The Stanley Cup Playoffs are six weeks away and we are not in an exciting play-in stage of the regular season with every point at a premium. Thursday epitomizes the high stakes drama with four top games.
Calgary Flames vs. Boston Bruins: Faceoff from TD Bank Garden is set for 7 p.m. ET. Both teams are in precarious playoff position and playing sub .500 hockey in their last 10 games.
What to Watch: Calgary has lost captain and top defenseman Mark Giordano for the season due to a bicep injury. How will the Flames respond and compensate?
Who to Watch: It will be homecoming for Calgary left wing Johnny Hockey Gaudreau, who was a Hobey Baker Award winner for Boston College. Gaudreau has 15 goals and 29 assists in an impressive rookie season. Boston left wing Milan Lucic has only 13 goals and the tendency to get stupid at the worst possible time. Much more is needed from Lucic if Boston is to survive for the playoffs.
Why to Watch: Both teams are in the eighth and final playoff spots in their respective conferences. The intensity and desperation should be at a maximum.
Minnesota Wild vs. Washington Capitals: Faceoff from Verizon Center is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Both teams are in the seventh playoff spots in their respective conferences.
What to Watch: Two of the hottest teams in the NHL. Washington has won six out of their last ten while Minnesota has won seven out of their last nine. Washington ranks second in the NHL for power play efficiency while Minnesota is second for penalty killing.
Who to Watch: Minnesota goalie Devan Dubnyk has saved their season with a 15-3-1 record and .937 save percentage with five shutouts since his arrival from Arizona. Washington left wing Alex Ovechkin has 41 goals and is a plus-11 for a complete look.
Why to Watch: Two playoff teams in good form and in need of points. Verizon Center is a great venue with sellout crowds that rock the red. Ovechkin is mesmerizing this year and breaks the mold of today’s drone like players.
New York Islanders vs. Nashville Predators: Faceoff from Bridgestone Arena is set for 8 p.m. ET. The Islanders are tied for first in the Metropolitan Division with the New York Rangers while the Predators boast the NHL’s best record and lead the Central Division.
What to Watch: Both teams have cooled off lately. The Islanders have lost three out of their last five and the Predators have lost five out of their last seven and three in a row. Nashville was embarrassed in a 5-2 loss at the Islanders on February 19. The Islanders rank dead last for penalty killing.
Who to Watch: Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne is perhaps the best in the game but has slumped with a .904 save percentage in his last five games. Islanders center John Tavares has 30 goals and has emerged as an effective captain.
Why to Watch: Despite their recent struggles these are two of the top teams in the NHL. Hockeytonk has developed a great environment that has made for a strong home ice advantage. The Preds are 26-5-0-1 at home and long overdue to right the ship.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Los Angeles Kings: Faceoff from the Staples Center is set for 10:30 p.m. ET. Montreal leads the Atlantic Division and is two points behind Nashville for the best record in the league. The Kings are in a three way tie for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
What to Watch: After an eight game winning streak the Kings have slumped with three losses in a row. LA’s thin blue line is not conducive for a deep playoff run. Montreal sorely lacks secondary scoring depth.
Who to Watch: Montreal defensemen P.K Subban is among the best and most exciting players in the game with the ability to dominate. He has a nuclear bomb shot, is a risk taking play maker, and can land booming checks. Montreal goalie Carey Price is the best in the game with a .935 save percentage and six shutouts. LA goalie Jonathan Quick is hot with a .951 save percentage in his last five games. Kings defenseman Drew Doughty toils with 30 minutes of ice time per game but at a high quality. Doughty has 31 assists while Jeff Carter has 20 goals to lead the Kings.
Why to Watch: A great matchup of teams that have personality to go with their ability. The Kings are deeper and play heavier but Subban and Price continue to keep Les Glorieux in the hunt.
