Top 5: NHL games to watch and wager down the stretch
By ARI BAUM-COHEN
With so many teams fighting for playoff positioning, there are interesting games on the NHL schedule almost every day. Here are our five favourites:
Edmonton Oilers at Calgary Flames, Saturday April 11
As if the Battle of Alberta wasn’t exciting enough, the Flames and Oilers will finish the season on Hockey Night in Canada having played each other the previous evening. This game will likely have major playoff implications for Edmonton, currently fighting for one of the remaining two playoff spots in the Western Conference. This will probably be an important game for the Flames, as they suddenly find themselves competing with Vancouver for the Northwest Division title.
New York Rangers at Philadelphia Flyers, Sunday April 12
The Flyers and Rangers end their regular seasons by battling for the fourth time over the span of a month. These teams will be tired of each other and will probably need every point they can to ensure the best playoff position. This game will be a hard-fought, physical game with a playoff-type atmosphere.
Montreal Canadiens at Boston Bruins, Thursday April 9
Talk about role reversal. Last year the surprising Habs finished first in the Eastern Conference. They were 8-0-0 against the Bruins during the regular season and played Boston, the No. 8 seed, in the first round of the playoffs. This year the surprising Bruins are first in the Eastern Conference. They are 4-0-1 against the Habs during the regular season, and the most likely playoff scenario has them playing Montreal, the No. 1 seed, in the first round of the playoffs. This is the most difficult game remaining on Montreal’s schedule. Boston will be looking to clinch first place in the Eastern Conference and Montreal has not been playing well lately.
Calgary Flames at Vancouver Canucks, Tuesday April 7
Already a great rivalry, the winner of this Flames-Canucks tilt could determine who wins the Northeast Division. Calgary’s division lead over the Canucks has disappeared and these teams will be battling for division supremacy down the stretch. While Vancouver has the luxury of closing out the season against Los Angeles and Colorado, Calgary must play back-to-back nights in a home-and-home against the Oilers. The atmosphere inside GM Place will be electric for this crucial game.
New Jersey at New York Rangers, Monday March 30
These teams met in the playoffs last year and bad feelings remain. Sean Avery was at his best, waiving his stick in front of Martin Brodeur as a creative way to screen him en route to calling him “fatso”. Avery’s antics have not been forgotten and it should make for a colourful game with massive playoff implications for the Rangers.