If you want to introduce someone to the world’s fastest and greatest sport this weekend, it would be the time to get it done as Santa Claus has arrived early with a sack full of phenomenal weekend action that carries potential playoff matchups of the future. Hockey fans will again be smirking about the great lineup of quality fast paced action that surpasses anything Roger Goodell will be passing off to the masses this weekend.
Saturday
Los Angeles vs. Arizona: A Saturday matinee with the Stanley Cup champions begins the weekend of action as the Los Angeles Kings return home for just the second game that followed a five game road trip to host the reeling Arizona Coyotes at Staples Center with faceoff time set for 4 PM ET. The Kings are at their best at home with a mark of 11-4-0-1 and will be anxious to rebuild momentum as they hang around the area of the final Western Conference playoff spot. Arizona has ugly metrics of 26th for goal scoring and 27th for goals against with just 10 wins in their first 30 games.
Toronto vs. Philadelphia: The red hot Toronto Maple Leafs will host the inconsistent Philadelphia Flyers at Air Canada Center with coverage on CBC Hockey Night in Canada starting at 7 PM ET. The Leafs were the hottest team in the league but their lack of defense remains a ticking time bomb. Defense is also a liability for the Flyers, not to mention their subpar goaltending. Phil Kessel is keeping the lamp lit for Toronto with 15 goals as Leaf Nation is in a frenzy of new found hope.
New York vs. Tampa Bay: A game not to miss is the New York Islanders hosting the Tampa Bay Lighting with faceoff at the Nassau Veterans Memorila Coliseum set for 7 PM ET. The Islanders are one of the most entertaining and skilled teams in the league and have reignited the mad passion of their fan base that has had the 42 year old barn on Long Island rocking in its final season. The Isles were in a neck and neck race with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Metropolitan Division while the Lighting were jockeying in a back and forth race for first place in the Atlantic Division with the Detroit Red Wings. Two forwards make this must see TV with Steven Stamkos (17 goals) for Tampa Bay and John Tavares (12 goals) for the Islanders.
Sunday
Chicago vs. Toronto: An Original Six matchup highlights Sunday as the Chicago Blackhawks host the Toronto Maple Leafs at United Center with coverage on NHLN US, CITY, and WGN starting at 7 PM ET. This will be a tough matchup for both teams as Chicago will be coming off a Saturday night game at Columbus while the Leafs will have hosted the aforementioned game against the Flyers. Chicago ranked second in the NHL for goals against and that strong defense may prove to be the difference in this matchup.
Monday
San Jose vs. Anaheim: The San Jose Sharks will hit the road to face their intrastate California rival Anaheim Ducks in an important Pacific Division matchup that is a classic “four point game.” Faceoff is set for 10 PM ET at the Honda Center. It took a while for the Sharks to get going but they have been playing their best hockey of the season with seven wins in eight games to climb into third place and the final automatic playoff spot in the Pacific Division. San Jose has made their move with vastly improved play on the back end and in goal.
The Ducks, meanwhile, have been number one in the overall standings of the NHL as head coach Bruce Boudreau is again delivering a top quality regular season. The harsh judgment of the Stanley Cup playoffs will be where “Gabby” and the Ducks will ultimately be judged. San Jose’s Joe Pavelski picked up where he left off last season with a team high 15 goals. Sharks G Antti Niemi had a hot December with a .940 save percentage. This will be a matchup of top quality teams that could have enough to win the Western Conference.
