Lightning Strikes: Western Conference Road Trip

The Tampa Bay Lighting will have their first extended road trip of the season starting tonight, and it won't be an easy one. They'll have four games in seven days visiting the Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Vegas Golden Knights, and the Arizona Coyotes.

Sunday, Oct. 21: Tampa Bay Lighting @ Chicago Blackhawks: 7 p.m.- 

The Lightning start their road trip in Chicago where they'll be facing Patrick Kane and company. The Bolts will need to stop the top six forwards of the Blackhawks and make the bottom six beat them. Tampa Bay should get a forecheck game established early so they can get extended offensive zone time to get some shots on goal. They will want to get the first goal of the game to take the home crowd out of the game. The Lightning are going to want to limit their mistakes and take advantage of the Blackhawks weak special teams.

What to Watch For: Special Teams Battle

The one area where the Lightning have a substantial advantage is on special teams. Their power play can be deadly and is ranked 13th in the League at 24%. In recent years, the penalty kill has been pretty bad, but the Lightning have yet to allow a power play goal against while being shorthanded 25 times in six games. The Blackhawks power play just hasn't been able to click just yet, but with the units that they have, the power play can get going at anytime. Chicago is also struggling killing penalties (71.4%), which was also an area of weakness last season. If the Lightning can win the special teams battle then they will have a good chance of steal two points.

Wednesday, Oct. 24: Tampa Bay Lightning @ Colorado Avalanche- 9:30 p.m.

The Lightning have a tough task just two days later when they take on the Avalanche, who are off to a good start. The team is going to need to find a way to stop Nathan MacKinnon and his line mates, who are off to a hot start to the season. The Lighting should try to establish the forecheck early so they can have some extended offensive zone time, which could make the MacKinnon line defend instead of going to work in the offensive zone. Tampa Bay needs to play with some kind of energy to start the game, maybe a big hit or play to get the team going because the Avalanche have looked really good. The Bolts need to get the first goal to get the quiet the crowd and get some traffic in front of the goalie.

What to Watch For: The Goaltending for Both Teams

It doesn't seem to matter who Jared Bednar starts between the pipes because that goalie seems to have a good game. Semyon Varlamov and Philipp Grubauer have been really good early and they are helping their team win some games. Andrei Vasilevskiy has gotten off to a good start himself, and has started a majority of the games for the Bolts. Vasilevskiy is known for his athleticism and ability to recover to make the unbelievable save so expect this game to be low scoring, if the goalies are on their game.

Friday, Oct. 26: Tampa Bay Lighting @ Vegas Golden Knights- 6 p.m.

The schedule doesn't get any easier as the Lighting take on the defending Western Conference Champions in the Vegas Golden Knights. The Golden Knights got off to a slow start, but have been on their game lately. The Lighting need to find a way to limit the damage done by Jonathan Marchessault, William Karlsson and Reilly Smith since they are basically the offense for Vegas. Marc-Andre Fleury has been much better since starting the season struggling, so the Bolts want to make sure that they have plenty of traffic in front of him. In order to slow down the Golden Knights, Tampa Bay needs to be very aware of their positioning in the neutral zone and play a tight checking game there since the transition game of Vegas is exceptional.

What to Watch For: Lightning Penalty Kill vs. Golden Knights Power Play

The Lightning have gotten off to a really good start on the penalty kill after struggling last season. They haven't allowed a goal in 25 opportunities. The Golden Knight power play has been a struggle in the early part of the season, much like everything else. They'll need to find a way to get their power play going since it will be an integral part of their offense the rest of the season.

Saturday, Oct. 27: Tampa Bay Lighting @ Arizona Coyotes- 9 p.m.

The Bolts end their tough week with a game against the Coyotes, who haven't been able to score this year. They need to get in on the forecheck and pressure the puck carrier to force some turnovers. The Bolts will want to win the battle at even strength since the Coyotes have a decent penalty kill. Tampa Bay should get plenty of pucks on net with traffic in front of the goalie to make it harder for him to see and track the puck. The Bolts will want some extended offensive zone time and make sure that they take advantage of their scoring chances. 

What to Watch For: Lightning Can't Look Down on Opposition

The Lightning can't assume that this game won't take any effort to win. Tampa Bay needs to come into this game ready to play, and with some energy. The Coyotes aren't just going to roll over and give them the two points easily so the Lightning players better be ready to work for the win and two points.

Lighting Strikes Weekly Preview

The Lighting will finish a tough road trip with a 2-1-1 record. They will start off the trip with a win against the Blackhawks. The goaltending will steal them a point in Colorado, but they'll lose in overtime or a shootout. They'll go to Vegas and make it a close game, but Vegas is heating up so they'll lose the game in regulation. The team will bounce back against the Coyotes and pick up the win. 

Sabres Slashes: Squaring Off Against the Western Conference

The Buffalo Sabres look to continue their winning ways this week against some tough opponents from the Western Conference. They will face the defending Western Conference champions Vegas Golden Knights, a fast Colorado Avalanche team, and an Arizona Coyotes team looking to take that next step.

Monday, 10.8.18 vs. Vegas Golden Knights- 3 p.m.

The Sabres will play a rare weekday afternoon game as it is Columbus Day in the U.S. and Thanksgiving in Canada. Buffalo will face a tough opponent in the Golden Knights, but the team can be beaten. The Sabres need to come out of the gate fast and establish a good forecheck. They'll need to be aware of the transition speed of the Golden Knights and make sure that they have players back to make it a little easier on the goalie. They can't leave the goalie out to dry or it could be a very long game.

Buffalo's play in the neutral zone will have to be good to slow down the Golden Knights. They want to clog the neutral zone, put bodies on the opposing players, and force the Golden Knights to dump the puck into the offensive zone, instead of skating it in. If the Sabres manage to get a lead, then they don't want to sit back, but attack because the Golden Knights keep coming. 

Thursday, 10.11.18 vs. Colorado Avalanche- 7 p.m.

The Avalanche have a balanced lineup so the Sabres need to figure out a way to slow them down. They may want to try to establish a solid forecheck and offensive zone time early to force the Avs to defend rather than to be on the attack. The Sabres will want to keep an eye on Nathan MacKinnon, who can make a team's defenders look silly. The Avalanche have allowed some goals in the first and second periods, but then shut it down in the third. Buffalo wants to come out with energy and get some shots on goal with some traffic in front of the goalie. 

The Sabres need to watch out for the Avalanche defense since can move the puck and will join the play in the offensive zone. Buffalo is going to need to play a solid, team defensive game while taking some chances offensively to get the puck in the net. They will need to play with discipline and need their top guys like Jack Eichel and Conor Sheary to use their speed to get open and create in the offensive zone. The biggest thing the Sabres need to do to try to get the two points is to have the lead after two periods since the Avalanche are 2-0 when leading after two periods.

Saturday, 10.13.18 @ Arizona Coyotes- 9 p.m.

The Sabres will play their first road game of the season and it just happens to be against a team that is struggling very early to put the puck in the net. The Coyotes have played two games and have been shutout in both, but in their defense, they've played two good teams. Buffalo can't play down to its opponent and just think they can win this game without playing solid hockey. The Sabres should come out with some energy to start the game and force some turnovers. 

Buffalo needs to establish a good forecheck and use it throughout the game, not just in the first period to try to get a lead. They'll need to avoid mistakes and have the goalie bail them out at times throughout the game. If the team should get down in the game then they need to keep attacking because the Coyotes will give up some chances and goals. The Sabres need to take advantage of their opportunities, don't overpass, but rather take the shot if it's there.

Predicting the Sabres' Week Against the Western Conference

The Sabres could get anywhere from zero to six points this week. It is unlikely that they will go undefeated against these three teams. The Golden Knights and Avalanche will be a good challenge to see where the Sabres stand. The game against the Coyotes doesn't automatically mean two points, they are going to have to work for those points.

The Sabres have a tough schedule this week, so I see them going 1-1-1 and getting three points. If they play up to their ability, then I think they could steal two points from either Vegas or Colorado, but I'll play it safe until the Sabres prove that they can consistently beat the playoff caliber teams.

Preds Prey: Weekly Preview 3/11/18-3/17/18

The Nashville Predators look to add some distance between them and the rest of the playoff contenders this week as they play three games. They will have to gain some points while on the road since two of the three games are away from Bridgestone Arena.

The Preds will take on the Winnipeg Jets at home on Tuesday night, which should be an entertaining game. They will then travel to Arizona to take on the Coyotes, whom they should not underestimate since the Coyotes have been play decent hockey of late. Nashville will end the week in Colorado facing an Avalanche team that has surprised everyone and is right in the thick of the playoff race this year.

Nashville will face the Jets on Tuesday night and this game has the potential to be bonkers. The last time these two teams met, the Predators pulled out a 6-5 regulation win. The Preds will want to play with some discipline since the Jets power play is the second best in the NHL. Nashville will want to get the first goal of the game to keep a raucous crowd involved in the game. The Predators will want to get the forelock established in this game and be willing to win the board battles. Nashville is going to need to find a way to keep Patrik Laine and Blake Wheeler in check since they are the two leading scorers for Winnipeg.

The Jets need to have Connor Hellebuyck to have one of his best games of the year, if they want to steal two points on the road against the team directly in front of them in the standings. Winnipeg should be aware of how Nashville's defensemen like to jump up and be involved on the offensive side of the puck. The Jets need to get off to a fast start, and be engaged in this game from the drop of the puck. Winnipeg wants to limit their mistakes and turnovers while playing some really good team defense.

On Thursday night, the Preds need to be careful not to take the Coyotes lightly or overlook them. Nashville wants to get off to a fast start and get the first goal of the game. If the Predators can get an early  lead then they need to keep attacking and not sit back to allow Arizona to get back in the game. Nashville should try to take advantage of a weak Coyotes penalty kill. They will need to win the battle at even strength and just make sure that they come out ready to play with energy and effort.

The Coyotes will want to get the first goal of the game to build their confidence. Arizona needs to have the lead entering the final period since they are 14-3-3 when leading after two, while being 4-25-4 while trailing after two periods. The biggest key to winning this game or even competing against the Predators is to avoid the mental mistakes and turnovers because they can turn into goals for Nashville pretty quickly. Arizona needs to get some bodies in front of the net to take away the goalie's eyes.

Nashville ends the week with another game against a Central Division opponent, the Colorado Avalanche. The Preds should try to get the first goal of the game since the Avs are 30-6-3 when scoring first. Nashville will want to play with discipline because the Avalanche can score some goals while on the man advantage. The Preds need to make sure that they have energy from the drop of the puck because if they aren't ready to play then the Avs could jump all over them and take the early lead. The Predators need to get a really good game from the starting goalie, who needs to make saves when needed and not allow any soft goals.

Colorado will want to get the first goal of the game to keep the home crowd in the game, which could feel like a playoff game. The Avalanche needs to have the lead entering the third period since they are only 2-20-4 when trailing after two periods this year. The Avs will also need their starting goalie to come up big when called upon because the Preds will get their opportunities to score. Colorado will have to play a complete 60  minute game to have a shot at beating their Central Division foe.

Let's Make A Deal: Chicago Blackhawks/Arizona Coyotes Edition

The Chicago Blackhawks have been struggling so it was only a matter of time before Stan Bowman made a move. It may not have been the move that most would have expected, but a trade was made with the Arizona Coyotes.

Bowman acquired forward Anthony Duclair and defenseman Adam Clendening from the Coyotes for forwards Richard Panik and Laurent Dauphin. Duclair will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, while Panik will still have another year left on his contract. The deal will help the Hawks save $1.6 million against the salary cap this year and another $2.8 million next season. It was a smart move by Bowman to get rid of Panik's terrible contract, and free up more cap space, while getting a younger NHL player in return.

Duclair, 22 years old, is playing in his third full season in the NHL. In 33 games so far, he has nine goal, six assists, 15 points and is averaging 13:27 of ice time per game. He also has three power play goals and one game winning goal. Duclair does have two goals in his last two games played, even though he has only been playing fourth line and power play minutes. Duclair has really been struggling this season with having been relegated to fourth line minutes and being a healthy scratch at times this year. His longest goal scoring streak has been two games this year.

Duclair is a natural goal scorer, has a quick release, and can play either side of the wing. He needs to work on his defensive game, and become more consistent. The forward does have a hat trick this year which came back in November against the Ottawa Senators. He has passed his goal output from last season and has tied his point total from last season while playing just 33 games. A fresh start and a change of scenery should do Duclair good especially since he should be in a top nine role, and not stuck on the fourth line. He could see top six minutes since he will add some speed and scoring depth to the team.

Adam Clendening played in five games with the Coyotes this year and had two assists. He averaged 15:56 of ice time per game. The defenseman played most of the season with the Tucson Roadrunners, the AHL Affiliate of the Coyotes, where he had one goal, four assists, five points and 40 penalty minutes in 26 games played. Clendening just can't seem to stick with one organization. He has been traded four times since 2015, and claimed off waivers once. He has also signed with two different teams during free agency the past two seasons. He can move the puck and is good in his own zone. When he's on the ice, he doesn't necessarily wow or overwhelm with this skill so that could be part of the reason that he has been traded so many times in a short period of time. The 25-year-old is a depth defenseman and every team needs those type of players to make the organization better.

Richard Panik is 26 years old, and has been struggling in his own right this year. He has six goals, 10 assists, 16 points and has averaged 14:17 of ice time per game in 37 games played. Panik signed a two year, $5.6 million deal last May, and that just hasn't worked out for the Blackhawks. He does have three power play goals on the season. The change of scenery could also work out well for Panik because there won't be any pressure on him in Arizona, where he could have a chance to flourish.

The forward does have the skill required to be a top six guy. Panik can score to go along with hockey sense. He can play a solid 2-way game and can be on the penalty kill, if need. He needs to get more consistent within every game and from game-to-game. The 26-year-old will throw his body around and get in on the forecheck. Panik has one goal, one assists, two points and nine shots on goal in his past five games. He will be relied on to score some goals and play solid defense for the Coyotes, who have young players on the roster.

Laurent Dauphin will return to the Coyotes, who traded him to the Blackhawks in the offseason in order to acquire defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson. Dauphin has been playing with the Rockford IceHogs, the AHL Affiliate of the Blackhawks. In 33 games, he has four goals, 10 assists, 14 points, three power play goals and one game-winning goal. He will add speed to the lineup alongs with energy. Dauphin can also skate and create for himself or his teammates. The Coyotes are getting a player that they know a lot about in Dauphin.

Leafs Notes: Weekly Preview 11/19/17-11/25/17

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be a busy bunch this week with four games in six days. They will look to keep pace with the Tampa Bay Lightning, who are first in the Atlantic Division.

The Leafs will take on the lowly Arizona Coyotes on Monday night at home. They will then travel to Florida to take on the Panthers, who are seventh in the Atlantic Division. Toronto will visit the Hurricanes on Friday. The Maple Leafs will end their week on Saturday with a rematch of last year's playoffs and face the Capitals at home.

Toronto wants to make sure that they don't look past the Coyotes on Monday night, Yes, the Coyotes are the worst team in the League, but you never know when a team is going to come play. The Maple Leafs are going to have to use their speed since the Coyotes have some of their own players that can fly around on the ice. The Leafs need to cash in on their power play chances because the Coyotes aren't the best penalty killing team around. Toronto needs to get pucks on net when they have the chance since the Coyotes tend to let up a lot of goals. The Maple Leafs will need to find a way to contain Clayton Keller, who leads Arizona in goals and points, while Oliver Ekman-Larsson leads the team in assists.

The Coyotes are going to want to establish the forecheck early in this game along with their cycle game because the longer they make the Leafs defend, the better their chances. Arizona will need to be sure to get traffic and bodies in front of Frederik Andersen since he is coming off of a week where he was named the NHL's second star of the week. The 'Yotes will need to stay out of the penalty box since the Leafs have a dangerous power play, and they will also need to find a way to play a solid defensive road game. The Coyotes are going to need to find a way to stop Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.

The Maple Leafs will need to be sure to get off to a fast start against the Panthers on Wednesday night. They will want to get the first goal of the game, and keep attacking. Toronto needs to find a way to keep Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov, Evegny Dadonov and Vincent Trocheck in-check since they are the main point producers for the team. The Leafs need to get another good start from the goalies since the defense is going to allow chances and turn the puck over. Toronto needs to make sure that they play with discipline because the Panthers can be dangerous on the power play especially their first unit.

Florida will need to get the first goal of the game to keep the home crowd in the game. The Panthers need to get off to a better start in this game since they've been outscored 16-13 in the first period of games, and the Leafs have scored 28 first period goals. Florida will need to establish the fore-check early and be aggressive by trying to keep the puck in the offensive zone. The Cats will need to pressure the puck carrier since the Leafs will turn the pucks over whether its in the neutral zone or their own zone. Florida will need to have a lead entering the third period since they only have two third period comebacks in 11 chances. They also should try to contain Nazem Kadri and James van Riemsdyk, who are second and third in points on the team.

The Leafs need to play a solid road game against the Hurricanes, avoid the sloppiness and turnovers. Toronto will need to be good while at even strength since the Hurricanes tend to outscore their opponents when five-on-five. The Maple Leafs will need to take advantage of their power play opportunities since the Canes aren't the best penalty killing teams on home ice. Toronto needs to have some consistency within the game and not have a lapse where they aren't focused. The Leafs will also need to contain the red-hot Teuvo Teravainen, who was named the NHL's first star of the week.

The Hurricanes will need to watch out for the Leafs defensemen joining the play in the offensive zone. Carolina should try to get the first goal of the game to keep the home crowd in it, and because they play better when they score the first goal of the game. The Hurricanes will need to be better on special teams especially on the penalty kill since the Leafs have a really good power play. Carolina will need to figure out a way to stop the balanced lineup of the Leafs, and a good way to do that would be to make the Leafs defend. The goalie is going to need to come up big for the Hurricanes since the Leafs are scoring almost four goals per game played.

Toronto will end their week with a rematch of last year's first round of the postseason against the Capitals. The Maple Leafs will need to find a way to contain Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Toronto will need to get plenty of traffic around the opposing net for deflections and second  chances. The Leafs will also need to feed off the energy of the crowd and get off to a fast start. The special teams of the Leafs are going to need to be good as will the goaltending.

The Capitals will need to figure out a way to stop the balanced attack of the Maple Leafs. They will also need to be aware of the speed of the Leafs. The Capitals will need for pressure the puck carrier and force turnovers. Washington will also need to play a physical game, but be smart of when to hit and when not to make the hit. The Caps will also need to establish a fore-check and cycle game to have some sustained offensive zone pressure.

Shooting Stars: Weekly Preview 10/15/17-10/21/17

The Dallas Stars should be able to get some wins this week since they have a home-and-home with the Arizona Coyotes and face the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Stars take on the Coyotes at home on Tuesday night, then again on Thursday in Arizona before finishing up their week back home to face the Hurricanes, who have struggled a little to start the season.

The Stars will need to get the first goal of the game when they face the Coyotes. They also will need to not look past Arizona thinking it is going to be an easy four points and two wins. Dallas needs to stay out of the penalty box since they don't have a great penalty kill of their own and the Coyotes have a good power play. The Stars need to get off to a fast start and establish the tone of the games early since they only have three first period goals. Dallas needs to keep an eye on Clayton Keller and Max Domi, who are tied for the team lead in points.

The Coyotes will need to get the first goal of the game, and get a ton of pucks on net. They will also need to pressure the defense of the Stars to force some turnovers. Arizona needs to be willing to work in the two games and win some board battles to establish some offensive zone time. The Coyotes have to watch out for the defensemen since they like to join the play in the offensive zone. Arizona needs to find a way to contain the offense of the Stars since they can bring a balanced attack and put the puck in the net.

The Stars need to keep an eye on the balanced attack of the Carolina Hurricanes. Dallas needs to be physical and force turnovers. The Stars need to get traffic in front of the net so they can take away the goalie's eyes. Dallas needs to have a solid 60 minute effort, and not look past the Hurricanes. The goalie is going to have to make saves since the 'Canes do manage to get a ton of shots on net.

Carolina will need to keep firing the puck on net because the Stars will give up some goals. The Hurricanes need to find a way to stop the balanced attack of the Stars since all four lines can produce and spend time in the offensive zone. The 'Canes need to get off to a better start and score some first period goals since they only have two of them in three games. Carolina needs to take sure that they know where Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin are when they are on the ice. The Hurricanes need to get the first goal of the game and play a solid defensive game.