The Los Angeles Kings have found the form that has made them Stanley Cup champions in two out of the last three seasons. The resurgent Kings are coming off an impressive 2-1 Stadium Series win at San Jose to finally climb back into the final Western Conference playoff spot.
The Montreal Canadiens are the top team in the Eastern Conference but do not garner the respect that such a record would normally bring. Montreal is derided for being too reliant upon goaltender Carey Price and for their lack of consistent offensive production.
The St. Louis Blues are a Stanley Cup contender but continue to also face doubts based in large part upon their continual failures in the playoffs.
The Kings, Habs, and Blues are all in action Tuesday in what are easily the two best games on the board. Let’s take a look.
Montreal Canadiens vs. St. Louis Blues: Faceoff from Scottrade Center is set for 8 PM ET. This is a potential Stanley Cup Final. Montreal is tops in the Eastern Conference with 81 points while St. Louis is second in the Western Conference, six points behind Nashville. Montreal has won six out of their last nine games while St. Louis has won four out of their last six.
What to watch: The Blues are one of the better balanced teams in the NHL with rankings of fifth for goal scoring, fourth for the power play, and seventh for goals against. Montreal continues to struggle to generate offense. The Habs rank 23rd in the NHL for goal scoring, 24th for shots, and 25th for the power play. The Canadiens strength is defense as they have allowed the fewest goals in the NHL despite ranking 22nd for shots allowed.
Who to watch: Montreal defenseman P.K. Subban is one of the most exciting and dynamic players in the game. Subban can hit, has a nuclear bomb shot from the point, is an excellent playmaker, and isn’t afraid to take risks. Subban has 11 goals and a team-best 31 assists. Montreal goalie Carey Price has a .935 save percentage with five shutouts. Price has stolen several games for the Habs and is a legitimate Hart Trophy candidate for Most Valuable Player, a rarity for a goalie. Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko is a lethal sniper with a nose for the net and a team-high 31 goals. Blues goalie Brian Elliott has slumped with a .897 save percentage this month. This game serves as a credibility test for Elliott in going up against Price. Elliott still faces doubters about his bona fides as a top netminder and beating Price, the best in the game, would serve as a major confidence boost.
Why to watch: This is a high quality matchup by two well-coached teams. It features two of the best teams, uniforms, and iconic logos in the game. This would be an outstanding Stanley Cup Final if it would come to fruition. The Blues offensive ability would seem to give them an advantage but Price more than evens that out.
Detroit Red Wings at Los Angeles Kings: Faceoff from Staples Center is set for 10:30 PM ET. Detroit has lost three out of their last five games to fall to sixth place in the Eastern Conference. The Kings are the hottest team in the league with a seven-game winning streak and have climbed to eighth place in the Western Conference.
What to watch: The contrast of the heavy play of the Kings and their momentum against the more finesse oriented Red Wings. The Kings can resemble a force of nature when they are on their game. Detroit has the top ranked power play in the NHL compared to the Kings ranking of 24th for penalty killing.
Who to watch: Kings goalie Jonathan Quick is back in form with a .944 save percentage in his last five games. Kings center Tyler Taffoli has six goals and three assists in February to lead a re-tooled and resurgent That Seventies Line. LA center Jeff Carter also has the hot hand with four goals and six assists this month. Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk is among the top puck carriers and playmakers in the game. Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard has cooled off with a .904 save percentage in February.
Why to watch: The defending Stanley Cup Champion Kings are the hottest team in the league but will face a dangerous Detroit team that is well coached and will have plenty of fan support as the top traveling team in the NHL. The contrast in playing styles and abilities of both teams make for a compelling matchup.
