Colorado and Calgary clash and more NHL Games of the Week

Saturday, February 1st – 3:30 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
New York Rangers at Boston Bruins
It’s important to remember that the regular season is 82 games in length, not 40 or 50. The Rangers got off to another sizzling start this season before descending into the depths of hockey hell. Okay, it wasn’t that bad, but the Broadway Blueshirts apparently forgot how to properly play hockey. That led to them tumbling out of the Metropolitan Division top three, and they kept tumbling all the way out of the Eastern wildcard scenario. Were they indeed that bad? No, and better efforts recently at both ends of the ice have refloated the Good Ship NYR. This afternoon, they face a Bruins team who experienced a similar scenario this season, which has already led to them firing a head coach. And they very recently lost 7-2 to the last-place Buffalo Sabres. Let’s just say these are two huge points up for grabs this afternoon.
Sunday, February 2nd – 9 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Calgary Flames at Seattle Kraken
The Flames are one of the pleasant surprises halfway through the 2024-25 NHL regular season. The Kraken? This is their fourth season in the league, and if they don’t get their act together very soon, they’ll miss the post-season for the third time in those four years. As things stand now, one of the two Western wildcard slots appears to be the only path to the playoffs this time around for Seattle….and Calgary.
Monday, February 3rd – 7:30 pm – SiriusXM 91
Ottawa Senators at Nashville Predators
Both of these teams were expected to be in the running for playoff spots in their respective Conferences. With over half the season in the books, the Sens are at least close to an Eastern wildcard, while the Predators have arguably been the most disappointing team in the league. Nashville has been playing better hockey recently, and that’s finally translated into some much-needed wins. But are they too far back to claw their way back into the Western wildcard race?
Tuesday, February 4th – 7 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Florida Panthers at Washington Capitals
The defending Stanley Cup champions visit the top team in the league. Yes, it’s been that kind of season so far for the Capitals. They’ve received solid goaltending, complete team play, and goal-scoring from people not named Alexander Ovechkin. Yes, the Great 8 is also scoring at a pace we haven’t witnessed since he was a young pup in this league. Ovechkin draws closer and closer to Wayne Gretzky’s overall career (regular season) goal-scoring record of 894, and more importantly to the Caps, they continue to assert their dominance in the Metropolitan Division. The Panthers have been sitting in second spot in the Atlantic Division for months now, just behind the Maple Leafs.
Wednesday, February 5th – 10:30 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Montreal Canadiens at Los Angeles Kings
After a stumbling start to the season, Les Canadiens have been one of the better teams since around Christmas. Is that enough to make the playoffs in the East? They visit a Kings team that was expected to fall back at some point in the Pacific Division race, but apparently, L.A. didn’t get that memo. Still, they could benefit from more goals, especially on the power play. The Kings are one of the best teams on home ice.
Thursday, February 6th – 9 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 167
Colorado Avalanche at Calgary Flames
Two weeks ago, the Avalanche shocked the hockey world by shipping superstar (pending UFA) sniper Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes. The players they received (Martin Necas & Jack Drury) should fit nicely into an impressive lineup. They face a Flames team that has surprised everybody by remaining in the Western wildcard race.
Friday, February 7th – 7 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Rangers
Will the Penguins make some significant moves before the NHL trade deadline a month from now? The Pens are still close enough to an Eastern wildcard spot, but they have to be realistic about their chances…and what they could do if they were a wildcard team. The Rangers are playing better as of late and have their eyes back on the playoffs. Will they also make (more) changes before the trade deadline?
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