The Wraparound is your daily look at the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs. We’ll break down all of the NHL playoff games today with the all-important television and live streaming information included.
- Check out NHL Bubble Wrap to look back at all of Friday’s action.
- Could Alain Vigneault - Kirk Muller become the next great coaching feud? That would be impressive from Muller, who’s doing fill-in duty in the first place.
- Every now and then, we’re getting back-to-back matchups in the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Could that help or hinder the Coyotes as they try to make it a series against the Avs?
- It’s not really playoff time without some Tom Wilson controversy, right?
NHL PLAYOFF GAMES TODAY
Game 3: Bruins vs. Hurricanes (Series tied 1-1) - 12 p.m. ET – NBC; livestream
Even with David Pastrnak banged up (he missed Game 2), there’s been plenty of drama on and off the ice during this series, and it’s early. That’s the plus side of the Presidents’ Trophy-winning team falling to the fourth seed under these unusual circumstances; this powerhouse Bruins team is facing a dangerous upstart squad, and it shows. Expect more twists and turns in Game 3, and beyond.
Speaking of twists and turns, the Bruins announced that Tuukka Rask opted out of the NHL Return to Play. As you can see from the video above, Rask recently made comments about not being in “prime shape” and also lamented the lack of fans. This is a huge loss for the Bruins, but Jaroslav Halak is an inexperienced goalie, and one of the best backups in the NHL. In other words, the Bruins are as well-equipped as any team to handle this.
But, considering how difficult an opponent the Hurricanes are, the mountain just got taller for the Bruins.
Game 3: Avalanche vs. Coyotes (COL leads 2-0) - 3 p.m. ET – CNBC; livestream
After being outclassed and colossally outshot in a Game 1 loss, the Coyotes gave the Avalanche a run for their money in Game 2. Unfortunately for Arizona, they still ended up empty-handed, as the Avs won Game 2 by a score of 3-2 on Friday. Will the quick turnaround of a back-to-back serve as an advantage to either team? As heartening as an improved effort was in Game 2, the Coyotes badly need this one.
[Full NHL First Round schedule]
Game 3: Lightning vs. Blue Jackets (Series tied 1-1) - 7:30 p.m ET – NBCSN; livestream
So, the Lightning won some obscure five-overtime marathon. You’d think that such a jarring loss would take some wind out of the sails of the scrappy Blue Jackets, right? Well ... not exactly. While the Lightning looked OK on paper, the Blue Jackets won Game 2 by a comfortable-enough margin, and in a tidy 60 minutes to boot. Maybe you should expect the unexpected in Game 3, then. Actually, it’s fair to ask: what should we expect at this point? These two teams keep throwing curveballs, so maybe a knuckleball this time around?
(As of this writing, it doesn’t sound like Steven Stamkos will be available for the Lightning.)
Game 3: Blackhawks vs. Golden Knights (VGK leads 2-0) - 8 p.m ET – NBC; livestream
From the third period of Game 1 through the first period of Game 2, the Golden Knights dominated the Blackhawks as many expected. This is hockey, though, and the Blackhawks still boast the remnants of a Jonathan Toews - Patrick Kane duo that won three Stanley Cups. They showed serious spirit in pushing Game 2 to OT, but lost. They may need to dig even deeper to win Game 3, and make this a closer series than some anticipated.
[NBC 2020 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF HUB]
SUNDAY’S NHL PLAYOFF GAMES SCHEDULE
Game 3: Capitals vs. Islanders - 12 p.m. ET – USA
Game 4: Stars vs. Flames - 2 p.m. ET – CNBC
Game 4: Golden Knights vs. Blackhawks - 6:30 p.m ET – NBCSN
Game 3: Flyers vs. Canadiens - 8 p.m ET – NBC
Game 3: Blues vs. Canucks - 10:30 p.m. ET - NBCSN
PHT’s 2020 Stanley Cup playoff previews Flyers vs. Canadiens Lightning vs. Blue Jackets Capitals vs. Islanders Bruins vs. Hurricanes
Golden Knights vs. Blackhawks
Avalanche vs. Coyotes
Blues vs. Canucks
Stars vs. Flames
First Round predictions
Power Rankings: Best First Round matchups
Conn Smythe Watch: Korpisalo, Aho leading entering First Round
Roundtable: NHL playoff surprises; vulnerable top seeds
