Rapid Review: 10/29/17-11/4/17

It was a busier week for some teams than others in the NHL last week. Some teams managed to have a really good week while others just couldn't find any consistency, or found consistency, but not in a good way.

Here is a recap of the week for the teams covered in this blog:

1.) BUFFALO SABRES (1-1-0)

The Sabres came out and beat a team that they were supposed to, and lost to a better team. Buffalo beat the Arizona Coyotes by a score of 5-4, but almost blew the game by allowing the Coyotes to score three goals in the final 7:49 of the game. The Sabres got off to yet another slow start and were down 4-0 after the first period against the Stars. Robin Lehner was pulled after allowing four goals on seven shots. The Sabres need to get better defensively and have the goalies make some saves for them.

2.) DALLAS STARS (2-1-0)

The Dallas Stars started the week with a 2-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks. Ben Bishop had 38 saves and Alexander Radulov score the game-winning goal in OT. The Stars then gave up five goals to the Winnipeg Jets in a game where Mark Schiefele had a hat trick. Dallas just didn't play well in Winnipeg and the game couldn't end fast enough. The Stars ended their week by rebounded and beating the Sabres by a 5-1 score after jumping out to a 4-0 lead after the first period.

3.) NASHVILLE PREDATORS-(2-1-0) 

The Preds were on the West Coast and managed to come out of it with a winning record. The Preds lost to the San Jost Sharks, 3-2, even after playing a majority of the game down a man. Nashville then beat the Anaheim Ducks, who were without some key players, by taking an early 4-1 lead and then  never looking back. The Predators ended their week at the Staples Center visiting the Los Angeles Kings. Nashville blew a 3-0 lead but then won the game in overtime.

4.) PHILADELPHIA FLYERS (1-1-2)

The Flyers didn't have a good week overall, on the ice and with all the injuries to their defensemen. On Monday night, the Flyers were the victims of the Coyotes first win of the season, after battling back to tie the game late, the Flyers lost in overtime. The Flyers dominated the Blackhawks on Wednesday night, but just couldn't finish and lost another defenseman to injury. Philadelphia then played the Blues on Thursday night, and with a depleted defense corps, managed to win 2-0, after a stellar performance in net by Michal Neuvirth. The Orange and Black ended their week with another overtime loss, this time to the Colorado Avalanche, even though Shayne Gostisbehere returned to the lineup.

5.) TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING (2-0-1)

The Bolts managed to have a very good week with their only loss coming in overtime. The Lightning do need to tighten up on defense because they are blowing too many leads. Tampa Bay is going to need some production from Tyler Johnson and need to keep the balanced scoring in the lineup. The Bolts need to stop relying on its offense and Andrei Vasilevskiy to win games, and play some defense.

6.) TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (1-3-0)

The Leafs were a little undisciplined last week and need to play better to stay out of the box. The Maple Leafs need to play complete games and stop sitting back after they get a two or three goal lead since they let the other team back in the game. Once they get the lead, Toronto needs to keep being aggressive. Toronto was doomed by its bad defense and bad goaltending. The goalies need to start stopping some pucks and not allowing the soft goal.