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Leafs look for secondary scoring vs. Bruins; Tippett for Avs coach? (Puck Previews)

Sean Leahy
·Contributing writer

Here are your Puck Previews: Spotlighting the key games in NHL action, news and views as well as general frivolity. Make sure to stop back here for the nightly Three Stars when the games are finished.

Preview: Boston Bruins at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m. ET (Bruins lead 2-1) The Maple Leafs have been carried in this series by the scoring exploits of their top dogs. James Van Riemsdyk, Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul have contributed six of their seven goals through three games. As James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail writes, the secondary scoring has to arrive if they're to get past the Bruins: "Kessel’s rise there has as much to do with a lot of the Leafs depth going silent as his strong play, with van Riemsdyk and Joffrey Lupul the only other forwards managing more than five points in Toronto’s final 12 regular-season games."

Preview: Washington Capitals at New York Rangers, 7:30 p.m. ET. (Caps lead 2-1) According to Ryane Clowe, there's a "good chance" he'll return to the lineup Wednesday night. As important, New York finally broke through on the power play in Game 3 as the Capitals ended up taking six penalties. Special teams have hurt the Rangers so far. Brooks Laich hit the ice for the first time since April 4, but when he'll get back into the lineup is still unknown.

Preview: Los Angeles Kings at St. Louis Blues, 9 p.m. ET (Series tied 2-2) After finding themselves in an 0-2 hole, the Kings took advantage of home ice and won both games at Staples Center to even the series. Entering Game 5, it appears as if Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock will reunite the "CPR" line of Adam Cracknell, Chris Porter and Ryan Reaves.


Preview: Detroit Red Wings at Anaheim Ducks, 10 p.m. ET (Series tied 2-2) Just why can't Niklas Kronwall keep a straight face during an interview? Thank Carlo Colaiacovo. Meanwhile, Corey Perry is keeping a straight face while only contributing an assist through the first four games.

Check out previews and updated scores for all of today's games on the Y! Sports NHL scores and scheds page. For tonight's starting goalies, check out Goalie Post.

Evening Reading

• Nick Cotsonika on Jaromir Jagr making another run at the Stanley Cup. [Y!]

• Dave Tippett's contract with the Phoenix Coyotes run out on June 30. Should the Colorado Avalanche make a run at him? [Denver Post]

Evening Listening

• Los Angeles Kings voice Bob Miller and it's Going Postal Wednesday. [Marek Vs. Wyshynski; subscribe via iTunes]

Puck Daddy Reader Comment of the Day: "The Kayaking Chemist" on the goalie change in Pittsburgh:

If the Penguins can't slow down the Islanders in the neutral zone, and they keep turning the puck over at rates normally reserved for pee-wee teams, the goaltender is not going to matter.

Fleury has been awful, and Bylsma is doing the right thing by going to Vokoun, but the rest of the defense needs to play much better in front of whomever the goalie is. Eaton looks too slow, Niskanen is getting abused, and Letang is stickhandling himself right into trouble (and cross-checking officials, apparently). Blind cross-ice passes are not the way to beat a team that has a ton of speed, which the Islanders possess on 3 lines.

All that said, give the Isles some credit for using their speed to disrupt what the Penguins want to do on defense. They're forcing turnovers and being aggressive to create odd-man rushes.

Bold Prediction: All four road teams win in regulation.