NHL Games of the Week: Saturday, April 24th to Friday, April 30th

Mick Kern
April 23, 2021

Saturday, April 24^th – Toronto Maple Leafs at Winnipeg Jets

8 pm Eastern on SiriusXM 91

With the recent skid by the Leafs, first place in the North Division is back in play. Both these teams are the leading candidates to take the Canadian Crown. Can the Maple Leafs’ goaltending hold up under the pressure of the playoffs? Can the Jets match the depth of the Leafs? Tonight may offer some answers.

Sunday, April 25^th – Boston Bruins at Pittsburgh Penguins

3 pm Eastern on SiriusXM 91

If you counted the Bruins out of the playoff race in the tough East Division, then you have no doubt changed that opinion. They have been red hot in the past two weeks, and have gone from seemingly slipping down to 5^th spot, to challenging for the East Division Crown. Pittsburgh is also in that race, and tonight could be a preview of a first (or second) round playoff series this spring.

Monday, April 26^th – Anaheim Ducks at Los Angeles Kings

10 pm Eastern on SiriusXM 91

The Freeway Faceoff doesn’t have the same sizzle it usually has, but there’s pride, and jobs, to play for. The Kings look to be in good shape for the near future, as the prospect cupboard is full.

Tuesday, April 27^th – New York Islanders at Washington Capitals

7 pm Eastern on SiriusXM 91

With the Bruins back on their game, the race in the East has become a four-team dogfight. Both the Islanders, and Capitals, are part of that conflagration, and with time running out on the 2021 NHL regular season, this game this evening is huge.

Wednesday, April 28^th – Toronto Maple Leafs at Montreal Canadiens

8 pm Eastern on SiriusXM 91

A possible preview of a first-round playoff series, if the Maple Leafs can hold off the Jets, and Oilers, and if the Canadiens can hold off the Flames, and Canucks. Toronto and Montreal haven’t met up in the post-season since April 1979.

Thursday, April 29^th – New York Islanders at New York Rangers

7 pm Eastern on SiriusXM 91

What’s not to like when these two bitter rivals meet up on the ice? Recently, the Islanders took care of the Rangers 6-1 back on April 20^th, and they also prevailed 3-2 (in OT…shades of 1975) on April 11^th, while the Rangers won 4-1 on April 9^th. While the guys from Long Island will make the playoff cut this time around, the guys from Manhattan will probably have to wait until next year.

Friday, April 30^th – Winnipeg Jets at Montreal Canadiens

7 pm Eastern on SiriusXM 91

Both teams need the two points, but for different reasons. The Jets are hoping to land in first place in the North, while the Canadiens are hoping to hold on to the fourth and final playoff spot in the same division.