The Atlantic Division leading Montreal Canadiens and Metropolitan Division leading Pittsburgh Penguins are in a neck and neck race for the top seed in the Eastern Conference and will meet on Saturday night in Montreal to highlight an outstanding weekend lineup. Let’s take a look at who and what to watch this weekend in the NHL.
–Saturday–
Pittsburgh vs. Montreal: This is a potential preview of the Eastern Conference Final. CBC and NHL Netword US will provide coverage at 7 PM ET. The Penguins will seek revenge for last Saturday’s 4-1 home loss to Montreal. First year head coach Mike Johnston has been a breath of fresh air for the Pens as they are flourishing with a full 200 foot game. Goalie Marc Andre Fleury is off to a phenomenal start with a .926 save percentage and six shutouts. Penguin centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were tied for the team lead in scoring while D Kris Letang was the bedrock of an improved and underrated blue line corps.
Montreal G Carey Price was superb so far with a save percentage of .929. LW Max Pacioretty triggered the Habs offense with 16 goals while D PK Subban is again a Norris Trophy candidate eight goals, 19 assists, and a +10 while going up against the top opposing lines each shift.
Detroit vs. Washington: Faceoff is at 7 PM ET for a potential Eastern Conference playoff preview. This matchup will be loaded with skill and offensive talent. The Capitals were in their best stretch of the season with six wins in eight games as the system of first year head coach Barry Trotz was kicking in. LW Alex Ovechkin caught fire and had a team high 19 goals while C Nicklas Backstrom had 12 goals and 27 assists. Defensemen John Carlson and Mike Green were developing into key assets. G Braden Holtby played with increased confidence and flashed a .920 save percentage.
Detroit was slumping with seven losses in 10 games as their early season success may have outperformed reality. C Pavel Datsyuk is a magician with the puck and had 13 goals with 15 assists. LW’s Henrik Zetterberg and Tomas Tartar along with C Gustav Nyquist make the Wings a highly entertaining team of skill. G Jimmy Howard remained solid with a .921 save percentage.
Winnipeg vs. Los Angeles: Faceoff is set form 10 PM ET with coverage on Sportsnet. This is a critical matchup in the Western Conference playoff race as the Jets and Kings were tied for the seventh and eighth spots. Winnipeg has been winning with mirrors as four out of their top six defensemen are out with injury and yet they rank fourth in the NHL for goals against.
Goal scoring remains a concern for the Jets as they ranked 22nd in the NHL for goals per game. LW Andrew Ladd and C Bryan Little each had 15 goals. Jets coach Paul Maurice has done a masterful job of implementing a system that fits the ability of his roster with tight checking responsible defense. The Kings are led by D Drew Doughty who is a top shelf Norris Trophy candidate. Doughty is averaging almost 30 minutes per game as the Kings are thin on defense. RW Marion Gaborik has kept the scoring touch that he added to the team in last year’s playoffs as he had 12 goals in 27 games. The trio of Jeff Carter, Anze Kopitar, and Tyler Toffoli make for a deep and multi-talented center corps.
–Sunday–
Minnesota vs. Chicago: Faceoff is at 8 PM ET with coverage on NBCSN. The Wild have gone from a team that seemed to be a top shelf Western Conference contender to a team that has checked out more than in with inconsistent efforts and no answer in goal. Chicago was in Stanley Cup form with RW Patrick Kane leading with 19 goals. “Captain Serious” C Jonathan Toews added 13 goals and 20 assists with a +12. Defensemen Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook are two of the best in the game and reliable G Corey Crawford had a .919 save percentage. Few teams are as exciting to watch as the Hawks, especially at the loud United Center that will be packed to the rafters as always. This one offers a perfect way to end the weekend.
