Hockey Night in Canada

muckies writes "Saturday night in Canada, it's all about hockey and making the playoffs.

Toronto has 1 simple objective tonite, and that is get to .500% on home ice. The fans know, the coach knows, the players know and the management knows they will not make the playoffs unless they have a winning record at home. Toronto has struggled at home with their game and their fans, and if they get down tonite against Pitt, the fans might start to annoy, boo again and put a ton of pressure on their team. The Leafs have to give their city a solid reason to believe, if they lose tonite there will be huge pressure. They have been hot lately, but are still not in the playoffs. They have proved they can win away from the ACC, and now have to become a solid home team. This is a huge game for the Leafs, they need to get the momentum back from their road trip, they got pounded by Pitt last time they met, and players like Raycroft and Poni want to stay in the zone they have been in since the All-Star break. This is NOT a must win for the Habs, but they have to at least get there game back and become a solid 5 man unit on the ice. Even is they lose, if they can keep the game close and battle for 60 minutes, they can build confidence from there to get into the playoffs. The Habs will get Markov back, who just might be the teams best player and he will help in every category. Samsonov is back and may have a huge game, but he may not.There have been a ton of distractions in Montreal recently with the Crosby show in town and his media battle with Downie, the Samsonov scene, trade talk for Forsberg and Bertuzzi and Coach Carbeneau looking like he is about to burst a forehead vein. The Bottom line is Montreal has to get its confidence back, has to play united, and has to keep the game close. With the Samsonov and Markov back in the line-up, this may be the roster the team goes with to get them into the playoffs – they have to play well together and find their game. Ottawa looks like they are ready to go on a run. A lose tonite to the habs and the team will be in a mini state of panic. Ottawa has not found it’s game since the All-Star break, and the solid win against Montreal Thursday coupled with a win tonite would put them back on track. Montreal will be better tonite on the ice and on paper, and if Ottawa loses tonite they will not have carved a late season identity they are looking for.GM John Muckler has been a distraction to the team recently. A media conference recently had him saying they are looking to make a trade, and send somebody off their roster. He said the team has not decided if they want to keep Phillips after-all, and have not ruled out trading him. In a team when the team is trying to gel and build chemistry for the playoffs, it has seemed to effect the game of players mentioned in the trade rumours like Vermette and Kelly. A win tonite would quite the trade talk and give Muckler another reason to not tinker with his line-up. Vancouver is in tough against the Thrashers, they got shut out Patty Lalime and the team has had trouble scoring from behind all season. The Thrashers can score in bunches, but also give up goals in bunches and Vancouver will want to play a classic tight checking game and counter attack. The Thrashers are a team the Canucks are built to beat, they want to take the dangling pucks away from the offensive Thrashers players and make them pay for being fancy, the Canucks want to play disciplined and stay out of the box. The Thrashers take lots of penalties and Vancouver loves their PP. This game will not be the emotional conference match-ups Vancouver has with Edmonton, Colorado, Minny and Calgary, but it is a very important game. Vancouver knows if they play their system well, they will win. Two Hart trophy candidates lock horns with Hossa and Luongo. Calgary is coming off of 2 losses, and they play the best team in the NHL. BUT Calgary loves playing teams like Buffalo, teams that are smaller, rely on skill, and don’t like to be hit. Calgary will hit them, scare them, frustrate them, use their size and intensity to make the Sabers give up and go away. The Sabers just might be exactly what the Flames need to get them back on track. A win tonite will prove to the Flames they are one of the NHL elite teams, and they can beat smaller, more skilled teams by playing their game. The Sabers are a team that is chippy when challenged, and look for some serious fireworks tonite when the puck drops. Calgary will not give an inch, and Lindy Ruff loves a tough style, knock down type of game, even if his time isn’t built for that. This will be a serious test for the Sabers, and Calgary will be in the center of the ring looking for a fight. Should be a great game, skill vs. toughness, tight checking vs. offensive attack and two great goalies. "