The perfect combination of the greatest country and the greatest game of them all will merge to make for a day of celebration, excitement, and history on Sunday with Hockey Day in America.
NBC will host the festivities from Lake Placid, New York, home of the 1980 Winter Olympics and the Miracle on Ice, where the United States upset the Soviet Union in one of the greatest upset wins in the history of sports. NBC will also televise an afternoon NHL doubleheader which will then be followed by an evening nightcap on NBCSN. Let’s take a look at what should be a memorable and enjoyable day of pucks.
Washington Capitals at Philadelphia Flyers: Faceoff time from the Wells Fargo Center is set for 12:30 PM ET with coverage on NBC. Russian superstar Alex Ovechkin may not be American but there is no better way to begin Hockey Day in America than with the Great Eight and his surging Washington Capitals.
Washington has won six out of their last nine games to climb within five points of the first place New York Islanders in the Metropolitan Division. What is most impressive is the Capitals incredible climb up the NHL defensive rankings in just one year under first year head coach Barry Trotz. The Caps rank fifth in the NHL for goals against, which is far and away their best look since their tough teams of the 1980’s that were led by defensemen Rod Langway Scott Stevens, and Larry Murphy.
Best of all, the Caps are not sacrificing offense in order to tighten up the back end as they rank seventh for goals scored. Ovechkin has gone from being a loafing selfish disgrace to a complete and inspiring player that digs hard and flies with reckless abandon. The Great Eight has 38 goals to lead the NHL and is a plus-12. Watching Ovechkin you get the sense of a player that is determined to prove himself, silence his critics, and to win his first ever Stanley Cup.
Although not nearly as well known, center Nicklas Backstrom has been another key asset for the Caps with 18 goals, 45 assists, and a plus-3. Defenseman John Carlson has impressed with nine goals, 31 assists, and a plus-15. Braden Holtby has been as impressive as anyone on the Caps with a .925 save percentage and the look of a goalie that can be relied upon come playoff time.
The Flyers have lost five out of their last seven in what has been a very disappointing season. Philadelphia is developing some promising young defensemen in their minor league system but has no help for today. Goalie Steve Mason is out and the Flyers rank 24th for goals against. Offense has been inconsistent with the exception of right wing Wayne Simmons, who has 22 goals.
Flyers coach Craig Berube is under fire but can hardly be blamed for the awkward roster that he inherited.
Boston Bruins at Chicago Blackhawks: Faceoff time from the United Center is set for 3 PM ET with coverage on NBC. When it’s an Original Six matchup it’s always worth watching. Add to the fact that this is a rematch of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final and you have appointment television. Beyond that, it’s a must win game for a Boston team with no margin for error.
The Bruins are holding on for dear life as they lead the Florida Panthers by just one game in the Eastern Conference for the final playoff spot. Boston lacks consistent goal scoring and number one defenseman Zdeno Chara is showing his tread wear and age of 38. Chara has not been a minus player since 2007 but has been in and out of minus territory this season. His offensive production has also dropped in alarming fashion. Chara has just four goals and 11 assists. Boston has slipped to 21st for goal scoring which has been a drag on their playoff prospects. Left wing Milan Lucic has slipped badly as well with just 11 goals and the repeated inability to control his inner jerk.
The Blackhawks boast one of the most exciting players in the game in right wing Patrick Kane, who has 27 goals and 26 assists with a plus-10. Kane is a dynamic playmaker can fly and has moves that are among the most creative in the game. Kane’s partner, Jonathan Toews has 16 goals and 31 assists with a plus-19 as one of the most complete players in the game. Kane and Toews received huge contract extensions last summer for the same amount of money and complement each other to perfection. Kane has flourished under the leadership and maturity of Toews. Toews’ strong defensive play has allowed Kane to take more offensive risks and unleash his phenomenal offensive ability. It all makes you wonder if a player like Toronto’s Phil Kessel could be saved with a similar arrangement and partner.
Dallas Stars at Minnesota Wild: Faceoff time from the Xcel Energy Center is set for 8 PM ET with coverage on NBCSN. Goaltender Devan Dubnyk has saved the Wild’s season with a .936 save percentage and 11-2-1 record. Minnesota wisely kept on head coach Mike Yeo when they reached their low point where most teams would have made the cheap statement of firing the coach for a quick sugar rush.
Left winger Zach Parise is earning that big contract from the summer of 2012 as he has 23 goals to lead Minnesota. The Wild are just three points out of the final Western Conference playoff spot. Dallas has been decimated with injuries, tops among them to leading scorer Tyler Seguin.
The Stars are the fourth highest scoring team in the NHL but those injuries will likely cause for a steep drop in the days ahead. Dallas was founded as the Minnesota North Stars in 1967 as part of the Great Expansion to add an historic context to this one.
