It’s a strong lineup for the NHL on Thursday night with matchups that have plenty of playoff implications and includes one that could be a preview of the Stanley Cup Final. NBCSN also offers a playoff rematch from last year. Let’s take a look at the best from Thursday’s schedule.
Nashville Predators at New York Islanders: Faceoff from Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum is set for 7 PM ET. Incredibly enough this could be a potential preview of the Stanley Cup Final. The Predators rank as one of the most complete teams in the NHL and boast the league’s deepest defensive corps and top goaltender in Pekka Rinne. This is the best look at Lord Stanley that the Preds have had in their history. Nashville is all-in as proven in their trade over the weekend with the Toronto Maple Leafs in which they acquired defenseman Cody Franson and center Mike Santorelli. Nashville center Filip Forsberg is a Calder Trophy candidate for Rookie of the Year with 19 goals and 31 assists. Depth at center remains a concern for the Preds playoff viability. The Preds dominated San Jose in a 5-1 win on Tuesday. Rinne has an insane .932 save percentage with three shutouts. Hockeytonk has a buzz never seen at this level in Preds history.
Defense and goaltending is the weak link for the Islanders as evidenced in Monday’s 6-5 home loss to the New York Rangers in which they allowed three third period goals. What the Isles do boast is the NHL’s third ranked goal scoring unit led by their captain, center John Tavares, who has 28 goals. The Isles got back on track with a 4-1 win at Carolina on Tuesday.
Vancouver Canucks at New York Rangers: Faceoff from Madison Square Garden is set for 7 PM ET. The defending Eastern Conference champion Rangers are in top form with seven wins in their last nine games following a sensational 6-5 comeback win at the Islanders on Monday night. The Rangers have the look of a championship team as they rank second in the NHL for goal scoring and fourth for goals against. New York is pressing forward without top goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who is out until March with a neck/vessel issue after he was struck by a puck near the throat area earlier this month. At first the injury appeared minor but it was later revealed to have been life threatening. Lundqvist will not return until doctors are certain that he is in the clear. If the Rangers can get King Henrik back fully healthy and rested they will be a dangerous playoff opponent.
The Canucks are hanging in there for one of the final Western Conference playoff spots and have won three out of their last four games. Goaltender Ryan Miller’s inconsistent play remains a concern for the Canucks. Miller has an underwhelming save percentage of .890 in February.
Winnipeg Jets at Washington Capitals: Faceoff from the Verizon Center is set for 7 PM ET. With the Evander Kane issue snuffed out completely by his trade to Buffalo, the Jets are refocused on gaining the playoffs. Winnipeg has won four out of five with five out of their last seven games going to overtime with the last two of those OT games going to a shootout. Center Bryan Little has emerged as a key figure for Winnipeg with 23 goals while left winger Andrew Ladd has lit the lamp 20 times. Goaltender Michael Hutchinson continues to press for more playing time with a .920 save percentage. Defenseman Dustin Byfuglien has emerged as a key leader and thundering hitter with skills. Big Buff has 14 goals and 26 assists.
Alex Ovechkin is in contention for the Hart Trophy as the NHL Most Valuable Player. The Great Eight is playing a full 200-foot game with 37 goals, 22 assists and a plus-11. Goaltender Braden Holtby is inspiring confidence with a .924 save percentage.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Pittsburgh Penguins: Faceoff from the Consol Energy Center is set for 7 PM ET with coverage on NBCSN. This is a rematch of a playoff series from last year that Pittsburgh took in six games. It has been a sad and lost season for the injury ravaged Blue Jackets after their magical playoff season one year ago. Columbus has lost five out of their last eight and is outclassed without goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who is on injured reserve with a lower body issue. The Pens have won four out of their last six.
