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PHT Morning Skate: Bruins seek to even-up, Ducks-Kings face Game 1

Jarome Iginla, Dale Weise, P.K. Subban

Boston Bruins right wing Jarome Iginla (12) grapples along the boards with Montreal Canadiens right wing Dale Weise (22) and defenseman P.K. Subban during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey second-round playoff series in Boston, Thursday, May 1, 2014. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

AP

Got any plans today? Let’s hope they involve spending the day in front of the TV.

Game 2 between Boston and Montreal starts off a day filled with sports fun and is closed out by Game 1 of the Southern California battle between Anaheim and Los Angeles.

The Bruins are hoping to head to Montreal with the series tied up 1-1, but the Canadiens would be giddy to steal two at TD Garden. Meanwhile in Orange County, the Ducks and Kings face off in the postseason for the first time.

Game 2: Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens [Montreal leads series 1-0] (12:30 p.m. ET -- NBC)

It’s safe to say the Bruins hope the same Carey Price doesn’t come to play this afternoon. Price stopped 48 shots in Montreal’s double-overtime win on Thursday and looked every bit the part of a guy who had a great season in goal.

While the Bruins were able to overcome an early deficit in Game 1, the number of shots poured in by Boston has to be a concern for the Canadiens. Giving the likes of David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron more time to create and fire away seems like a bad battle plan.

One thing the Canadiens have to expect is for Tuukka Rask to bounce back with a big game. After Game 1, Rask was less-than enthusiastic about his own play and knowing his style of play, he might turn into a Finnish wall in Game 2.

Game 1: Anaheim Ducks vs. Los Angeles Kings (8:00 p.m. ET -- NBCSN)

Seeing the Ducks and Kings face each other in the playoffs for the first time is a momentous occasion for SoCal hockey. What makes it even better is having a pair of teams who are strong Stanley Cup contenders facing each other.

The Ducks had a dominant season led by Ryan Getzlaf. Even with a busted jaw against the Dallas Stars, Getzlaf was a force to be reckoned with. Where things get a bit curious for Anaheim is in goal. Frederik Andersen played the majority of the first round, but Jonas Hiller appears to be the go-to guy against L.A.

Los Angeles got their flow back in the nick of time against San Jose coming back from being down 3-0 in the series and winning four in a row to move on. A wide cast of characters helped the Kings move on, but none more impressive than Anze Kopitar. Kopitar had four goals and 10 points against the Sharks. Justin Williams matched him with four goals and Marian Gaborik and Tyler Toffoli each had three. If the Jonathan Quick we saw late in the series shows up, the Ducks will have trouble containing everyone.

During the regular season, the Ducks went 4-0-1 against the Kings and included four one-goal games. What does that mean? Get ready for a great, tight series.

Follow @JoeYerdonPHT