NHL Games Of The Week: Saturday, April 17th to Friday, April 23rd

Mick Kern
April 16, 2021

Saturday, April 17^th – Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning

7 pm Eastern on SiriusXM 91

One team has surprised most people, while the other team is the defending Stanley Cup champions. This could be a preview of a first-round playoff series this May or a preview of a second-round series. Either way, The Battle of Florida is now a real thing, and well worth your time.

Sunday, April 18^th – Los Angeles Kings at Colorado Avalanche

9 pm Eastern on SiriusXM 91

Are the Avalanche the best team in the National Hockey League? Tell will tell, but Colorado seems poised for a deep playoff run. Better days are ahead for the Kings, who are loaded in the prospect department.

Monday, April 19^th – San Jose Sharks at Vegas Golden Knights

10 pm Eastern on SiriusXM 91

These two teams have already developed an intense rivalry, regardless of where each respective club sits in the standings. So far this season, the Golden Knights have enjoyed more success and should be a lock to make the playoffs. The Sharks got off to a lumbering start, and have been fighting uphill ever since.

Tuesday, April 20^th – New York Rangers at New York Islanders

7 pm Eastern on SiriusXM 91

What else are you doing tonight besides watching this latest chapter of New York New York? At the recent trade deadline, the Islanders shored up an already impressive lineup, while the young Rangers are still hanging around the fourth and final playoff slot in the tough East Division. Both are expected to be powers for the foreseeable future.

Wednesday, April 21^st – Toronto Maple Leafs at Winnipeg Jets

7 pm Eastern on SiriusXM 91

Many believe this will be the second-round playoff matchup in the North Division, though there’s a lot of road left before we get to that point. Could the Jets catch the Maple Leafs for the top spot in the All-Canadian division? Yes, but unlikely; it would be a tall order. Toronto made a number of significant additions at the recent NHL trade deadline, while Winnipeg made a minor change on defence.

Thursday, April 22^nd – Washington Capitals at New York Islanders

7 pm Eastern on SiriusXM 91

As good as the Islanders are, they’ll probably have to contend with the high-scoring Washington Capitals at some point this spring. The Caps added sniper Anthony Mantha to an already formidable lineup, and have every intention of being the team that emerges from the East Division.

Friday, April 23^rd – Philadelphia Flyers at New York Rangers

7 pm Eastern on SiriusXM 91

While the Rangers are impressively building for the near future, what happened to the Flyers? This was supposed to be the season that they made upward strides in their division. While Philly are still within striking distance of the final playoff spot in the East, so far this has not been a campaign to remember.