NHL trio pushes for a Game 7

On Monday night, a trio of NHL teams will try and follow the lead of the Phoenix Coyotes and force a deciding game in their first round series. Buffalo would appear to have the most difficult task, winning on the road, but that is what Phoenix did. Montreal and Nashville will at least be on home ice, needing a victory to push a Game 7, both as non-favorites.

Buffalo at Boston 7:00E NESN

The Sabres are scratching their helmets wondering how they are in this predicament. Buffalo has scored the first goal in all five games against Boston and has been ahead or tied over 70 percent of game minutes yet could be eliminated tonight. Buffalo is still hopeful leading scorer Thimas Vanek can go, giving the team a lift.

“I never said I can’t play,” Vanek said. “I wanted to play the last two, but, obviously, we talked. We have to be realistic about it. And I said before, if (Ruff) doesn’t feel like, if we both feel like I can’t really help the team, then there’s no point of going and taking a spot away from somebody else.”

Off their 4-1 win in Game 5, the Sabres are 14-5 after allowing one goal or less in their previous contest this season. Buffalo is a +125 money line underdog to the Bruins and is 3-11 in road games against meager offensive teams scoring 2.55 or fewer goals a game. They will hope Boston’s 2-7 record at home revenging a loss where opponent scored four or more goals this season continues.

Washington at Montreal 7:00E VERSUS

Montreal knows they will have a chance in a Game 7 against top-seeded Washington since they have already won twice on the Capitals home ice this series. Getting there could be the issue as the Canadiens have failed to defeat Washington is both home tilts in the opening round.

Montreal is 6-13 at home in the playoffs since its current streak of sellouts began in 2003. “We appreciate and respect our crowd very much,” Habs forward Michael Cammalleri said Sunday after practice. “It’s the reason why it’s so much fun to play for the Montreal Canadiens. You get chills every game when you get on that ice.”

The Canadiens are +175 home underdogs and have 15 wins in 41 tries as +150 to +200 ML dogs.

Washington found a way to keep this series extended, after falling in previous contest 2-1 and is 23-6 revenging a loss vs. opponent as a home favorite.

“It’s important because it’s an important game,” Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said. “You just have to be ready as we’re sure the crowd will be ready and they will be ready. It will be an electric atmosphere again. The Caps are 41-13 after permitting two or less goals in next outing.

Chicago at Nashville 9:00E VERSUS

The Predators have been one of the most resilient NHL teams all season and their mettle faces a max test in Game 6.

For all intents, Nashville won in Chicago Saturday. Leading 4-3 with 63 seconds, the Preds were going on the power play and didn’t need to score, just ice the puck for the remainder of the contest and head home for potential series upset.

Instead the Blackhawks scored a shorthanded goal with 13.6 seconds remaining and won in overtime 5-4.

“This game is certainly difficult, the hardest way to lose as possible,” Nashville defenseman Dan Hamhuis said Sunday. “It’s going to take a little bit more to rebound from it. Sometimes when things go really bad, you bounce back even harder and come out with a better effort again.” Nashville is 27-13 revenging a loss.

The Predators are +145 ML home underdogs; however is 8-3 if opposing club scored five or more goals in last encounter. Chicago knows how lucky they were; nevertheless they made their own breaks and have won last nine of 12 as postseason chalk.