Flying Forward: Weekly Preview 10/15/17-10/21/17

The Philadelphia Flyers are looking to take advantage of playing in front of the home crowd this week.

The Flyers will have a tough week ahead as they take on the Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators and Edmonton Oilers. The Panthers have struggled on the road, the Predators will likely be without Nick Bonino and the Oilers are just struggling to start the season off. It may not look like it's going to be a tough week, but it could be if the Flyers don't get decent goaltending and play defense.

On Tuesday night, the Flyers take on Jonathan Huberdeau and the Panthers. Philly has to get the first goal of the game since they have won all three games in which they have done so. The Orange and Black will need to use the crowd to get off to a fast start and establish the forecheck and cycle game early so they can spend some time in the offensive zone. The Flyers need to bring its balanced attack that they have and roll out all four of its line. It would be nice if Philly could get its third line of Dale Weise, Nolan Patrick and Travis Konecny going with some attack time and chances in the offensive zone. The Flyers need to keep an eye on the top six forwards of the Panthers especially Jonathan Huberdeau and Evgeni Dadonov since those two lead the team in points.

Florida will need to win the special teams battle, and take advantage of a somewhat weak penalty kill by the Flyers. The Panthers should establish the forecheck game early so they can spend time in the offensive zone to minimize chances by Philadelphia. Florida will need a solid 60 minute road effort to beat the Flyers since they seem to get better as the game goes on. The Panthers need to bring their skating legs and keep short shifts especially in the third period since that it is the Flyers best period. Florida needs to find a way to stop the top line of Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier and Jake Voracek because the managed to rack up 10 points in an 8-2 win over the Capitals on Saturday night.

On Thursday night, the Flyers will have a rematch against the Nashville Predators, who they lost 6-5 to last week in the final three minutes of the game. The Orange and Black need to use its speed to attack the Predators and force turnovers. The Flyers need to get the first goal, not sit back and then start taking penalties. The will have to watch out for the speed of the Predators in transition especially Filip Forsberg. Philly will need be disciplined and stay out of the penalty box since the can really score with the man advantage.

The Predators need to be careful since this is a revenge game for Philadelphia. Nashville is going to need to stay out of the penalty box since Philly's power play can put the puck in the net. The Preds will need to figure out a way to stop the balanced attack of the Flyers. If Nashville learned anything in its 6-5 win against Philly last week, it should have been to get the puck on net because Brian Elliott and Michal Neuvirth can be shaky at times during a game. The Predators need to watch out for the defense of the Flyers joining the play in the offensive zone.

The Flyers end the week with a visit from the struggling Edmonton Oilers and Connor McDavid. Philly need to keep the top six of the Oilers off the board. They'll need to get pucks on net with traffic for deflections. The Oilers penalty kill hasn't been great so far this year so the Flyers need to take advantage when they are up a man. Philadelphia needs to skate, keep its feet moving, draw penalties and have speed going through the neutral zone to keep the defensemen of the Oilers honest.

Edmonton will need to win the special teams battle since the Flyers penalty kill isn't the best in the NHL. The Oilers need to get the first goal of the game. Edmonton needs to have better starts to games since they have been outscored 6-2 in the first period. The Oilers will need to play a full 60 minutes and limits its mistakes. Edmonton are going to need to keep an eye on the speed of Philadelphia especially through the neutral zone.

Preds Prey: Weekly Preview 10/15/17-10/21/17

The Nashville Predators are dealing with some key loses to it lineup. The Predators already knew they would be without defenseman Ryan Ellis until January, but now they could be without center Nick Bonino for an extended period of time.

The Preds start off its week by hosting  Central Division opponent, the Colorado Avalanche. On Thursday night, the will travel to Philadelphia to face the Flyers. Nashville ends its week on Saturday in New York to face the struggling Rangers.

Nashville recalled forward Frederick Gaudreau from the AHL. He is likely to take the roster spot of injured center Nick Bonino. The Predators need to make sure that they are solid in all phases of the game, but especially even strength play since they have more power play goals than even strength goals entering tonight's contest with the Avs. Nashville needs to pressure defenseman Anton Lindholm, if he draws into the lineup for injured Patrik Nemeth, since he has only played in two games so far. If Semyon Varlamov is in net for the Avalanche tonight then the Preds need to make sure that they elevate the puck to get deflections out in front of the net. The Avs have yet to win a game when trailing after two periods so the Predators may want to have the lead heading into the third period.

Colorado needs to get the first goal of the game since they are 4-0-0 when doing so. If Pekka Rinne starts then the Avs need to get the puck elevated and get him moving laterally. The Avalanche special teams are going to need to be better than they have to start the season. Colorado is going to need to establish the forecheck and play a physical game. The Avalanche will need to keep an eye on Filip Forsberg and Scott Hartnell.

The Predators need to be careful since this is a revenge game for Philadelphia. Nashville is going to need to stay out of the penalty box since Philly's power play can put the puck in the net. The Preds will need to figure out a way to stop the balanced attack of the Flyers. If Nashville learned anything in its 6-5 win against Philly last week, it should have been to get the puck on net because Brian Elliott and Michal Neuvirth can be shaky at times during a game. The Predators need to watch out for the defense of the Flyers joining the play in the offensive zone.

On Thursday night, the Flyers will have a rematch against the Predators, who they lost 6-5 to last week in the final three minutes of the game. The Orange and Black need to use its speed to attack the Predators and force turnovers. The Flyers need to get the first goal, not sit back and then start taking penalties. The will have to watch out for the speed of the Predators in transition especially Filip Forsberg. Philly will need be disciplined and stay out of the penalty box since the can really score with the man advantage.

The Predators end its week facing the struggling New York Rangers, who went 1-5-0 to start the season. Nashville will need to take advantage of it power play opportunities, and have good energy from the start of the game. The Preds will need a good forecheck and offensive zone time. They will also need to keep attacking since the Rangers have given up eight third period goals. The Predators are going to need to keep an eye on Mika Zibanejad, who may have new linemates for tonight's game, since he leads the team with five goals.

The Rangers just need to have a better effort all around, but especially at even strength. New York needs to be better defensively and that starts with every player on the ice being responsible with and without the puck including the goaltender. The goalies for the Rangers need to start making some saves, and the bottom six need to start producing more. The Blue Shirts need to get off to a fast start including the first goal, and keep attacking. The Rangers need to play a complete 60 minute game especially since they have struggled in front of the home crowd in the early going.

Leafs Notes: Weekly Preview 10/15/17-10/21/17

The Toronto Maple Leafs are off to a good start this season, but it hasn't come without some not-so-great defensive play.

They will need to be sharp in their own end and smart with the puck as they take on the Washington Capitals, Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators this week.

The Maple Leafs will take on the Capitals in a rematch from last year's first round of the playoffs. The Leafs will need to use their speed and attack the Capitals defense to cause turnovers. Toronto needs to get the first goal, hold the lead and don't let the Caps back in the game. The Maple Leafs need to be a tight team defensively because if they aren't then the Capitals offense can explode for some goals. The goalie is going to need to make some key saves because there will be chances from guys like Alex Ovechkin, T.J. Oshie and Evgeny Kutznetsov. The Leafs are going to need to stop the Caps top six and make the bottom six beat them.

The Capitals will need to get the first goal and keep attacking. They will somehow need to contain the speed of Toronto. The Caps need to attack the defense of the Leafs and force some turnovers to create scoring chances. Washington will need to be aware of where Auston Matthews and William Nylander are on the ice. They are going to need to limit their mistakes and be smart with the puck.

The Leafs return home on Wednesday night to take on Atlantic Division rival, the  Detroit Red Wings. Toronto is going to need to contain Dylan Larkin since he has the speed to get behind the defense of the Leafs. The Maple Leafs need to be aware of the Red Wings defense because they can join the play in the offensive zone, and they do a good job of keeping the puck in the zone if you try to clear up the wall. The Leafs just need to get a ton of shots on goal. Toronto needs to get off to a fast start since Detroit tends to get better as the game goes on.

The Red Wings need to spend some time in the offensive zone to try to get some goals since they have gotten off to some slow starts this year. Detroit needs to be better at even strength and keeping the goals against down a little bit. The Red Wings will need to contain the Leafs speed and one way to do that is to spend a bulk of the game in the offensive zone. Detroit needs to be better on face-offs and win some of them because winning a face-off could mean more puck possession. The Red Wings are also going to need to be aware of Auston Matthews since he has scored some goals against them in his young career.

The Leafs go back on the road to finish out its week and take on the Ottawa Senators. The Leafs will need to be aware Erik Karlsson joining the rush in the offensive zone. Toronto needs to get plenty of traffic in front of the net. The Maple Leafs need to be patient and not force a shot since the Sens have no problem blocking shots. The Leafs need to bring its balanced attack, and to keep getting shots on goal even if they aren't going in.

The Senators need to eliminate the turnovers especially in their own end and through the neutral zone to contain the speed of the Leafs. Ottawa needs to bring a balanced attack and not just have the top six producing points. The Senators just need to play their game and not worry about what the Leafs are doing. Ottawa has a good penalty kill but they may want to stay out of the box because the power play of the Leafs isn't too shabby.

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. 

3 Keys: Avalanche @ Predators

 

The Nashville Predators will face another Central Division opponent tonight in the Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche are off to a surprising start, while the Predators have some work to do with all the injuries they've faced this season.

 

Here are three keys to tonight's game:

 

1.) BONINO INJURY- PREDATORS

 

The Predators called up Frederick Gaudreau from the AHL to take Nick Bonino's roster spot. The center depth will be challenged once again as it was last June for the Preds. They will need players to step up like Kevin Fiala and Calle Jarnkrok, who will each see new line mates tonight. Nashville will need to get some scoring help from the blue line and they will also need to be a little better defensively. The Predators need to get the puck out of the zone when they can and not have too many failed clears since they are missing a decent faceoff man in Bonino.

 

2.) SPECIAL TEAMS- AVALANCHE

 

The Avalanche are going to need to win the battle of the special teams tonight. They need to capitalize on their power play opportunities with some nice puck and player movement. The Avs also need to get some traffic in front of the net for deflections and to take the goalie's eyes off the puck. Colorado will also need to stay out of the penalty box since the Preds power play can be dangerous at time. If they take penalties then they are going to need to win the board battles and get the puck out on its first clearing attempt. If they fail to clear the puck, then the Predators will likely find a way to make them pay since they have some guys that can find the back of the net.

 

3.) FORSBERG VS. YAKUPOV- PREDATORS/AVALANCHE

 

Nail Yakupov seems to have found a new gear with top six playing time and new line mates with the Avalanche. Yakupov has three goals through six games, is finishing his chances, and is playing with speed. The Predators are going to need to find a way to slow down his line tonight. Filip Forsberg is off to a good start through five games for the Predators. He has five goals, two assists and seven points on the young season. The Avs are going to need to keep an eye on him on the power play since he can snipe the puck.

 

Lightning Strikes: Weekly Preview 10/15/17-10/21/17

The Tampa Bay Lightning look to continue their winning ways this week as they face Eastern Conference opponents.

On Monday night, the Bolts visit the Detroit Red Wings for an Atlantic Division matchup. The Bolts then visit the Prudential Center to take on the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night. On Thursday night, they'll visit the Columbus Blue Jackets, and then finish up their week on Saturday night when they take on the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

The Bolts need to get off to a fast start because the Red Wings seem to get stronger as the game goes on. The Lightning will need to get traffic in front of the net especially if Jimmy Howard is in net because he has been so good. Tampa Bay needs to bring its balanced attack and not just have one or two lines doing all the scoring. The Bolts will need to keep an eye on Martin Frk, who has three goals this year and has some speed. Tampa Bay will also need to stay out of the penalty box and play a disciplined game since the Red Wings have a decent power play. 

The Red Wings need to get the first goal of the game since the Lightning have a decent record when scoring first. Detroit needs to keep playing its game even if they get down early because they seem to get better as the game goes on. The Red Wings are going to have to win the special teams battle since they aren't exactly the best team at even strength. Detroit needs to be better at even strength since nine of the 12 goals against them this year have come at 5-on-5. The Red Wings will also need to elevate the puck if Andrei Vasilevskiy is in net since he covers the bottom part of the net pretty well.

The Lightning need to be smart with and without the puck when they face the Devils on Tuesday night. The Devils have more takeaways than giveaway so far on the season. The Bolts will need to get traffic and deflections in front of the goaltender. The Bolts will need to keep an eye on the rookies, Will Butcher and Jesper Bratt, since they both have contributed during the early going. Tampa Bay needs to cash in on its power play opportunities, but they also need to be careful with the puck since the Devils have scored three shorthanded goals this year.

The Devils need to have better special team play especially on the penalty kill. They will need to stay out of the penalty box because they haven't been great killing penalties and the  Lightning have a great power play. New Jersey will need to keep an eye on the defense of the Bolts since they can and will going the play in the offensive zone. The Devils need to keep an eye on Steven Stamkos, Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov since they've been going good to start the season.

Tampa Bay will take on the Columbus Blue Jackets and they will need to get some traffic and deflections because if Sergei Bobrovsky can see a puck then he is likely going to stop it. The Bolts need to score first since, and not sit back but keep attacking once they get the lead. The Lightning need all four lines to contribute if they want to steal a win from the Blue Jackets. Tampa Bay will need to keep an eye on defensemen Zach Werenski and Seth Jones since they aren't afraid to join the play or shoot the puck from the point. They will also need to keep Sonny Milano and Artemi Panarin in-check.

The Blue Jackets will need to score first and keep the home crowd in the game. They will also need to be good defensively since the Lightning can attack with speed and be creative with the puck. The Blue Jackets do have good home special team numbers, but not good overall special teams numbers, so that is something that they can work on in this game. Columbus  need to stop the balanced attack of the Bolts and one way to do that is to spend a ton of time in the offensive zone.

The Bolts end their week against the defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tampa Bay need to get off to a fast start and establish the forecheck early in the game. The Bolts will need to make smart decisions with and without the puck. The Lightning will need to make the bottom six forwards of the Penguins beat them and do their best to keep the top six off the score sheet. 

The Penguins need to get the first goal of the game, and have a good forecheck game early. They will need to get better goaltending especially from Antti Niemi, who has really struggled in his two games. The Pens should pressure the puck carrier to force some turnovers and use its speed in transition. Pittsburgh will also need to find a way to slow down the balanced attack of the Lightning, and that means spend a ton of time in the offensive zone peppering Vasilveskiy or Budaj with shots. 

3 Keys: Bolts @ Red Wings

The Tampa Bay Lightning will take on Atlantic Division rival, Detroit Red Wings on Monday night at 7:30 p.m.

Here are three keys to the game:

1.) Fast Start- Lightning

The Bolts will look to get off to a fast start since the Red Wings tend to get better as the game goes on. Tampa Bay needs to get in on the forecheck and establish a good cycle game to get some sustained offensive pressure and keep the Red Wings hemmed in their own zone. The Lightning look to get the first goal of the game, and use that momentum to build its lead. Tampa Bay needs to bring their skating legs to keep up with the younger kids of the Red Wings. The Bolts also need to be ready to work on the offensive and defensive side of the puck to establish a tone early in the game.

2.) Even Strength Play- Red Wings

The Red Wings need to be better at even strength since they have given up nine  of 12 goals against at 5-on-5. Detroit can be better at even strength by having a better forecheck and winning battles along the board to have sustained offensive pressure. The Red Wings need to be aware of where the Lightning are on the ice including the defensemen. Detroit needs to be in better defensive position when playing at even strength. 

3.) Brayden Point vs. Martin Frk- Lightning/Red Wings

Brayden Point has had a good start to the season for the Lightning while Martin Frk has been able to put the puck in the net for the Red Wings. Point has three goals, five assists and eight points in five games. Frk has three goals, one assists and four points in five games played. Point and Frk each bring speed to their respective team's lineup so they will need to be watched closely. The forwards use their speed to create and aren't afraid to get to the net to score some goals.