion Phaneuf’s girlfriend Elisha Cuthbert.

Although both ladies came out on Twitter and said the stink eye was towards a fan sitting next to them for rude comments (gee I wonder what was said? “Phaneuf you suck! WTF Phaneuf play defense you bum”!) I still find this pucking hilarious!

Kudos to the camera man for having perfect timing!

To make it much more hilarious, it would have been better if Elisha was the one who turned to April and delivered the stink eye. Because in my opinion although Phaneuf pinched, Reimer should have been able to stop that goal in overtime.

Do yourselves a favor ladies, either find new boyfriends/husbands OR convince your current guys to find a new team to play for. Because this stuff will NEVER end playing for such a big market hockey team.

The one hundred penalty minutes for each team hadn’t happened in a playoff game since the Colorado Avalanche and Detroit Red Wings squared off in game 4 of their series in 1997.

The coaches seem to have a true dislike of one another. It might have started when the Sens defenseman Eric Gryba nailed Lars Eller with a “suspendable” hit. Sens coach Paul McLean blamed the pass, saying that set up Eller in a position to get blindsided. Canadiens coach Michel Therrien took umbrage. Tempers have been at a boil ever since.

Prediction

After such a big win on Sunday (Senators 6-1) I was tempted to take the Canadiens in game 4. Then I saw a good price drop off the opening number in a wise guy joint despite most of the public money on the Senators. That sewed it up for me.

Montreal Canadiens +125 ($100)

Trend

The Canadiens are 8-3 in their last 11 games after allowing 5 or more goals in their previous game.