Sabres Slashes: Weekly Preview 12/31/17-1/6/18

The Buffalo Sabres will look to gain some valuable points in the standings this week as they take on some tough teams.

On Monday, they will play the New York Rangers in the annual NHL Winter Classic outdoor game. They will then face the Minnesota Wild and Winnipeg Jets on back-to-back nights to end their week.

The Sabres need to find a way to slow down Mats Zuccarello and Mika Zibanejad since they are the two top point getters on the Rangers. Buffalo will want to limit their mistakes and not turn over the puck especially through the neutral zone and while breaking out of their own zone. The Sabres should make sure that they have plenty of traffic in front of the net to make it difficult for the goaltender to see the puck. Buffalo wants to make sure that they are better at even strength hockey, and they can do that by getting a good forecheck game established early and by making the smart play instead of just making a play to make a play. The Sabres need to play with discipline even though the Rangers power play is only in the middle of the pack in the NHL. If Buffalo takes too many penalties then it could come back and haunt them during the game.

The Rangers need to get off to a better start in this game since they've been outscored 33-30 in first periods of games. New York should be aware of when Jack Michael and Kyle Okposo are on the ice since they both can produce and put the puck in the net. The Rags want to get the first goal of the game and keep building on the momentum of that first goal. New York has a mediocre power play, but that doesn't mean that they shouldn't take advantage of the power play opportunities when they are there. The Rangers need to not play down to their opponent, get plenty of pucks towards the opposition's net and limit the mistakes when playing at even strength.

Buffalo will travel to Minnesota to take on the Wild on Thursday night. The Sabres will need to make sure that they are aware of where and when Jason Zucker and Eric Staal are on the ice since they are the leading scorers for the Wild. Buffalo wants to get the first goal of the game and take the home crowd out of the game. The Sabres are going to need to play a good defense oriented game since the Wild are pretty good on home ice. Buffalo needs to win the battle at even strength since the Wild have a really good penalty kill. The Sabres need to get some good goaltending in this game and saves need to be made.

The Wild want to make sure that they have the lead entering the final period of the game since they only have one come from behind win. Minnesota should attack and force turnovers since the Sabres are a team that will cough the puck up. The Wild need to make sure that they are competing and not just expecting to win the game because they are playing one of the worst teams in the NHL. Minnesota definitely will want to be better in the third period since they have been outscore 54-45 in the final periods of games so far this year.

The Sabres will finish out their week by visiting the Winnipeg Jets. Buffalo will need to get the power play going since they have been horrific on the power play so far this year. The Sabres want to get the first goal of the game and keep attacking, don't sit back. Buffalo will want to play a solid road game by limiting their mistakes, getting good goaltending, forcing turnovers and staying focused throughout the game. The Sabres will want to get off to a good start and establish the tone very early in this game. Buffalo needs to keep an eye on Blake Wheeler and Patrik Laine since both players can get on the board.

The Jets are going to want to make sure that they have the lead entering the final period of the game since they have one come from behind win when trailing after two periods. Winnipeg will need to be good while playing at even strength and not let the Sabres take it to them. The Jets will need to use their speed to get through the neutral zone and make the Sabres defenders back into the own zone and not let them stand up at the blue line. Winnipeg needs to get off to a good start and keep the home crowd in the game. The Jets will need to be aware of Jack Eichel and Evander Kane when they are on the ice because they have been two of the bright spots on the Sabres this year.

Preds Prey: Weekly Preview 12/24/17-12/30/17

The Nashville Predators will look to put some distance between themselves and the competition this week since all three of their games are against Central Division opponents.

The Predators will take on the St. Louis Blues tonight with just one point separating the two teams for the top spot in the Central. On Friday and Saturday, the Preds will play a home-and-home series with the Minnesota Wild. The teams will be in Minnesota on Friday night and Nashville on Saturday night. There should be some good hockey played between the divisional rivals.

The Preds will need to keep an eye on Brayden Schenn, who leads the Blues in goals, assists and points this season. Nashville will need to get good goaltending from whichever goalie starts tonight's game. The Predators need to be very good while at even strength since the Blues have scored 73 even strength goals on the season to Nashville's 64. The Preds should try to have the lead entering the third period since they have only forced overtime twice in the nine times they have been trailing after the second period this year. Nashville needs to get off to a good start and play a solid 60 minute defensive road game.

The Blues will need to get their power play going since it is ranked 24th and a clear weakness on this team. St. Louis needs to be aware of where the Preds defensemen are on the ice since they like to join the play in the offensive zone or make the long stretch pass to start a breakout of their own zone. The Blues should also keep an eye on Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson because both players have speed and can finish a play. St. Louis will need to get some stellar goaltending tonight since the Preds know how to put the puck in the opposition's net. The Blues will need to get the first goal of the game and come out playing with some energy.

On Friday night, the Predators will play the first of a home-and-home series with the Minnesota Wild. The Preds will need to use their speed in transition to get behind the Wild defensemen. Nashville will need to have their skating legs so they can draw penalties. The Predators need to get shots on goal and have someone in front of the net for second chance opportunities. Nashville need to have a better finish to games since that has been the one area where they have really struggled this year. They have been outscored 41-31in the final period of games, and that needs to change. The Preds will also need to find a way to contain Jason Zucker and Eric Staal, who lead the team in points and goals.

The Wild will need to play really well at even strength since they have given up more goals at even strength than they've scored this year. Minnesota need to keep an eye on Kevin Fiala and Kyle Turris, who have played well together since the trade to acquire Turris. The Wild should try to get pucks on net and bury the chances that they get throughout the game. Minnesota will need to get plenty of traffic in front of the net, and get good goaltending of their own for this game.

On Saturday night, the venue changes but the opponents are the same as the Wild visit the Preds. Nashville needs to take advantage of a weak road penalty kill of the Wild and put some pucks in the net when on the man advantage. The Preds need to be good on the forecheck and force some turnovers. The Predators will need to have good energy from the start of the game to the end of the game since this will be the back end of a back-to-back series with the Wild. Nasvhille needs to have good goaltending again, and play with discipline, which may be hard to do since they are the most penalized team in the League.

The Wild need to stay out of the penalty box since the Preds have a solid power play. Minnesota needs to get the first goal of the game to take the home crowd out of the game a little. The Wild should try to have the lead entering the final frame since they only have one regulation win and an overtime loss when trailing after two periods. Minnesota needs another good game from its goaltender, whether it is Devan Dubnyk or Alex Stalock. The Wild need to have a good start to the first half of the first period.

Leafs Notes: Weekly Preview 12/10/17-12/16/17

The Toronto Maple Leafs look to keep pace with the Tampa Bay Lightning for first place in the Atlantic Division.

The Leafs start their week off by facing Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers. Toronto then travels to Philly on Tuesday night to face a well rested Flyers team. The Leafs then travel to Minnesota to face the Wild on Thursday night. Toronto will end their week with a game against the Red Wings in Detroit.

The Leafs will need to stop Connor McDavid as they face the Oilers tonight at home. It seems if you slow down or stop him in a game then the Oilers offense gets stopped. The Maple Leafs will need to watch the Oilers defensemen since they can put up some points especially Darnell Nurse and Kris Russell. Toronto will need to take advantage of one of the worst penalty kills in the League by scoring some goals while on the man advantage. The Leafs will need to get a good game from backup goalie, Curtis McElhinney since he hasn't seen much action this year. The Maple Leafs will need to get the first goal of the game and have a solid defensive effort with no Auston Matthews and the backup goalie in tonight.

The Oilers will need to get the first goal of the game and keep attacking. Edmonton will need to play team defense and get a forecheck game established early. The Oilers will need to avoid the penalty box since the Leafs have a very good power play that can be dangerous. Edmonton will want to have the lead entering the final period since they haven't lost a game when leading after two periods this year. The Oilers will need to get a good game from the backup goaltender and he will need to make some key saves since the Leafs can get pucks to the net.

Toronto needs to find a way to stop the recently red hot Michael Raffl, who has scored five goals in his last eight games after scoring zero in his previous 42. The Leafs will need to get some good goaltending the Flyers can also get some pucks on net. The Maple Leafs will need to have a solid, road effort and get scoring from the depth lines. Toronto will need to stay out of the penalty box since the Flyers have a good power play. They will also need to watch the Philly defense since they like to join the play in the offensive zone, and will pinch to keep a play alive.

The Flyers will need to keep the balanced scoring going that they have had the past three games. Philadelphia will ned to get the first goal of the game and build off of it. The Orange and Black will need to keep attacking and establish a good forecheck game early in the game to make the Leafs defend. The Flyers will need to limit their mistakes especially in the neutral zone since the Leafs have some good transition speed. Philly will need to keep James van Riemsdyk and Mitch Marner in check.

The Leafs will need to get plenty of traffic in front of the Wild goalies because if they can see it then they will likely stop it. Toronto will need to establish a good forecheck early in the game. The Maple Leafs will need to get the first goal of the game and take the home crowd out of the game. The Leafs will need to stay out of the penalty box and find a way to stop Jason Zucker and Eric Staal.

The Wild need to get some sustained offensive pressure to stop the balanced attack of the Leafs. Minnesota will need to play solid defensive game, and have the forwards make sure that the gap isn't too big. The Wild need to get plenty of traffic in front of the net, and get the first goal of the game. Minnesota will need to be better in the first period of the game since they have been outscored by a goal in first periods of games. The Wild are going to need to find a way to stop Patrick Marleau and William Nylander.

The Maple Leafs finish off their week with a divisional game against the Detroit Red Wings. The Leafs will need to play a solid road game and limit their mistakes with the puck. Toronto will need to find a way to keep Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha off the board since they are the two leading scorers on the team. The Leafs will need to get traffic in front of the net and get pucks on net. The Leafs needs to stay out of the penalty box, and keep playing the way they've been play all season at even strength.

The Red Wings will need to play better while at even strength since they have been outscored 66-51 so far. They will need to play a discipline game, and stay out of the penalty box. Detroit will need to watch the transition game of the Leafs since they have plenty of speed. The Red Wings will need to limit their mistakes and play a solid defensive game.

3 Things to Watch For: Predators @ Wild- 11/16/17

The Nashville Predators will look to stay hot as they travel to Minnesota to take on the Wild in a Central Division matchup.

Here are three things to watch for in the game:

1.) ROAD POWER PLAY GOING- PREDATORS

The Nashville Predators have struggled to score on the man advantage on the road, and it won't be easy to do tonight since the Wild are fifth in the League at killing penalties. The Preds will need to gain the zone with speed and then get set up from there. Nashville will need to have quick player and puck movement since the Wild like to get in shooting lanes and block shots. The Predators will also need to make sure that they outnumber the Wild in board battles along the wall. Nashville will also need to get a bunch of traffic in front of goalie Devin Dubnyk, who has been a brick wall the past three games, to get deflections and second chance opportunities.

2.) DEVAN DUBNYK- WILD

The Preds will need to find a way to solve Devan Dubnky, who has been stopping everything thrown his way the past three games. He hasn't allowed a goal since the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on November 8, where he allowed three goals against. Dubnyk has been known to get on hot streaks and carry his team to some wins. The goalie has stopped the last 103 shots that he has faced including 41 on November 9 against the Montreal Canadiens. The Predators will need to get plenty of traffic, shots and deflections on net because that seems like the only way they will have a chance at beating the goalie.

3) FILIP FORSBERG VS. JASON ZUCKER- PREDATORS & WILD

Minnesota will need to find a way to keep Filip Forsberg off the score sheet since he is the leading goal scorer and point producer for the Preds. Forsberg has one goal, three assists and four points in his last five games played. The Wild will need to be aware of his speed, and not let him get behind the defense for a breakaway. Nashville will need to find a way to stop the red hot Jason Zucker. Zucker is also the leading goal scorer and point producer for the Wild. He has seven goals, one assist and eight points in his last five games. It is safe to say that the Predators need to know where Zucker is on the ice at all times since he has the hot stick right now.

Preds Prey: Weekly Preview 11/12/17-11/18/147

The Nashville Predators are going to need to find a way to overcome some injury news. The team tweeted that they would be without defenseman Yannick Weber for the next 2-4 weeks, while forward Scott Hartnell will miss the next 3-5 weeks.

The Preds will start off the week by facing the Capitals at home and the game will be televised on NBCSN with the puck dropping around 8 p.m. Eastern Time. Nashville will then take on two divisional opppents in the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche. The Predators have been hot lately, but it still won't be an easy week.



The Predators need to get the first goal of the game against the Capitals and keep the home crowd in the game. Nashville could possibly have Nick Bonino back in the lineup tonight since he is off of injured reserve. The Preds will need to stop the duo of Evgeny Kuznetsov and Alex Ovechkin since they are the two leading scorers on the team. The Predators will need to stay out of the penalty box since the Caps have a dangerous power play. Nashville will need to get off to a solid start and have plenty of offensive zone time to keep Ovechkin playing defense and not offense. Nashville is going to have to be really good at even strength play.

The Capitals are going to need to get the first goal of the game to try to quiet the raucous home crowd of the Predators. Washington will need to stop the red hot Filip Forsberg and P.K. Subban since they are point generators for Nashville. The Caps will need to get plenty of traffic in front of the net because if Pekka Rinne can see it then he's likely stopping the puck. The Capitals will need to take advantage of a weak penalty kill of the Preds. Washington will need to set the tone early with some hits and goals.

The Preds are going to need to play a solid, defensive road game to have a shot at beating the Wild on Thursday night. The Predators will need to be aware of Jason Zucker and Jared Spurgeon when they are on the ice since they both haven't had a problem producing of late. Nashville will need to make good use of the stretch pass since the Wild like to clog up the neutral zone. The Preds will need to set the tone early in the game with either a goal, a big hit or establish some chances with a good forecheck and speed. Nashville will need to get the first goal of the game to take the home crowd out of it.

The Wild are going to need to find a way to contain the speed of the Predators. Minnesota will need to find a way to find Viktor Arvidsson and Roman Josi, who can both move the puck and have speed. The Wild are going to need to have a solid defensive game and limit their mistakes with and without the puck. The goalie will need to come up big for the Wild, and make some timely saves. Minnesota will need to take care of the puck because the Preds have a good transition game.

Nashville ends their week at home against another division foe in the Colorado Avalanche. The Preds will need to get pucks on net with plenty of traffic. Nashville will need to stop Alex Kerfoot, who is the leading goal scorer on the Avs along with Tyson Barrie, a defenseman who can really move the puck up the ice. The Predators will need to watch out the Colorado defensive corps since they can really move the puck up ice. Nashville is going to need to take advantage a weak penalty kill of the Avalanche. The Preds need to play a disciplined game and stay out of the penalty box since Colorado has a decent power play.

The Avs will need to get the first goal of the game and take the crowd out of the game. Colorado will need to make sure that it has a lead entering the third period since they don't have a come-from-behind regulation win when trailing in the third period. The Avalanche will need to get its road power play going since they will be up against a team that has a weak home penalty kill. The Ads will need to play a solid, 60 minute road game and eliminate the mistakes. Colorado will need to pay attention to the speed of the Preds and to the defensemen since they like to join the play in the offensive zone.