Two longtime rivals face off this weekend, and that’s just one of the must-hear NHL Games of the Week. You can hear them on NHL Network Radio and the SiriusXM app.
While this historic NHL rivalry has lost some of its lustre over the past few seasons, these two teams did meet up in the 2021 playoffs, with Les Canadiens rebounding from a 3-1 series deficit to win it in 7. Since then, Montreal has been in full rebuilding mode, while Toronto is one of the better teams in the league. Their true test will happen in mid-April when the post-season gets underway. The only question remaining is which team the Maple Leafs will face in the first round? Toronto added former Habs’ defenceman Joel Edmundson to their lineup via trade with the Washington Capitals.
Sure, it’s Connor McDavid against Sidney Crosby, but more importantly, it’s one team bound for the NHL playoffs against another team watching their post-season aspirations slowly slip away. If the Penguins seriously entertain any playoff notions this time around, they’ve got to begin racking up the wins. As for the Oilers, the question is, where will they finish in the Pacific?
It’s been a regular season to remember for the Rangers, who have been in top spot in the Metropolitan Division for months. It’s been a regular season to forget for the Devils, who finished with 112 points last year, but this time has been rough. New Jersey just fired their head coach (Lindy Ruff) and appears to be headed to the sidelines come mid-April.
Time is running out for the Calgary Flames to qualify for an NHL Western Conference playoff spot. They have performed well, even with the trading away of several key veterans. As for the visiting Avalanche, they most likely will finish somewhere in the top three in the tough NHL Central Division. Forward Nathan MacKinnon is having an MVP-like season. Colorado has also been active in the trade market and wants to upgrade its squad.
The Predators have been red hot lately, which should have them headed to the post-season and even knocking on the door of third place in the NHL Central Division. The team they face tonight, the hometown Jets, have been in a season-long battle for top spot in that division, and they would love to finish ahead of the Dallas Stars for that honour.
We know the Rangers have enjoyed a successful regular season, but what about the Lightning? They still boast an impressive array of top-notch talent, though it’s not a stretch to suggest that Andrei Vasilevskiy has not played like a top-five goaltender this season. But don’t count him out yet, as he’s very capable of finding that All-Star form again, especially with the playoffs on the horizon. Tampa Bay have been sitting in one of the NHL Eastern Conference wildcard spots for months now, with a brief flirtation with third place.
While the Jets are headed to the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs this April, the same cannot be said for the youthful, rebuilding Ducks. Their focus is on the future, though hopefully, it’s not that far down the road. The game in Winnipeg tonight is another good test for their young core.
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