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

The Buffalo Sabres veteran players will look to finish out the stretch run strong, while the young kids will look to make an impression for next season.

The Sabres only play twice this week and have off until Thursday night when the Toronto Maple Leafs come to town. On Saturday they will take on the struggling and underachieving Chicago Blackhawks.

Buffalo will look to steal two points from the Maple Leafs when they come to town on Thursday night. The Sabres need to limit their mistakes with and without the puck since the Leafs have the ability to finish. Buffalo will want to play the game with some discipline since their penalty kill has been in the bottom of the League for a majority of the season. The Sabres need to get the first goal of the game and keep attacking along with getting shots on net since Freddie Andersen has been giving up some goals lately. Buffalo will need a solid 60 minute effort if they hope to gain two points in the standings.

The Leafs need to find a way to win in Buffalo. They lost lost 5-3 on March 5, which has been the only time the two teams have met so far this year. The Maple Leafs needs to get off to a good start by getting pucks on net, getting scoring chances, pressuring the Sabres players into turning the puck over. Toronto will want to be engaged in this game from the drop of the puck. The Leafs will want to get the first goal of the game and take the home crowd out of the game. Toronto will want to establish their forecheck and cycle game early and often in this one to keep the Sabres hemmed in their own zone.

On Saturday, the Blackhawks will take on the Sabres. It will be a battle of two teams that have really struggled this year. Buffalo will need to take advantage of a struggling road penalty kill of the Blackhawks. The Sabres want to get off to a fast start and get plenty of pucks on net since goaltending hasn't exactly been Chicago's strong suit with Corey Crawford sidelined. They should try to have the lead entering the final period since they are 15-0-5 when leading after two periods. The Sabres need to get a good game from the starting goaltender.

The Blackhawks need to take advantage of playing a team below them in the standings, who could still be without their best player. Chicago needs to come out with a ton of energy to start the game and be willing to grind it out. The Blackhawks should try to take advantage of a not-so-hot penalty kill of the Sabres. Chicago needs to play a good defensive game and have the goalie make some saves. The Blackhawks need to get the first goal of the game.

Preds Prey: Weekly Preview 1/28/18-2/3/18

The Nashville Predators look to continue to climb up the standings in the Central Division to get better playoff positioning.

The Preds will take on the Chicago Blackhawks tonight on NBCSN at 8 p.m. EST at home. On Thursday the struggling Los Angeles Kings will visit the city of Nashville for a Western Conference battle. The Predators finish up the week at home against the New York Rangers on Saturday.

The Predators look to gain an important two points against Central Division foe, the Chicago Blackhawks tonight. Nashville needs to get a good game from the goaltending since the Blackhawks will have their chances to score. The Preds will want to finish the game with a strong final period and not give up the lead in the final period, should they have it. The Predators should be ready to play coming off of the break and expect an intense, physical match up since the Blackhawks have some ground to make up in the playoff race. Nashville will need to set the tone early whether it be fast paced or a physical one. The Preds need to force turnovers since Blackhawks will turn the puck over.

The Blackhawks will want to have one of their best games of the year tonight to try to build momentum for the rest of the season and get back in the playoff race. Chicago needs to get the power play going because they have too much fire power to be one of the worst in the League. The Blackhawks should try to avoid the penalty box at all costs since the Predators have one of the best power plays in the League. Chicago needs to get the lead in this game and be able to hold it. The Blackhawks need a good game from their starting goaltender tonight because the Predators can flat out score and they get production from the blue line too.

The ice cold Los Angeles Kings come to Nashville on Thursday night. The Preds need to take advantage of a team that has been struggling in every facet of the game the past few weeks. Nashville will need to play a 60 minute game because the Kings still have some guys that can score. The Predators should get off to a fast start in this game and use their speed to create. Nashville will need to get plenty of traffic and elevate their chances especially if Jonathan Quick is back in net for the Kings. The Predators need to get the forecheck and cycle game established early in this game.

The Kings need to get off to a good start and find a way to spend some time in the offensive zone. Los Angeles might want to find a way to slow down the Predators offense. The Kings will need to get their power play going with some chances and goals. They will need to play a strong game at even strength since the Predators play a good game. The Kings will need to get some pucks on net and play physical, but also play smart.

The New York Rangers will visit Nashville on Saturday. The Predators need to pressure the defense of the Rangers to force turnovers. Nashville will need to get pucks on net with plenty of traffic especially of Lundqvist is in between the pipes. The Preds will need to stay out of the penalty box since the Rangers have a decent power play. Nashville will need to be smart and patient with the puck because the Rangers like to block a lot of shots. They will also want to have a lead entering the final period.

The Rangers will want to get the first goal of the game to take the crowd out of the game. New York will need to keep the pressure on the Predators and keep coming whether they are ahead or down in the game. The Rags need to play a disciplined game since the Preds have one of the best power plays in the League. The Rangers will need to play a solid road game with strong defense. New York will need to force turnovers and take advantage of those turnovers.

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.

Preds Prey: Weekly Preview 11/26/17-12/2/17

The Nashville Predators will look to continue their hot streak as they head into a week where they play three of their four games at home. 

The Preds are looking to win their 10th game in the last 11 games played, and will enter the week with a 9-1-0 record in the past 10 games played. It won't be an easy task, although it may look like some easy points on paper since most of the teams they play are towards the bottom of their divisions.

Nashville will have a Sunday afternoon game in Carolina to start off the week. It won't be an easy game despite the Hurricanes record and them being out of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference right now. The Predators will need to get pucks on net, and be in position for the second chance opportunities. Nashville will need to play a solid defensive game to contain a pretty balanced Carolina lineup. The Preds will also not want to look past the Hurricanes to the Blackhawks. The Predators will want to win the special teams battle and capitalize on the power play since Carolina has a pretty weak penalty kill. Nashville will also want to know where Teuvo Teravainen and Sebastian Aho are on the ice at all times, and make sure that they don't have much time to create or move the puck.

The Hurricanes will have a tough task in trying to put the flames out on the Preds hot streak. They will need to play a solid defensive game, and help each other out on the ice. Carolina will also need to know where Filip Forsberg and Ryan Johansen are on the ice at all times since they are two of the top three point producers for the Preds. The 'Canes will  need to watch the Predators defensemen since they like to join the play in the offensive zone. The Hurricanes need to be better at even strength since their special team numbers aren't the best in the world. Carolina is going to need to have traffic in front of the net because Pekka Rinne has been solid all season for the Predators in net.

The Blackhawks will visit Nashville on Tuesday night in a Central Division showdown. The Predators will need to get traffic in front of the net since Corey Crawford has been good this year for Chicago. Nashville will need to find a way to slow down the balanced lineup of the Blackhawks since they have four lines that can score. The Preds will look to have a better start to this game since they have been getting off to slow starts and then picking up the play in the second period this year. The Predators will look to get the first goal of the game and keep attacking from there.

Chicago needs to find a way to be consistent, and they should start with having a solid,60 minute road effort against a division opponent. The Blackhawks have really struggled so far this year and are falling behind in the playoff picture. Chicago will need to rely on its goalie to have a good game since they will give up shots and chances. The Blackhawks will need to stay out of the penalty box since the Preds power play is one of the best in the NHL. Chicago will need to have a solid game at even strength and force the Preds into some turnovers with a good forecheck and pressure.

Vancouver will visit Music City on Thursday night and look to leave with two points. Nashville will need to contain Brock Boeser because he has been really good for the Canucks so far this year. The Predators will need to stay out of the penalty box since the Canucks can put the puck in the net with the man advantage. The Preds will need to have the lead entering the third period since they have yet to win a game when trailing after the second. Nashville will want to establish a forecheck game early and keep applying the pressure throughout the game. The Preds also need to be a lot better at finishing games, and be tighter defensively in the final period of games.

The Canucks have been a surprise team through the first quarter of the season, and the main reason has been Boeser, who leads the team in goals, assists and points. Vancouver will need to stay out of the penalty box, and get the first goal of the game to quiet the home crowd. The Canucks will need to get plenty of traffic, shots on net and take advantage of their scoring chances throughout the game. Vancouver will need to have the lead entering the third period since they don't have a regulation win when trailing after two periods of hockey. The Canucks are going to need the goaltending to have a big game for them by making saves. 

The week ends with a visit from the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday night. The Predators will need to get plenty of traffic in front of the net and shoot high. The Preds will need to find a way to contain Rickard Rakell and Corey Perry, who are the two leading scoring on the Ducks. Nashville will need to be better in the third period of this game, and stop the top six forwards of the Ducks since the bottom six hasn't contributed much on the offensive side of the puck this year. The Preds will want to get off to a fast start, and keep the pressure on the Ducks.

Anaheim will need to get the first goal of the game since they are 6-1-2 when doing so, and it may take the raucous crowd out of the game a little bit. The Ducks will need to get the power play going since they have struggled with the man advantage this year, but there are major parts missing like Ryan Getzlaf and Ondrej Kase. Anaheim is going to want to stay out of the penalty box, and watch out for the transition speed of the Preds. The Ducks will need to play a team game on defense and that includes the forwards covering their man and the gap control being manageable. 

Flying Forward: Weekly Preview 11/5/17-11/11/17

The Philadelphia Flyers haven't been very good in their last 10 games played having a record of 4-4-2 in those games.

Philadelphia will be coming off of a much needed four day break in game action. The Flyers have dealt with some injuries all season, but recently to the defense corps and the time off could possibly mean the return of Radio Gudas, who has been out since last Wednesday after suffering an upper body injury. There are other players like Wayne Simmonds who are battling through injuries so the time off couldn't have come at a better time.

The Flyers will look to hand the Blackhawks a loss after being shutout by Corey Crawford last Wednesday. On Saturday, Philadelphia will take on the Minnesota Wild, who have had their own struggles to start the season. The Wild are without Zach Praise in their lineup.

The Flyers need to avoid a slow start especially after having the last four days off from game action. Yes, they have been practicing, but that isn't the same as playing in a game. The Flyers need to have their skating legs early in this one and establish a tone to the game, which could be a physical one or a hardworking one. The Orange and Black need to be sure to get plenty of traffic in front of the opposition net especially if Crawford is the starter. The more traffic, the better chance for a second chance goal from a deflection or rebound. The Flyers need to find a way to keep Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews off the board since they may be on the same line. The Flyers need to avoid the turnovers and get in on the forecheck to spend some time in the offensive zone.

The Blackhawks need to make sure that they get off to a fast start since they are outscoring opponents 15-9 this season in the opening period of games. They need to take advantage of the fact that the Flyers have been off for four days, and establish some attack time in the offensive zone early in the game. It should be interesting to see how the new look lines of Chicago manage with chemistry, is it instant or will it take a period  or to two to start clicking? The Blackhawks need to play a full, 60 minute game and not just decide to take the middle period off because that has been part of the problem so far this year. Chicago may want to stay out of the penalty box since the Flyers have a good power play, and Shayne Gostisbehere will be back in the lineup for Philadelphia. He missed the game last week due to injury. If there is a chance to shoot the puck then Chicago needs to get the shot off since goalies for the Orange and Black haven't been good this year.

On Saturday night, the Flyers will face the Wild at the Wells Fargo Center. Philadelphia will need to take advantage when they are on the power play since the Wild are only killing penalties at a 75% rate on the road. The Orange and Black need to keep an eye on defenseman Jared Spurgeon since he will contribute on the offensive side of the puck, and already has 10 points on the year. The Flyers will need to play a solid defensive game and limit the chances of the Wild. Philly needs to get off to a better start in this one since they have been outscored 13-9 in the first period of games.

The Wild are going to need to find a way to contain the Flyers top line of Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier and Jakub Voracek since they have a combined 53 points through the first 15 games of the season. Minnesota will also need to be aware of when Shayne Gostisbehere has the puck because he will try for the stretch pass out of the zone or even skate the puck out of the defensive zone. The Wild are going to need to play a disciplined game since the road penalty kill hasn't exactly been stellar this season, while the Flyers power play can put the puck in the net. Minnesota will need to have quick puck movement to get the puck through to the goalie since the Flyers like to block shots (237). The Wild need to be prepared for a physical game at times since Philadelphia doesn't shy away from throwing hits.

Leafs Notes: Weekly Preview 10/8/17-10/14/17

The Toronto Maple Leafs will starts its week at home and end it on the road. 

The Leafs will face the Chicago Blackhawks, New Jersey Devils and the Montreal Canadiens.  The Leafs and Blackhawks will be an interesting matchup since they have each scored 15 goals in two games to start the season. 

The Maple Leafs need to play a solid defensive game or it could be along game for this team. They have the ability to put the puck in the net, but so do the Blackhawks. Toronto will want to get shots on goals and test Anton Forsberg early because this will be his first game action of the year. Toronto needs to get the first goal and be smart with the puck, avoiding those pesky turnovers. The Maple Leafs are going to have to keep an eye on Brandon Saad, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith since they all have decent career numbers against Toronto. 

The Blackhawks are of to a good start especially offensively, but they haven't given up much defensively either. The Hawks are going to want to pressure the defense of the Leafs especially the third pairing if the two rookies, Andreas Borgman and Calle Rosen, start the game. Connor Carrick is a game-time decision for the Leafs after suffering  an injury last game. Chicago is going to have to watch out for the speed of the Maple Leafs, who create a lot off the use of its speed. The Blackhawks are going to have to capitalize on the mistakes that the Leafs are going to make. 

On Wednesday night, the Devils make the trip to Air Canada Centre. The Leafs are going to need to stop the speed of the Devils and keep an eye on the defense since they aren't afraid to join the offensive play. Toronto needs to get the first goal to keep the crowd in the game and keep the top six of the Devils off the board. They'll need to play a smart game and keep the turnovers to a minimum because the Devils can and will make a team pay for turnovers. 

New Jersey needs to attack the Leafs and make it hard for them to get through the neutral zone with speed. The Devils need to play a sound, defensive road game because Toronto has no problem a fast-paced back-and-forth pond hockey type game. New Jersey needs to elevate the puck and get rebounds chances since both Frederik Andersen and Curtis McElhinney have good career numbers against them. If the Devils can get the first goal then they'll need to keep attacking and not sit back for the rest of the game. 

The Maple Leafs end their week with a divisional match against the Habs in Montreal. The Maple Leafs need to get off to a fast start that includes a decent forecheck and cycle game. Toronto needs to make sure that they have the lead after the first period, and if they do, don't take their feet off the gas. The Leafs need to get pucks on net whenever they have the chance and get traffic in front of the opposing goalie. Toronto is going to need to keep an eye on Tomas Plekanec since he has had a ton of success in his career against the them (69 gp,16 g, 27a, 43 its).

The Habs need to find a way to score some goals, which is not something new they are facing. They also had a lack of offense last year, but Carey Price bailed them out most games. Montreal needs to get the power play going, and start throwing pucks on net. The Habs are dangerous on the penalty kill as they already have two shorthanded goals for this year compared to their one goal at even strength. They need to get the first goal and build off of its momentum and the home crowd.