Hall of fame coach Fred Shero said it best; “Life is something we do between hockey games.”
The weekend has arrived. Let’s look at the top games and settle in for a well-deserved two days of pucks with high stakes playoff implications.
–Saturday–
Detroit Red Wings at Nashville Predators: Faceoff from the Bridgestone Arena is set for 3 p.m. ET. The slumping Red Wings have lost five out of their last seven to fall to sixth in the Eastern Conference. Nashville has the top record in the league and has won eight out of their last 10. Nashville is 26-3-0-1 at home this year.
What to Watch: The dominant Predators defense against the finesse oriented Red Wings. Nashville boasts the best defensive corps in the game.
Who to Watch: Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne is the best in the world and boasts a .930 save percentage with three shutouts. The Preds Shea Weber is as good of a defenseman as there is in the game and adds an offensive element with 14 goals and 28 assists.
Why to Watch: Nashville has emerged as a bona fide Stanley Cup contender and complete 200 foot team under first year head coach Peter Laviolette. Hockeytonk has taken to the team and the barn will be packed, with plenty of Red Wings fans invading, to make for an electric atmosphere.
New York Rangers at Philadelphia Flyers: Faceoff from the Wells Fargo Center is set for 8 p.m. ET with a national telecast on NBC. This showcase game for the league features a Rangers team that is just three points behind the New York Islanders for the top spot in the East.
What to Watch: This Rangers team is better than last year’s Eastern Conference champion team and ranks third for goal scoring and fourth for goals against to make for one of the most complete teams in the game. The Rangers continue to thrive without World Class goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who is out until March with a neck issue.
Who to Watch: Rangers left wing Rick Nash has stormed back with a dominant season. Nash has 37 goals and has often taken over games. Philadelphia right wing Wayne Simmonds has 24 goals to lead what has been an otherwise lackluster season for the Flyers. The Flyers lack of defense and goaltending does not match up well against the Broadway Blueshirts.
Why to Watch: The Rangers continue to thrive under second year coach Alain Vigneault as a complete team that now has the element of offense. It’s great to see the NHL get a prime time national broadcast. This remains a top NHL rivalry and a rematch of a playoff series from last year in which the Rangers won in seven games.
–Sunday–
Los Angeles Kings at Winnipeg Jets: Faceoff from the MTS Center is set for 4 p.m. ET. Perhaps the top matchup of the weekend with the red hot Kings and a Jets team that is greater than the total sum of their parts. Both teams are in Western Conference playoff position but with little margin for error.
What to Watch: The Kings with their heavy play style, and force of nature momentum, going up against a Jets team that never takes a nigh off and has developed a strong team culture.
Who to Watch: A matchup of top defensemen with the Kings Drew Doughty and the Jets Dustin Byfuglien. Kings center Jeff Carter has 18 goals and a nose for the net like few other players.
Why to Watch: This is a potential playoff preview between two teams in good recent form. The intensity will be high with two valuable points at stake. The MTS Center will be rocking with the most passionate fans in the game.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida Panthers: Faceoff from the BB&T Center is set for 5 p.m. ET. Florida is two points behind the Boston Bruins for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Tampa Bay is three points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the top spot in the East.
What to Watch: Florida is in the midst of their most crucial, do or die homestand in several years as they desperately try to catch the Bruins. The Panthers must find a way to generate more offense and their lack of goal scoring is what has prevented them from climbing the standings.
Who to Watch: Rookie Florida defenseman Aaron Ekblad going up against the top scoring team in the NHL. Florida goaltender Roberto Luongo has a save percentage of .921 and will have to be in top form for the Cats to have a chance here.
Why to Watch: The Bolts are one of the most exciting teams in the league to watch and should get the maximum effort from the Panthers. It would be great to see these teams develop a rivalry similar to the Anaheim/Los Angeles Freeway Faceoff, and this matchup could plant those seeds. Many fans and the NHL would like to see Florida in the playoffs to spark fan interest. This will be an intense and potentially exciting affair.
St. Louis Blues at Vancouver Canucks: Faceoff from Rogers Arena is set for 9:30 p.m. ET. The Blues have been inconsistent with a 5-5 mark in their last 10 games to remain stuck in third place in the Western Conference. Vancouver has quietly picked up the pace with seven wins in their last 10 games to climb to fifth place in the West.
What to Watch: Can the Blues recapture what was a dominant Stanley Cup contender look from a couple of weeks ago? Can the Canucks keep it going without number one netminder Ryan Miller?
Who to Watch: Backup goaltender Eddie Lack has a .921 save percentage for the Canucks which is eight points better than Miller. The Sedin Twins are back on their game this season as center Henrik has 55 points and left wing Daniel has 53 points. Blues right win Vladimir Tarasenko has 31 goals and dominates offensively. Blues goalie Brian Elliott has slumped to a .894 save percentage in his last five games, which re-awakens doubts about the Blues making a deep playoff run with him between the pipes.
Why to Watch: This is a potential playoff preview with two highly prized points available for resurgent Vancouver. St. Louis will be looking to right the ship and get back on playoff track. Two quality teams that will make for a perfect end to the weekend.
