With the Stanley Cup Final rematch of the Rangers and Kings, the rivalry night matchup of the Bruins and Penguins, and the Western Conference showdown of the Blues and Sharks, it all adds up for must see TV in the first full week of the New Year. Top teams and stars will be in action throughout the week with playoff implications every night.
Tuesday
Tampa Bay vs. Montreal: The top two teams in the Atlantic Division well meet at the Bell Centre with faceoff time set for 7:30 PM ET. This matchup offers the stark contrast of Montreal’s third ranked defense for goals allowed against Tampa Bay’s second ranked goal scoring offense. Montreal defeated Tampa Bay in the playoffs last year after Lightning G Ben Bishop went out with injury. Tampa Bay is led by the young tandem of C’s Tyler Johnson (13 goals, 28 assists) along with Steven Stamkos (20 goals, 18 assists). Lighting coach Jon Cooper is among the best young leaders in the game. Montreal D PK Subban is the man to watch for the Canadiens as a perennial Norris Trophy candidate with a nuclear bomb shot. Subban is also not afraid to take a risk and gamble on the rush. It all adds up to an exciting fan friendly matchup.
Wednesday
Boston vs. Pittsburgh: Faceoff is set for 8 PM ET from the Consol Energy Center with coverage on NBCSN as part of its “Wednesday Night Rivalry Night” package. The Penguins are also appealing to the eyes with the NHL’s third ranked goal scoring offense. First-year head coach Mike Johnston is getting rave reviews for making the Pens a complete team as they ranked fourth in the NHL for goals against and third for the penalty kill. Pittsburgh boasts the talented tandem of C’s Evgeni Malkin (17 goals, 26 assists) and Sidney Crosby (11 goals, 31 assists).
Crosby is still considered to be the best player in the game. It all adds up to making Pittsburgh the top team and favorite in the Eastern Conference. Boston has shown signs of wearing down after years as a top Eastern Conference contender. The Bruins metrics of ranking 20th for goal scoring and 17th for goals against reveal an aging team that could be in decline. If the Bruin’s have anything left it will be for this crucial matchup that they desperately need to stay within striking distance of the last playoff spot in the East. Boston G Tuukka Rask has slumped to a .911 save percentage.
Thursday
San Jose vs. St. Louis: Faceoff time from the Scottrade Center is set for 8 PM ET. The Blues have been slumping with just one win in seven games as their instability in goal is reaching a potential crisis. Starter Brian Elliott recently returned from injury and perhaps just in the nick of time as ancient Martin Brodeur and prodigy Jake Allen both had terrible save percentages of .899.
Elliott was at .931 but still lacks the full faith and confidence of Blues fans and management. The man to watch on St. Louis is RW Vladimir Tarasenko, one of the most talented and exciting players in the game. Tarasenko has emerged as a top sniper and playmaker this year with a team best 22 goals, 18 assists, good for 40 points. San Jose recovered after a sluggish October but had no margin for error as they were in a four way tie for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. C Joe Pavelski continues to star for the Sharks with 19 goals and 13 assists. C Joe Thornton remains an assist machine with 24 to go with nine goals. G Antti Niemi has stabilized the position for San Jose with a .920 save percentage in his last five games and a .919 mark for the season.
NY Rangers vs. Los Angeles: Faceoff from Staples Center is set for 10:30 PM ET. This is a rematch of last year’s outstanding Stanley Cup Final in which the Kings won an epic game six in double overtime to clinch the series. Kings G Jonathan Quick remains one of the best in the game while Rangers G Henrik Lundqvist has slumped a notch with a .913 save percentage. Kings D Drew Doughty is the man to watch as a Norris Trophy candidate and Time on Ice Machine. Kings C Jeff Carter had 10 goals and 18 assists with a true nose for the net.
