Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Montreal Canadiens

(12-3-1)                                       (14-4-1)

Preview: Both of these two teams are in first place in each of their division. Canadiens have 29 points and the Penguins have a total of 25 points. Although they still have a difference of 4 there is a reason. Montreal has played 19 games so far this season whereas Pittsburgh has only played 16. Both of these teams contain a Dynamic Duo that is almost unbeatable. For Pittsburgh that duo is Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby. Malkin has 7 goals, 12 assists, and 45 shots while Crosby has 7 goals, 18 assists, and 54 shots. Not only do they score goals they also set their teammates up. The Dynamic Duo for the Canadiens is Tomas Plekanec and Max Pacioretty. Plekanec has 7 goals, 8 assists, and 56 shots while Pacioretty has 8 goals, 8 assists, and 67 shots. Both of these players, on a regular basis, are big point producers. This game will tell us mentally, and not in clear points, who’s the best in the Eastern Conference, so its obviously going to be a battle fought hard until the final buzzer sounds and may end up going into extra time.

Point Leaders:

Pit- Sidney Crosby (25) Mon- Max Pacioretty (16)

Goal Leaders:

Pit- Patric Hornqvist (9) Mon- Max Pacioretty (8)

Plus/Minus Leaders:

Pit- Christian Ehrhoff (9) Mon- Max Pacioretty (12)

New York Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

(7-6-4)                                    (12-4-2)

Preview: Henrik Lundqvist, goalie for the New York Rangers, has been struggling lately with his GAA (goal allowed average) for the season with a 2.51, which accounts for the 10th worst in the league. With Steven Stamkos being the third highest scorer this season with 11, tied with Phil Kessel and Corey Perry, Lundqvist will need to step up. Ben Bishop, Tampa Bay goalie,  is 15th overall for GAA with a 2.34. He also faces a tough task as the Rangers have the 2nd highest goal scorer, Rick Nash, with 12. Although this is not a divisional game, it still matters as they both try to climb to the top of their own division. Rangers are 3rd in the Metropolitan Division with 18 points while the Tampa Bay Lightning are second in the Atlantic Division with 26 points. This game will be a tough one for each squad and may very well come down until the final buzzer sounds.

Point Leaders:

NYR- Rick Nash (19) TB- Steven Stamkos (19)

Goal Leaders:

NYR- Rick Nash (12) TB- Steven Stamkos (11)

Plus/Minus Leaders:

NYR- Matt Zuccarello (5) TB- Anton Stralman(13)