NHL Games of the Week: Saturday, January 22 – Friday, January 28

Mick Kern
January 21, 2022

Saturday, January 22^nd – 7:00 pm Eastern SiriusXM 91

New York Islanders at Toronto Maple Leafs

It’s been a very disappointing season so far for the Islanders, who fell behind early in the Eastern Conference playoff race, and are banking on the faint hope clause to gain admission into the post-season. Completely opposite experience for the Maple Leafs, who are jockeying for a favourable playoff position in the ultra-competitive Atlantic Division.

Sunday, January 23^rd – 1:00 pm Eastern SiriusXM 91

Winnipeg Jets at Pittsburgh Penguins

While many hockey observers pegged Pittsburgh to miss the playoff cut this time around in the East, all the Pens have done is play winning hockey, even when they didn’t have superstar forwards Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in their lineup. Well, both are back, and the reports of the Penguins’ demise were premature. In the ‘Peg, the Jets are fighting tooth-and-nail to grab one of the playoff brass rings in the Central Division. Every game seems like a must win for Winnipeg.

Monday, January 24^th – 7:00 pm Eastern SiriusXM 91

Vegas Golden Knights at Washington Capitals

This rematch of the 2018 Stanley Cup Final finds the Golden Knights occupying a playoff spot in the Pacific Division, all while waiting for some key players to return. That includes centre Jack Eichel, who hopes to make his Knights’ debut in the next couple of months. In D.C., the Capitals just keep on ticking along, including the human goal machine, Mr. Alexander Ovechkin. But the Caps are more than just a one player team, and have designs on top spot in the Metro.

Tuesday, January 25^th – 10:00 pm Eastern SiriusXM 91

Edmonton Oilers at Vancouver Canucks

A tale of two teams, though both may end up missing the playoff cut in the West. After a sizzling start to the season, the Oilers have certainly cooled off, and nothing seems to be going right for them. Vancouver stumbled out of the gates, made the coaching change, and suddenly found the winning formula. But they have a lot of digging to do to get into a Western Conference playoff spot.

Wednesday, January 26^th – 10:00 pm Eastern SiriusXM 91

Boston Bruins at Colorado Avalanche

Tuukka Rask is back between the pipes for the Bruins, who have been one of the hotter teams recently in the league. This evening the B’s are in Denver, to clash with an Avalanche squad that is showing it’s one of the premier battleship teams in the NHL…even though some still whisper their goaltending would benefit from an upgrade.

Thursday, January 27^th– 7:00 pm Eastern SiriusXM 91

New York Rangers at Columbus Blue Jackets

The Broadway Blueshirts against the Blue Jackets, with the boys from New York well on their way to a playoff appearance this spring. The Jackets have performed better than many pre-season prognostications predicted, but will be hard pressed to join the Rangers in the post-season this time around.

Friday, January 28^th – 7:00 pm Eastern SiriusXM 91

Minnesota Wild at New York Rangers

So far so good for the 2021-22 edition of the Minnesota Wild, who should be able to print playoff tickets this spring. They’re a better team than the one that lost in seven games to the Golden Knights last spring. Tonight they face a Rangers team coming off a game in Columbus.