By: Chris Nosek

Buffalo Sabres @ Boston Bruins (Buffalo leads series 2-1)

This was certainly a game the Bruins need and want to move on from. Without a doubt, the Boston Bruins need to be better, especially at home. After getting Alex Lyon in the game to end game 2, Lindy Ruff turned to him for this game. Lyon stepped up; there are no qualms about that. He went save for save against Jeremy Swayman and gave his team a chance to win the game. The longer this series goes, the more confidence the Sabres are going to continue to build. Both teams have shown they can win this series. It’s going to come down to which team plays more disciplined in their game, the longest.

Original Prediction: Boston Bruins advance in 6 games
Prediction after game 1: Boston Bruins advance in 6 games
Prediction after game 2: Boston Bruins advance in 6 games
New Prediction: Boston Bruins advance in 7 games

Carolina Hurricanes @ Ottawa Senators (CAR leads 3-0)

We’ve seen the best of the Ottawa Senators, and they’re still down three games to zero. The way the Senators were playing coming into the playoffs was fantastic, and that has not carried over. The Senators continue to draw into the game that Carolina wants to play. They still need to do more to test Frederik Andersen. Yes, he’s had great moments and some solid saves, but he’s also shown he still can be beaten. The only question at this point is whether the Senators can win a game in this series. We’ve seen the best from the Sens, so in my opinion, this series is over – we’re three games in, and they have yet to hold a lead.

Original Prediction: Ottawa Senators win in 7 games
Prediction after game 1: Carolina Hurricanes win in 5 games
Prediction after game 2: Carolina Hurricanes advance in 4 games
New Prediction: Carolina Hurricanes advance in 4 games

Colorado Avalanche @ Los Angeles Kings (COL leads 3-0)

Coming into this series, the question was how many games the Kings could win in the series. It looks like I, like many, gave the Kings a lot more credit than they deserved coming into this series. Maybe, against any other opponent, they’d have had a chance to win the series. At this point, like the Senators in their series, we’ve seen the best they have to offer. They’ve still come up short. Oh, let’s also note that Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon each have only one point in this series. The Kings are shutting down the two best players on the Avs, and they’re still down three games. There’s really no chance for the Kings to come back in this series.

Original Prediction: Colorado Avalanche advance in 6 games
Prediction after game 1: Colorado Avalanche advance in 5 games
Prediction after game 2: Colorado Avalanche advance in 4 games
New Prediction: Colorado Avalanche advance in 4 games