The 2024 Stadium Series returns, just one of the must-hear NHL Games of the Week. Tune in to NHL Network Radio for all the action.
Two of the top teams in the Western Conference, in the entire league, meet up tonight on the West Coast. The Canucks have led the Pacific Division for months, while the Jets have gone back-and-forth, with the Avalanche and Stars, in holding the lead in the tough Central Division.
The 2024 Stadium Series continues this afternoon with this Sunday matinee from MetLife Stadium. A day after the Devils and Flyers hooked up under the stars, these two old rivals meet up under the February sun. The Rangers are in contention for the top spot in the Metropolitan Division, while the Islanders are battling for one of the two Eastern wildcard slots…or maybe even third place in the Metro.
It doesn’t matter where these two teams play; they’ll be ready, and so will their fans.
Both these teams have designs on going deep in the Stanley Cup Playoffs that get underway two months from now, and this would make for a great Stanley Cup Final. But hang on; we’re way ahead of ourselves. Both clubs are two of the top teams in the league, with the Bruins holding the lead in the Atlantic Division for months now. The Stars are in the midst of a three-way dogfight for first place in the Central Division.
Barring a major meltdown, the defending Stanley Cup champion Golden Knights will make the playoffs this April. Where they finish and which team they face in the opening round is still to be determined. Will the Predators join them in the post-season? Nashville have been in the midst of a multi-team scrum for one of the two Western wildcard invites seemingly from the start of this season.
The Sabres rank as one of the truly disappointing teams of the 2023-24 regular season. After falling short of the playoffs by a single point last year, Buffalo are well off that pace this time around. They should take two points tonight from a slowly rebuilding Canadiens franchise, but Montreal have already earned more points this season than most hockey observers predicted for them.
Many expected this edition of the Maple Leafs to challenge for first place in the Atlantic Division. That hasn’t happened, as the Leafs have shown a frustrating propensity to beat good teams and then lose to lesser teams. That inconsistency has them instead in a battle for third spot in the Atlantic, and if they’re not mindful, they could instead find themselves in one of the Eastern Conference wildcard spots.
Two teams that started slowly this season. While both changed their head coach, only the Oilers responded to the point where they’re back in contention for second place in the Pacific Division. A 16-game winning streak can do that for a team. The Wild have been a disappointment in the West but still maintain a slim chance of grabbing one of the Western Conference wildcard spots.
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