Lightning Strikes: Weekly Preview 3/11/18-3/17/18

The Tampa Bay Lightning will play only two games this week, but those games are against Atlantic Division opponents so there are some important points up for grabs. The Bolts will also have the advantage of playing in front of the home crowd for both games.

On Tuesday night, an underachieving Ottawa Senators team visits Amalie Arena. The red hot Boston Bruins will then come to town for an all important game on Saturday night. The Sens will be look to play the role of spoiler, while the Bruins will be trying their best to gain ground on the Lightning and put some distance between them and the Leafs.

The Bolts should get off to a fast start against an Ottawa team that has been outscored by 10 goals in the first periods of games this season. They will want to set the tone early and be ready to play early in this one. Tampa Bay needs to not play down to their opponent and look ahead to the Bruins game because that could cost them two valuable points in the standings. The Lightning want to get plenty of pucks on net with traffic in front since the Sens goalies have been anything but solid this year. The Bolts should have an easy time winning the special teams battle even though the penalty kill has been an area of concern all season long.

The Senators are going to want to figure out a way to stop the balanced lineup of the Bolts. They have four lines that can beat you at any given time during a game. Ottawa needs to play solid team defense, have the forwards help out and the goalie make some saves. The Sens want to take away the time and space of the Lightning so they can't create in the offensive zone. The Senators needs to play with discipline since the Lightning have one of the best power play units in the League. Ottawa needs the goaltending to come up big for them in order to steal two points in this game.

The Lightning will have three days off before they face the Bruins in a huge divisional game at home. The Bolts want to be involved from the drop of the puck since they will have had three days without seeing any game action. Tampa Bay should get the forecheck and cycle games going early and often in this game to keep the Bruins busy defending. The Lightning need to get plenty of traffic in front of the net and shots on goal. The Bolts should limit their mistakes and turnovers because the Bruins can and will take advantage of sloppy play. Andrei Vasilevskiy will likely be the starter and he needs to play at the Vezina level that he has been playing at all year for the Lightning to have a shot at this game.

The Bruins have been red hot lately, and the loss of Patrice Bergeron hasn't seemed to affect them. Boston needs to get off to a fast start and be engaged from the drop of the puck since the Lightning will have had three days off. The Bruins will want to get plenty of traffic and screens in front of the net because if Vasilevskiy can see the puck then he is going to stop it. The team may also want to try elevating the net since the Bolts goalie can cover the bottom portion of the net well. Boston needs to get a good game from their starting goalie. The Bruins should try to have the lead when entering the final period of play since they are 28-0-2 when leading after two periods.

3 Things: Boston Bruins @ Buffalo Sabres: 2/25/18

While the Buffalo Sabres wait and see what is going on with Evander Kane and whether he will get traded or not, the team still has some games to play.

It will not be an easy week for them this week as they face three Atlantic Division foes, starting tonight, with facing the Boston Bruins.

Here are three things to watch for in the game:

1.) RICK NASH- BOSTON

The Bruins acquired forward Rick Nash from the New York Rangers earlier today for a haul that included Ryan Lindgren, Ryan Spooner, Matt Beleksey and some draft picks. If he does play in tonight's game, how effective will he be, and which line will he be on? The already balanced lineup of the Bruins gets a lift since Nash has 18 goals on the year to go with 28 points. Will the addition of Rick Nash affect the chemistry of the lines or will he just do what he does best and score goals? There are a lot of questions surrounding Rick Nash tonight, but the timing of the trade is perfect since Patrice Bergeron is a game-time decision due to an injury.

2.) READY TO PLAY FROM DROP OF THE PUCK- BUFFALO

 The Sabres have really struggled since Jack Eichel hasn't been in the lineup due to injury. The team will need to be ready to play from the drop of the puck since the Bruins aren't going to hold anything back especially after a tough loss against the Toronto Maple Leafs last night. Buffalo gave up the first goal of the game after sloppy play in their own zone last night in under a minute into the game. Phil Housley can't be happy with the team's play of late, giving up goals early and not playing the way that they should be playing.

3.) FORECHECK- BOSTON & BUFFALO

These two teams will both want to establish the forecheck early in the game for different reasons. The Bruins will want to get in on the forecheck to force some turnovers and get set up in the offensive zone so they can get a ton of pucks on net. The Sabres want to establish the forecheck to keep the Bruins hemmed in their own zone, defending, and not in the offensive zone firing the puck towards their goalie since the Bruins have a very balanced lineup. The two teams should also try to get the cycle game going. Buffalo needs to find a way to get that sustained offensive zone pressure to create chances and put some puck in the opposition's net.

Shooting Stars: Weekly Preview 1/14/18-1/20/18

The Dallas Stars look to bounce back after a rough loss to the Colorado Avalanche coming off of their bye week. 

The Stars will face only Eastern Conference opponents this week, and it will be a long week on the road. They'll first face the Boston Bruins on Monday for a matinee game. Dallas will then travel to Detroit and take on the Red Wings on Tuesday night. The Stars will then travel to Columbus to take on a struggling Blue Jackets team on Thursday night. Dallas ends its week on Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres.

The Stars take on a surging Bruins team on Monday afternoon. Dallas will need to get off to a fast start to establish the forecheck game early and often. The Stars will also need to limit their mistakes and play a good defensive game. Dallas will need to keep an eye on the first line of the Bruins, which is comprised of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak. The Stars need to get the first goal of the game. Dallas will need to get a good game out of the starting goaltender, Kari Lehtonen.

Boston need to keep playing the way that they are playing. The Bruins needs to keep getting contributions from their rookie and younger players. Boston will need to get the first goal of the game and keep the home crowd behind them. The Bruins want to have the lead entering the third and final period of the game since they are a better team when entering the third period with a lead. Boston should get a good game from their starting goaltender.

On Tuesday, the Stars take on what has been an average Red Wings team so far this year. Dallas will need to stay out of the penalty box even though the Detroit power play is the middle of the pack. The Stars need to take advantage of the middle of the pack penalty kill of the Red Wings. Dallas needs to get off to a fast start and establish the tone of the game early. The Stars will need to have a better third period and finish to the game since they have been outscored 49-33. Dallas wants the balanced scoring throughout the lineup to continue against this game.

The Red Wings need to play a complete game. Detroit wants to be better at even strength since they have been outscore 87-75. The Red Wings will need to stay out of the penalty box since the Stars have a decent power play. Detroit will need to have a lead entering the final period of the game, and the goaltending needs to be good. Detroit needs to find a way to stop Tyler Seguin and John Klingberg.

Dallas takes on a struggling Blue Jackets team that has only won four games in their last 10 games. The Stars want to get the first goal of the game and use their speed to create. Dallas will need to stop Artemi Panarin and Pierre-Luc Dubois, who are an important part of the Blue Jackets' offense. The Stars should be aware of where the Blue Jackets defense is because they like to join the play and create in the offensive zone. Dallas will want to take advantage of a struggling Columbus team by forcing turnovers and getting in on the forecheck.

Columbus needs to get a good game from its starting goaltender. The Blue Jackets need to make sure that they play with discipline since the Stars power play can be dangerous. Columbus will need to be better at even strength and they will somehow need to get their power play going, which has struggled all season. The Blue Jackets will need to get the first goal of the game and keep attacking. Columbus needs to get off to a fast start and set the tone of the game early.

The Stars end their busy week with a visit to the Sabres. Dallas will need to pressure the puck carrier and force turnovers. The Stars should establish the forecheck early and get the cycle game going. Dallas wants to get the first goal of the game and not sit back. The Stars will also want to make sure that they don't play down to the opponent or overlook the Sabres.

Buffalo will want to establish a forecheck early and spend some time in the offensive zone. They should also try to get a good cycle game going early in the game. The Sabres want to come out with some energy, and establish the tone of the game early. Buffalo wants to be smart and limit their mistakes throughout the game. The Sabres will need to get some secondary scoring. Buffalo will need to have a good game from their goaltending. 

Preds Prey: Weekly Preview 12/3/17-12/9/17

The Nashville Predators look to carry over their red hot play from the month of November, where they went 10-3-1, into December.

The Preds will play two games at home this week and another one on the road. Nashville will start their week off by taking on the Boston Bruins, who are playing better of late and have gotten some key injured players back into the lineup. On Tuesday night, the Preds will play the second game of a back-to-back set in Dallas against the Stars, who are on a winning streak of their own. It will be a big chance for Nashville to pick up two big points within the division. The Predators will end their week by facing the Golden Knights, who have been a surprise in the early going, at home.

Nashville will need to have a good game at even strength since the special teams of the Bruins have been decent so far. The Preds will need to stop the top line of the Bruins, especially David Pastrnak, who leads the team in goals and points. The Predators are going to need to be good with the puck and avoid turnovers and costly mistakes, which the Bruins can force a team into making. Nashville will need to have a good game from the goalie, Pekka Rinne since the Bruins will get their chances. The Preds will need to keep an eye on Charlie McAvoy and Torey Krug since they both like to jump into the offensive zone, and can set up teammates.

The Bruins will need to keep the play of good special teams going in this game since the Predators can put the puck in the net on the power play. Boston will need to keep a eye of Filip Forsberg, who leads the team in goals and points. The Bruins will want to have the lead entering the final frame of the game since they have only gained a point in one of the eight games when trailing after the second period. Boston will need to get the first goal of the game and take the raucous Nashville crowd out of the game. The Bruins are going to need to play a solid, 60 minute road game and bring the team defense.

On Tuesday night, the Predators have a chance to gain two big points in the Central Division. Nashville will need to have the lead entering the third period since they have yet to win a game when trailing going into the third period. The Preds will need to get it together on the power play since they are only converting 12.5% of its opportunities while away from home. Nashville is going to have to rely on team defense meaning the forwards and goalie will also have to be good. The Predators will need to keep a eye on defenseman John Klingberg, who leads the team in assists.

Dallas will need to stop the balanced attack of the Predators and a good way to do that is to get the forecheck going early to get some sustained offensive zone time. The Stars will need to watch Nashville's defensemen as they like to join the play on the rush or even lead the rush into the offensive zone. The Stars are going to need to stay out of the penalty box, and get a good game from the starting goaltending. Dallas will want to get the first goal of the game, and avoid the turnovers in the neutral zone since the Preds have some speed in the transition game.

The Preds finish off their week with a game against the Golden Knights. Nashville will need to keep an eye on the red hot William Karlsson, who leads Vegas in goals and points. The Predators will need to play a consistent game for 60 minutes and not slack off once they have the lead or in the final period of the game where they have been outscored 33-22 so far on the year. The Preds will need to have a lead entering the third period. The special teams of the Predators will need to be good, as will the goaltending to have a chance at winning the game. Nashville needs to be better at even strength especially since the Golden Knights are decent at even strength play themselves this year.

Vegas will need to have a good game from their starting goaltender, whomever that may be by the time the puck drops on Friday night. The Golden Knights will need to be aware of the transition speed of the Preds. Vegas needs to have a better third period since Nashville has also been struggling to finish games. The Golden Knights need to avoid turnovers and mistakes with the puck since Nashville can make one pay for turnovers. Vegas is going to need to be aware of where Forsberg is when he is on the ice.

3 Keys: Maple Leaf @ Bruins-11/11/17

The Toronto Maple Leafs will take on the Boston Bruins on Saturday night in the second half of a home-and-home series. The Leafs could be without Auston Matthews since he has an upper body injury.

Here are three keys to the game:

1.) GET 1ST GOAL- MAPLE LEAFS

The Toronto Maple Leafs need to have a good start to the game, and that includes getting the first goal of the game. They'll need to get the first goal to take the home crowd out of the game, and because the Bruins are a better team when they score the first goal of the game. The Leafs will need to establish an early forecheck and cycle game in the first 10 minutes of the game. The more they are in the offensive zone, the less that they'll have to defend and that means less shots on goal for the goalies to try to stop. Toronto needs keep attacking once they get a goal because these are important points in the division that are up for grabs.

2.) ATTACK TORONTO DEFENSE- BRUINS

The Bruins needs to attack the Leafs defense and make them turn the puck over. Boston needs to win races to pucks and get in behind Toronto's defense to make plays to get some offensive zone time and scoring chances. The Leafs will turnover the puck, and the Bruins need to take advantage of the turnovers. Toronto's defense has not been the best in the League this year, and if they are pressured with their time and space taken away then they will make mistakes. Boston needs to make sure that they force those turnovers and capitalize on them.

3.) MITCH MARNER VS. DAVID PASTRNAK- LEAFS & BRUINS

The Maple Leafs are going to need for Mitch Marner to play his game, and not worry about how he has only scored one goal in 17 games played this year. Marner needs to create with his speed, and get the puck on net so the goals will come. The Bruins will need the production that they have had all season from David Pastrnak. Pastrnak has nine goals, seven assists and 16 points in 14 games played this year. He will need to keep crashing the net, and use his speed to get to the net.

3 Keys: Bruins @ Maple Leafs- 11/10/17

The Toronto Maple Leafs will play host to the Boston Bruins tonight. The Leafs are coming off of a 4-2 win over the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night, while the Bruins are coming off of a 4-2 loss to the New York Rangers on Wednesday night.

Here are three keys to this Atlantic Division matchup:

1.) EVEN STRENGTH PLAY- MAPLE LEAFS

The Leafs are going to need to play a solid game at even strength and avoid costly turnovers. The Bruins are in the top six of the NHL in both power play and penalty kill percentage. Toronto has played okay at even strength but could be better this year. Auston Matthews missed Wednesday's game with an upper body injury, and could very well miss both of the home-and-home game with the Bruins. should that happen then players need to step up to help produce. The Maple Leafs will need to be strong on the puck, win the board battles and establish a forecheck early in the game to win the battle at even strength.

2.) SPECIAL TEAMS- BRUINS

The Bruins have been very good on special teams this season so far, and that will need to continue against the Leafs. Boston is has converted on 12 of its 51 power play opportunities, but they have also given up two shorthanded goals. The Bruins power play is operating at 23.5%, which is good for sixth in the League. Boston have only allowed six power play goals against while being shorthanded 48 times this year, and they have also scored twice while on the penalty kill. The Bruins will need to continue its stellar special teams play since the Leafs have a decent power play themselves, and can put the puck in the net.

5.) GOALTENDING- MAPLE LEAFS & BRUINS

The goalies for each team have been decent this season, but they could be better in making some timely saves. Tuukka Rask has been the main goalie for the Bruins this year and is 3-5-2 is 10 games played this year. He has a 2.76 goals against average, .903 save percentage and as allowed 27 goals. Anton Khudobin is 3-0-1 in five games played, and has a 2.52 goals against and a .926 save percentage. Frederik Andersen is 9-6-0 in 15 games this year to go with a 3.33 goals against and .898 save percentage. Andersen has let in some soft goals this year at key times during games. Curtis McElhinney has only played in two games, and has allowed eight goals.

Sabres Slashes: Weekly Preview 10/15/17-10/21/17

The Buffalo Sabres are going to need to need to have a quick turn around. The Sabres lost to the Los Angeles Kings last night, and they'll need to forget about it because they take on the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday night. 

Buffalo then takes on the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday night before flying home  to take on the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night. The Sabres finish up a tough week facing division rivals, the Boston Bruins in Boston. The Sabres need to find a way to get its first win of the year this week because once they get that first win, they'll gain some confidence in their play.

The Sabres need to start playing better, and not standing around expecting to lose. When they are in their own zone, the players on the ice need to keep their feet moving and anticipate where the puck is going to go and not just stand around waiting for the other team to score. Buffalo needs to have a better effort against the Ducks because Anaheim can score, and will capitalize off mistakes. Whether Chad Johnson or Robin Lehner starts for the Sabres, the goalies really need to start making some saves to bail the team out of trouble. Buffalo needs more production out of the second, third and fourth lines because a team can't win with only one line producing. The Sabres should keep an eye on the Ducks' leading scorer, Andrew Cogliano, and the rest of his line since they have speed, can create and can finish.

Anaheim needs to find a way to get its offense going, and scoring some goals while on the man advantage could really help. The Ducks need to find a way to stop the trio of Evander Kane, Jack Eichel and Jason Pominville since this has been the only line really producing for Buffalo. Anaheim needs to take advantage of home ice and get off to a fast start. The Sabres have yet to win a game when the opposition scores the first goal so the Ducks need to get that first goal of the game. If Anaheim can get a good forecheck and cycle game going then they should be able to catch the Sabres standing around in their own zone, and get some good chances to put the puck in the net. 

On Tuesday night, the Sabres take on the Golden Knights. The Sabres are going to need to contain James Neal, who is off to a hot start. Buffalo is going to need to get the first goal and take the lead into intermission. Buffalo may luck out since Marc-Andre Fleury, Jonathan Marchessault and Erik Haula could all miss the game due to injury. The Sabres are going to need to keep their feet moving at both ends of the ice and not get caught standing around.

The Golden Knights should try to get off to a fast start and get the first goal of the game. Vegas will also need to pressure the puck carrier since the Sabres have 42 turnovers on the season. The Golden Knights need someone besides James Neal to start putting the puck in the net. They will also need some better even strength play, and capitalize when they are on the man advantage. Vegas will need to pay attention to Kane, Eichel and Pominville since they seem to be the only three players producing for the Sabres.

On Friday night, the Sabres come home to take on the Canucks. The Canucks will be in the middle of a five game road trip so the Sabres need to take advantage of them by getting off to a fast start. Buffalo needs to get in front of the net and get some dirty goals. In order to spend some time in the offensive zone, the Sabres are going to need to win some face-offs and board battles. Buffalo also need to watch out for the speed of the Canucks especially if Jake Virtanen and Brock Boeser are in the lineup. 

Vancouver needs to play a solid road game and be smart with and without the puck. They will need a decent game from the goalie since they are coming off of playing the Boston Bruins on Thursday night and could be a little tired. The Canucks are going to need to get the first goal and build off of it since the Sabres have struggled so far this year. Vancouver also needs to be better at even strength then the Sabres.

On Saturday night, the Sabres visit the Bruins in a divisional matchup. Buffalo needs to get the lead and a smart road game since the Bruins can capitalize on turnovers. They will also need to stay out of the penalty box since the Bruins have a decent power play. The Sabres also need to  keep an eye on the top six of the Bruins especially Brad Marchand, David Krejci and David Pastrnak. Buffalo needs to force the bottom six into beating them by keeping the top six in-check.

The Bruins need to score the first goal and keep the home crowd in the game. Boston could have Patrice Bergeron back by this game, and that could be a huge boost for the offense. The Bs need to get Pastrnak going since he hasn't been very consistent in the early going after signing a new contract in the offseason. Boston needs to get the home power play going and be better on the penalty kill.