3 Keys: Panthers @ Sabres- 11/10/17

The Buffalo Sabres look to continue their winning ways after coming off of a 3-1 win over the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night. The Panthers will be looking to end their five game losing streak.

Here are three keys to the Atlantic Division game on Friday night:

1.) KEEP TOP 6 OF PANTHERS IN-CHECK- SABRES

The Sabres will need to keep the top two lines of the Panthers in-check since they seem to be the guys producing on the team. They will need to play good defense and play in the offensive zone when the top six are on the ice. Buffalo should try to establish a good forecheck and cycle game early so they can spend some time in the offensive zone. The Sabres need to be physical, but also play smart and avoid turnovers because the top six will make you pay, if the puck is turned over.

2.) FAST START- PANTHERS

The Panthers and the Sabres will both be coming off of two days off, and the Panthers need to get off to a fast start. They need to get the first goal of the game, and get some pucks on net since the Sabres goalies haven't been stellar this year. Florida will need to set the tone of the game early, whether it be with their speed, or with physicality. The Panthers need to get in on the forecheck and establish a good cycle game to spend some time in the offensive zone.

3.) TOP LINE VS. TOP LINE- SABRES & PANTHERS

The Sabres and Panthers have top lines that can do some damage when they are on the ice. Buffalo's first line of Evander Kane, Jack Eichel and Jason Pominville have been dominate since they've been put together. They have been one of the few bright spots through the the first 15 games of the year for the Sabres team. The Panthers first line of Jonathan Huberdeau, Sasha Barkov and Evgenii Dadonov have also been lightning the lamp and producing through the first 14 games of the year. The Sabres will have to do a good job defensively against this line or it could be another long night.

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.

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.

Lightning Strikes: Weekly Preview 11/5/17-11/11/17

The Tampa Bay Lightning look to continue their hot start to the season. It won't be an easy task this week as they take on the San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings.

They will face the Sharks on Wednesday night and then the Kings on Thursday night. The Sharks are third in the Pacific Division, while the Kings are first in the Pacific Division. The Lightning could very well come out of this back-to-back situation with anywhere from zero points to four points.

The Bolts need to get off to a good start on Wednesday night to get the first goal of the game since the Sharks are only 2-3-0 when the opposition scores first. Tampa Bay needs to have a balanced lineup with everyone contributing like it has all season. If the Lightning should get down then they need to keep fighting since they haven't had any problems scoring goals. If the Bolts get the lead, then they need to be aggressive, and not sit back since they have blown some multiple goal leads this year. Tampa Bay needs to find a way to stop Logan Couture and know where defenseman Brent Burns is when he is on the ice, since Burns can act like a fourth forward when he is on the ice.

The Sharks will need to get the first goal since they are 6-2-0 when getting the first goal of the game, and only 2-3-0 when the opposition gets the first goal of the game. San Jose needs to get the defense involved in the offense. The Sharks have good special teams and will need to continue that trend, and maybe even avoid the penalty box all together. San Jose will need to get traffic in front of net to get deflections and take the goalies eyes off the puck. Good luck to the Sharks in trying to stop Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos because they will need it.

Tampa Bay will face the LA Kings on Friday night, and it won't be an easy game especially with the start that the Kings are off to. The Bolts will need to get the first goal of the game, and be sure to have plenty of traffic in front of the goaltender. Tampa Bay will need to keep an eye on Anze Kopitar when he is on the ice because he leads the teams with 17 points. The Lightning will want to be tight defensively, and avoid the turnovers.

The Kings will need to get the first goal of the game to keep the home crowd in the game. They will need to get traffic in front of the net for deflections and rebound chances. Los Angeles also need to be aware of where the Tampa Bay defensemen are on the ice because they will join the play in the offensive zone. The Kings need to be aware of the use of the stretch pass by the Bolts to break out of their own zone. Los Angeles needs to stay out of the penalty box, even though they have a good penalty kill, since the Lightning have a really good power play.

Preds Prey: Weekly Preview 11/5/17-11/11/17

The Nashville Predators will look to get its focus back on the games, and not on the trade market. The Predators were part of a three-way trade where they acquired Kyle Turris from the Ottawa Senators.

The Preds will visit the Columbus Blue Jackets and Seth Jones on Tuesday night. The Predators will then have off three days before they take on the defending champions, Pittsburgh Penguins, at home.

Nashville's schedule seems to be more spread out this week, as does the rest of the NHL. They play a game and then have off a few days before playing its next game.


Nashville needs to get off to a good start, and then play a complete road game since the Blue Jackets have been very good on home ice this season. The Predators will need to find a way to stop the balanced lineup of the Blue Jackets, who can score in bunches or win a tight game. The Preds will need to be aware of when Seth Jones and Zach Werenski are on the ice since they have combined for 22 points on the top pairing for Columbus so far. Nashville will need to make sure that they get the first goal of the game, and have the period going into the third period since they are 5-1-0 with the lead versus 2-3-1 when trailing entering the third period. The Predators are going to need to get plenty of traffic in front of the opposition's net especially if Sergei Bobrovsky is there because if he can see the puck then he will make the save.

The Blue Jackets need to stay out of the penalty box since Nashville has a decent overall power play. Columbus will also need to get the first goal of the game since the Predators are 4-0-2 when getting the first goal, while only 3-5-0 when allowing the first goal. The Blue Jackets will need to continue their dominance at even strength this season, to have a chance at beating the Predators. Columbus needs to be aware of the puck-moving defensemen of Nashville, and also needs to find a way to stop Filip Forsberg, who leads the Preds with 14 points on the year.

The Penguins come to Nashville for a rematch of the last season's Stanley Cup Final. The Predators will need to find way to stop Sidney Crosby, Evgeny Malkin and Phil Kessel. Nashville needs to get the first goal of the game to keep the home crowd loud and in the game. The Preds will want to have the lead entering the third period since the Penguins aren't the best come-from-behind team in the third period this year. Nashville needs to get some pucks on net since the goaltending has been stellar for the Pens this year so far. The Preds also may want to stay out of the penalty box since the Pens have some guys that can flat out produce on the power play.

The Penguins will need to stay out of the penalty box since the Preds have a decent power play, and they have been mediocre on the penalty kill. Pittsburgh needs to play a better first period than they have been since they are getting outscored 22-11 in first periods this year. The Pens must play a good, solid game when even strength since they have been absolutely dominated at 5-on-5 this year. Pittsburgh should find a way to get some pucks on the net, and get some traffic in front of the Nashville goal.

Sabres Slashes: Weekly Preview 11/5/17-11/11/17

The Buffalo Sabres are looking to bounce back from a week where they only got two out of a possible eight points. It won't be an easy task.

The Sabres will take on the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night, and then they'll have two days off before a back-to-back situation with divisional implications. On Friday night, the Sabres will host the Florida Panthers, who have been struggling themselves. On Saturday night, Buffalo takes a trip to Montreal to face the Canadiens, who have managed to get a few wins lately.

The Sabres need to find a way to stop the balanced lineup of the Capitals. Buffalo will need to establish a forecheck, and a good cycle game to spend some time in the offensive zone. The Sabres are going to need to find a way to stop Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Buffalo needs to get some traffic in front of the net to take away the goalie's eyes and get some deflections. The Sabres need to get the first goal of the game and then keep building off of it. The biggest key to tonight's game is to avoid turnovers because the Capitals will take advantage of them and turn them into scoring chances and/or goals.

The Caps are only playing .500 hockey in its past 10 games. They need to pressure the puck carrier of the Sabres to force turnovers because the Sabres will turn the puck over at times. Washington needs to get the early lead and keep being aggressive or the Sabres will take advantage and try to get the win. The Caps will need to find a way to slow down Jack Eichel and Evander Kane. When the Capitals are on the power play, they will need to be aware of the shorthanded presence of Eichel and Kane, who have score a few shorthanded goals this year. Washington needs to get pucks on net because the goalies for Buffalo haven't exactly been reliable this season and have let in some soft goals.

The Sabres will have two days off before taking on the Panthers at home. Buffalo will need to take advantage of a weak penalty kill of the Panthers, and they also need to use their speed to draw penalties. The Sabres need to eliminate time and space from the skilled players of Florida like Jonathan Huberdeau, Sasha Barkov, Evgenii Dadonov and Vincent Trocheck. Buffalo will also have to be aware of where and when defenseman Aaron Ekblad is on the ice because he can fire it from the point. One of the goalies is going to have to step up and win a game for the Sabres, which they haven't done enough of this year. The Sabres just need to get pucks on net since the goalies for Florida haven't exactly been Vezina-like this year.

The Panthers will need to find a way to stop the top line of the Sabres, which consists of Evander Kane, Jack Eichel and Jason Pominville. The line has combined for 38 points in 14 games so far this year. Florida will also need to be sure that they have the lead after the second period because they haven't lost a game when leading after two periods, but they are only 1-6-0 when trailing heading into the third period. The Panthers need to use their speed through the neutral zone to back Buffalo into their own zone. The two teams are going to need to fight through the physical play. The Panthers need to get off to a fast start since the Sabres have allowed 17 first period goals.

The Sabres visit the Canadiens, who could still be without an injured Carey Price. The Sabres need to make sure that they have the lead entering the third period since they give up a lot in the third period of games. Buffalo need to watch out for the Shea Weber bombs that can come from the point especially on the power play. The Sabres need to be a lot better when playing at even strength, and they need to get off to a fast start, which has been a problem this season. Buffalo is going to need to find way to contain Jonathan Drouin and Brendan Gallagher.

The Canadiens need to make sure that they get pucks on net and have plenty of traffic in front of the opposing goalie. The Habs need to find a way to take advantage of the weak road penalty kill of the Sabres. Montreal needs to get off to better starts since they have been outscored 23-14 in first period of games. The Canadiens need to play a complete game, tighten up on defense and avoid turnovers. If the Habs an get some pucks on net then they are bound to get a few goals since the Sabres goalies haven't been the best this year.

Rapid Review: 10/29/17-11/4/17

It was a busier week for some teams than others in the NHL last week. Some teams managed to have a really good week while others just couldn't find any consistency, or found consistency, but not in a good way.

Here is a recap of the week for the teams covered in this blog:

1.) BUFFALO SABRES (1-1-0)

The Sabres came out and beat a team that they were supposed to, and lost to a better team. Buffalo beat the Arizona Coyotes by a score of 5-4, but almost blew the game by allowing the Coyotes to score three goals in the final 7:49 of the game. The Sabres got off to yet another slow start and were down 4-0 after the first period against the Stars. Robin Lehner was pulled after allowing four goals on seven shots. The Sabres need to get better defensively and have the goalies make some saves for them.

2.) DALLAS STARS (2-1-0)

The Dallas Stars started the week with a 2-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks. Ben Bishop had 38 saves and Alexander Radulov score the game-winning goal in OT. The Stars then gave up five goals to the Winnipeg Jets in a game where Mark Schiefele had a hat trick. Dallas just didn't play well in Winnipeg and the game couldn't end fast enough. The Stars ended their week by rebounded and beating the Sabres by a 5-1 score after jumping out to a 4-0 lead after the first period.

3.) NASHVILLE PREDATORS-(2-1-0) 

The Preds were on the West Coast and managed to come out of it with a winning record. The Preds lost to the San Jost Sharks, 3-2, even after playing a majority of the game down a man. Nashville then beat the Anaheim Ducks, who were without some key players, by taking an early 4-1 lead and then  never looking back. The Predators ended their week at the Staples Center visiting the Los Angeles Kings. Nashville blew a 3-0 lead but then won the game in overtime.

4.) PHILADELPHIA FLYERS (1-1-2)

The Flyers didn't have a good week overall, on the ice and with all the injuries to their defensemen. On Monday night, the Flyers were the victims of the Coyotes first win of the season, after battling back to tie the game late, the Flyers lost in overtime. The Flyers dominated the Blackhawks on Wednesday night, but just couldn't finish and lost another defenseman to injury. Philadelphia then played the Blues on Thursday night, and with a depleted defense corps, managed to win 2-0, after a stellar performance in net by Michal Neuvirth. The Orange and Black ended their week with another overtime loss, this time to the Colorado Avalanche, even though Shayne Gostisbehere returned to the lineup.

5.) TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING (2-0-1)

The Bolts managed to have a very good week with their only loss coming in overtime. The Lightning do need to tighten up on defense because they are blowing too many leads. Tampa Bay is going to need some production from Tyler Johnson and need to keep the balanced scoring in the lineup. The Bolts need to stop relying on its offense and Andrei Vasilevskiy to win games, and play some defense.

6.) TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (1-3-0)

The Leafs were a little undisciplined last week and need to play better to stay out of the box. The Maple Leafs need to play complete games and stop sitting back after they get a two or three goal lead since they let the other team back in the game. Once they get the lead, Toronto needs to keep being aggressive. Toronto was doomed by its bad defense and bad goaltending. The goalies need to start stopping some pucks and not allowing the soft goal.