Wednesday 12-3-14

Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues

(16-6-2)                            (15-8-1)

Preview: This game is divisional and both are currently in the playoffs if they were to start now. But unfortunately for both teams there is still a long road ahead. These two teams will face 3 more times after tonight. They have already played once this season on October 25^th, and St Louis pulled out ahead with a 3-2 victory due to a game winning goal by Dmitri Jaškin. However this game will definitely not be the same. Both of the usual starting goalies won’t even be dressed in their jersey. Brian Elliot (Goalie for the Blues) is suffering a knee injury and Corey Crawford (Goalie for the Blackhawks) is out 3-4 weeks with a lower-body injury. Recently, the Blues signed Martin Brodeur, soon to be hall of famer who played the past 21 years with the Devils, to a 1 year contract year. He won’t get the start though, Jake Allen will. Jake Allen has almost played the same amount of games as the starter (Brian Elliot), totaling a record of 8-2-1 which isn’t very good for a normal backup. As for the Blackhawks, with Crawford out, Antti Raanta will start. Raanta has played 3 games and has a 1-2-0 record and has allowed 6 goals. Another key loss for the Blackhawks is Left Wing, Patrick Sharp. Although this is a huge loss, the Blackhawks forwards and defensemen are so strong throughout they will still put up a huge fight. That’s only if there goalie, Raanta, can keep them in it. This will be a battle of the goalies, but just like all hockey games, only one comes out on top and can take home the win.

My Prediction: I think the Blues will win this game because even though they do not have many top players I think their goalie will be able to stop the players on Chicago better than Raanta will for the Blackhawks.

Point Leaders:

CHI- Patrick Kane (23) STL- Vladimir Tarasenko (25)

Goal Leaders:

CHI- Jonathan Toews (10) STL- Vladimir Tarasenko (14)

Plus/Minus Leaders:

CHI- Kris Versteeg (10) STL- Vladimir Tarasenko (17)

Winnipeg Jets vs. Boston Bruins (H)

(12-9-3)                  (13-9-1)

Preview: These teams are both tied in points and rest in third place in each of their divisions. Therefore both of these would be qualified for the playoffs.  The Bruins haven’t decline in awhile and especially not after winning the Stanley Cup in 2011. This has happened due to their top notch players such as Zdeno Chara, Patrice Bergeron, and Tuukka Rask. This year Chara was injured and this made a big impact on the defense but with great forwards and an outstanding goalie, it was not surprising that they didn’t decline that much. The Winnipeg Jets, came into the league in 2011-2012 season. They used to be known as the Atlanta Thrashers but relocated and renamed. The team consists of many top players such as Evander Kane, Dustin Byfuglien, and Ondrej Pavelec. The main leader of the Winnipeg Jets defense is Dustin Byfuglien, who is well known throughout the league as a top defensemen. This will be a great game and I recommend watching it till the very end.

My Prediction: I think that the Boston Bruins will win because no matter the injuries Boston never seems to disappoint.

BOS- Patrice Bergeron (16) WPG-  Andrew Ladd (16)

Goal Leaders:

BOS-  Patrice Bergeron (5) WPG- Andrew Ladd (8)

Plus/Minus Leaders:

BOS-  Loui Eriksson (5) WPG- Bryan Little (13)

Washington Capitals vs. New York Islanders

(9-8-3)                                  (15-6-0)

Preview: This is a divisional game within the Metropolitan division. Right now the Islanders have 30 points, and the Capitals have 21. Tied with the Penguins for first in the division, they have been a definite underdog based off their record last year (34-37-11). The Capitals on the other hand are currently placed fourth in their division. The Rangers are placed third and play tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning, who is having a great season. With the Capitals only being down 1 point behind the Rangers, all Capitals fans (like myself) are hoping for a Ranger loss. You’re not an NHL fan if you don’t know the name Alexander Ovechkin. He has been in this league since 2004 and was drafted by the Capitals with the first overall pick. Tonight’s game will mark his 700^th game in the regular season. There is no doubt that he has made a name for himself in this league and will be a key player to watch in the game tonight. For the Islanders, the key player to watch is John Tavares. He was also drafted first overall by the Islanders in 2009. Only being in this league 5 years he has proved himself worthy to be in this league. This is a game you won’t want to miss.

My Prediction: I predict the Washington Capitals because they are more determined and wanna take over 3^rd place in the division. I an interview with NHL.com, Alexander Ovechkin said “It’s like a playoff mentality right now for us.”

Point Leaders:

WSH- Nicklas Backstrom (19) NYI- John Tavares (20)

Goal Leaders:

WSH- Alex Ovechkin (9) NYI- Brock Nelson (10)

Plus/Minus Leaders:

WSH- Nate Schmidt (6) NYI- Ryan Strome (9)

Boston Bruins vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

(13-9-0)                                (13-4-2)

Preview: Both of these team are widely known by all NHL fans. In the past 6 years both of these teams have won the Stanley Cup. In 2009, the Penguins beat the Detroit Red Wings under coach Dan Blysma, who was fired this offseason. This was a tight series, having to play all 7 games. The penguins won game 7 with a game winning goal by Maxime Talbot, who currently plays for the Colorado Avalanche. In 2011, the Bruins won their first Stanley Cup against the Vancouver Canucks under coach Claude Julien. This series also went to all seven games, and in game 7 Patrice Bergeron scored the game winner. Bergeron has not left the Bruins since, and continues to perform at a high standard. Bergeron came out of an incredible season. Both of these teams consist of top NHL players and expect to see a high scoring game.

My Prediction: I think that the Bruins will win because they are in more need for a win to continue to try and climb to the top of their division. They currently place 3^rd.

Point Leaders:

BOS- Patrice Bergeron (16) PIT- Sidney Crosby (26)

Goal Leaders:

BOS-  Patrice Bergeron (5) PIT- Patric Hornqvist (9)

Plus/Minus Leaders:

BOS-  Brad Marchand (5) PIT- Christian Ehrhoff (13)

Sunday 11-23-14

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Vancouver Canucks

Preview: 2 years ago the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup, and since have not declined. Currently they place 3^rd in the Central Division. Although you might think that this will be an easy win, that is not the case. The Canucks consist of many top players such as the Sedin twins and Ryan Miller.  The Sedin twins consist of Daniel and Henrik Sedin. They were both drafted by Vancouver and were the first and second overall picks in the 1999 NHL draft. They both have been in the league for so long that Daniel Sedin will hit his 1000^th game in his career tonight. The top players on the Blackhawks are Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and Corey Crawford.  These players create such a well built team that is hard to stop.

My Prediction: I think that the Blackhawks will win because they have more players that are more consistent and talented. These players will produce more points and eventually win this game.

Point Leaders:

CHI- Jonathan Toews (18) VAN- Henrik Sedin (20)

Goal Leaders:

CHI- Jonathan Toews (9) VAN- Radim Vrbata (9)

Plus/Minus Leaders:

CHI- Kris Versteeg (7) VAN- Nick Bonino (7)

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Islanders

(13-3-2)                                  (13-6-0)

Preview: Penguins currently lead the Metropolitan Division and the Islanders are in second. Only 2 points behind, the Islanders have a chance to take the lead in the Division. By having a tie in the points column, it goes to the next category, Head to Head record. This category currently is 1-0, Islanders advantage after last night’s 5-4 shootout win. In the first round of the shootout Evgeni Malkin missed and John Tavares shot was saved. In the second round Sidney Crosby and Frans Nielsen both scored. In the third and final round, Brandon Sutter’s(Penguins) shot was saved and Kyle Okposo (Islanders) scored ending the shootout. Both teams will start their backup goalies to give their starters a break. Thomas Greiss will start for the Penguins and Jaroslav Halak will start for the Islanders. Halak was acquired from the Washington Capitals this offseason and has won his past five starts. According to an interview with Jack Capuano, Islanders Head Coach, conducted by NHL.com, Capuano said, “We want to play a little bit more ‘in your face.’ ”  In another interview with defensemen, Nick Leddy for the Islanders, conducted by NHL.com, he stated “We had the lead and gave that up”. Based on these two quotes, expect to see a hard fought physical game by the Islanders who want to close the game out and not let the Penguins have a chance to catch up. However, the Penguins are a well built team consisting of great players who will definitely give the Islanders a run for their money. This game will be a very exciting one to watch.

My Prediction: I predict that the Islanders will win because I feel they have more motivation and are more determined to take the lead in the Division from the long-lasting leaders of the Metropolitan, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Point Leaders:

PIT- Sidney Crosby (26) NYI- Brock Nelson (18)

Goal Leaders:

PIT- Patric Hornqvist (10) NYI- Brock Nelson (9)

Plus/Minus Leaders:

PIT- Christian Erhoff (12) NYI- Ryan Strome (8)

St. Louis Blues vs. Montreal Canadiens

(12-5-1)                    (14-5-1)

Preview: The St. Louis Blues have totaled 25 points so far this season and the Canadiens have totaled 29 points. The Canadiens lead the Eastern Conference and for the Blues, if they will this game they will be tied for first in the Western Conference with Anaheim. Carey Price struggled on Tuesday night against the Penguins and allowed 4 goals but Price has made a name for himself in this league and rarely disappoints. He will face a tough offense of the Blues who play a very physical game and are very good on the faceoff dot.  In the end, this game is going to come down to whoever can control the puck possession which will likely decide the winner.

Point Leaders:

STL- Vladimir Tarasenko (21) Mon- Max Pacioretty (16)

Goal Leaders:

STL- Vladimir Tarasenko (11) Mon- Max Pacioretty (8)

Plus/Minus Leaders:

STL- Vladimir Tarasenko (9) Mon- Max Pacioretty (11)

New York Rangers vs. Philadelphia Flyers

(7-7-4)                        (7-7-2)

Preview: These two teams both are in the Metropolitan Division, therefore making this a crucial battle. Philadelphia is 2 points behind the Rangers, so if they win they will be tied with New York for 4th place. During the Rangers last game, against the Lightning, Henrik Lundqvist allowed 5 goals in their 5-1 loss. Due to Lundqvist’s poor start to the season, Cam Talbot will start. Cam Talbot played his first year in the NHL last season with the Rangers. He played 19 games with 12 wins, 6 losses, and 1 overtime loss. If Cam Talbot manages his part of the ice, then the Rangers have a strong squad with Rick Nash, Derek Stepan, and Martin St. Louis on offense who have all made names for themselves in this league. Although the Rangers have a strong offense, Steve Mason, goalie for the Philadelphia Flyers, has proven himself worthy as a starting goalie and will put up a strong fight.