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.

Lightning Strikes: Weekly Preview 1/28/18-2/3/18

The Tampa Bay Lightning are looking to continue the success that they've had all season long. They also look to get Victor Hedman back from an injury.

It won't be easy for the Bolts since they will have to be playing on the road in Canada. They will take on the Central Division leading Winnipeg Jets tonight. On Thursday night, the will take on the Calgary Flames, who are battling for a playoff spot. The Lightning will end the week with a visit to Vancouver to take on a struggling Canucks team.

The Bolts take on a Winnipeg Jets team who lost defenseman Jacob Trouba for the foreseeable future due to injury. The Lighting will need to establish a forecheck to get some offensive zone time and keep the balanced offensive lineup in their own zone. Tampa Bay needs to play a solid, 60 minute road game and everyone will need to pitch in since the Jets are 17-3-1 on home ice. The Bolts should try to stay out of the penalty box since Winnipeg has the second ranked power play in the League. The Lightning are going to need the goaltender to come up big.

The Jets will need to stop the balanced attack of the Lightning, who have four lines that can score. Winnipeg will need to have the lead entering the final period since they are only 1-12-1 when trailing after two periods. The Jets will need to get the first goal of the game and keep building from there. They will need to get off to a fast start, get plenty of pucks on net and get deflections. The Jets are going to need the goalie to come up with some big saves.

The Lightning will then travel to Calgary to take on the Flames on Thursday night. The Bolts need to be smart with the puck since the Flames can force turnovers. Tampa Bay will need to win the special teams battle since neither the Flames don't have a great power play and the Bolts have a weak penalty kill. The Bolts should get plenty of shots on goal and traffic in front of the net. The Lightning need to keep an eye out on the Flames defensive corps since they can put up some number offensively. Tampa Bay needs to stay out of the penalty box since they have a weak penalty kill.

Calgary should try to use their speed to create odd man rushes, and scoring chances. The Flames will need to be solid on the defensive side of the puck since the Lightning have a good offensive team. Calgary will need to protect the puck while making smart decisions to avoid turnovers. The Flames need to take advantage of the weak penalty kill of the Lightning, and get their own power play on track. They will also need to set the tempo of the game from the opening face-off, and not let the Bolts dictate how they will play the game.

On Saturday, the Bolts finish out the week against the Vancouver Canucks, who are struggling. Tampa Bay will need to play with discipline since the Canucks do have one of the better power plays in the League. The Lightning should try to get the first goal of the game and get off to a decent start. The Bolts want to get plenty of shots on goal since the goaltending has struggled at times this year for the Canucks. Tampa Bay will want to keep attacking and not sit back once they have the lead because the Canucks can score some goals.

The Canucks need to establish the forecheck and cycle game early to keep the Lightning in their own zone and defending. Vancouver will want to get plenty of traffic in front and shoot high especially if Andrei Vasilevskiy is in net. The Canucks should try to get more than just Brock Boeser, the phenomenal rookie, involved in the goal scoring. Vancouver will need to find a way to stay in the game and hope that they goaltending can come up with some big saves when needed. The Canucks need to get the first goal of the game and limit their mistakes with and without the puck.

Sabres Slashes: Weekly Preview 1/28/18-2/3/18

The Buffalo Sabres are looking to continue the momentum of two shutout wins against the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks before the All Star Break.

They will take on the New Jersey Devils tonight at home. On Thursday night, the Florida Panthers come to town, and then they end the week by facing the St. Louis Blues.

Buffalo needs to get off to a fast start in this game, and set the pace early. The Sabres need to win the special teams battle since they haven't exactly been the strongest team on the power play and penalty kill this season. Buffalo should try to force some turnovers to spend some time in the offensive zone, and get some shots on goal to test the goalie out early in the game. The Sabres will have to figure out a way to stop Taylor Hall, who leads the Devils in goals, assists and points since he will be returning to the lineup after missing a few games due to injury. Buffalo will want to use its speed to create in the offensive zone and draw some penalties.

The Devils should test out the goaltending early and often since a both teams are coming off of the All Star Break. New Jersey will want to establish the forecheck and cycle game to spend some time in the offensive zone. The Devils need to take advantage of a weak Sabres' penalty kill. New Jersey will want to try to get off to a fast start and get the first goal of the game if they want to try to get on a roll to acquired some points. The Devils need to make sure that they don't play down to their opponent, and stay focused.

On Thursday night, the Sabres take on a fellow Atlantic Division team in the Florida Panthers, who have been struggling lately. Buffalo needs to get pucks on net with traffic especially if the veteran goalies James Reimer and Roberto Luongo aren't back from their injuries. They'll want to test the young starting goalie. The Sabres should come out with more energy to get better starts to games since they've been outscored 44-22 in first periods of games. Buffalo needs to play with discipline since they don't have the best penalty kill. The Sabres want to be the better team while playing at even strength since the Panthers have struggled in this area. Bufffalo will want to stop the balanced attack of the Panthers especially Jonathan Huberdeau and Vincent Trocheck.

The Panthers will want to have the lead entering the third period since they are only 5-17-3 when trailing after two periods. Florida needs to get the power play going against a weak penalty kill since they have the talent on the power play to score some goals. The Panthers will need to get off to a better start and set the tone early in the game. Florida will need to take care of the puck because the Sabres have a few guys that can take advantage of turnovers like Jack Eichel and Evander Kane. The Panthers need to break out of a slump and this would be the perfect game to do so.

Buffalo ends the week with a visit from the St. Louis Blues, who have been playing better hockey as of late. The Sabres will need a good defensive game from top to bottom since the Blues have the fire power to score a ton of goals. Buffalo needs the goaltending to come up big in this game since the Blues will have their chances. The Sabres will need to play a good game at even strength. Buffalo will need to stop the balanced attack of the Blues, and to be aware of the Blues defense corps since they can rack up some points.

The Blues need to make sure that they have the lead entering the final period. St. Louis needs to make sure that they get the first goal of the game and keep attacking. The Blues need to make sure that they play a good game and don't lose focus to the Sabres, who are looking to play spoiler for teams in the playoff race. St. Louis will need to stop Jack Eichel and get plenty of shots on goal with traffic in front. The Blues will need to make sure that they are good at even strength since they don't have the best special teams numbers in the League.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rapid Review: All-Star Edition

It's that time of the year again where teams across the NHL go on their bye week, and the NHL announces its All-Star rosters. The game will once again be played in a 3-on-3 tournament to decide who wins the $1 million prize. As usual, every team must be represented by one player so there were definitely some snubs.

Here are the players selected for the Buffalo Sabres, Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators, Philadelphia Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs.

1.) BUFFALO SABRES- JACK EICHEL

Jack Eichel being the lone All-Star representative for the Sabres was the easy and right choice. He will be on the Atlantic Division All-Star Squad. This is Eichel's first All-Star selection of his young career. He leads the Sabres with 17 goals, 22 assists and 39 points. The selection of Eichel was an easy one especially since the Sabres have been struggling and are one of the worst teams in the NHL.

2.) DALLAS STARS- JOHN KLINGBERG & TYLER SEGUIN

The Dallas Stars will have two representatives in Tampa Bay for the All-Star Game. This will be John Klingberg's first time at the All-Star game while Tyler Seguin gets the nod for the fifth time in his career. Klingberg leads all NHL defensemen with 39 points and is first on the Stars with 33 assists. Seguin leads the Stars in goals with 21 and points with 40. He is having another good year and is on pace for just under 80 points. Since being traded to Dallas, he has been nothing but consistent and has developed a nice chemistry with Jamie Benn.

3.) NASHVILLE PREDATORS- PETER LAVIOLETTE, PK SUBBAN & PEKKA RINNE

The Preds will be represented by two players and their coach. Peter Laviolette will coach the Central Division All-Stars, while PK Subban was the fan elected captain. Pekka Rinne has had an outstanding season for the Predators and will be an All-Star for the second time in his career. Subban is second on the Preds with 32 points while leading the team in assists with 23. Subban is ranked fourth among all NHL defenseman with 32 points and third in goals with nine. Rinne ranked eighth in save percentage, sixth in wins (21) and 10th in goals against average in the NHL.

4.) PHILADELPHIA FLYERS- CLAUDE GIROUX

The lone Flyers representative is their captain, Claude Giroux. The center moved to the left wing to start the season and it has paid off. He is 5th in the NHL in scoring with 52 points. Giroux leads the Flyers in points with 52 and is second on the team in assists (38) and goals (14). The forward is taking part in his fifth All-Star Game in his career. He should have been joined by, at least, one other teammate as Jake Voracek has 51 points, Sean Couturier is having a break out season and Shayne Gostisbehere has bounced back with 32 points, which is fifth among NHL defensemen.

5.) TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING- JON COOPER, VICTOR HEDMAN, NIKITA KUCHEROV, STEVEN STAMKOS & ANDREI VASILEVSKIY

The Lightning have four players and one coach going to the All-Star game so the hometown fans will have plenty to cheer about. The Bolts are the best team in hockey so it makes sense that they are sending four players. Hedman has been outstanding on the defensive side of the puck and is a +24 while putting up some points (33). Kucherov leads the NHL in points (60) and goals (27). Stamkos has managed to stay healthy so far this year, and is a big part of the success of the Lightning. Vasilevskiy leads the NHL in wins (27), is second in save percentage (.933), and second in goals against average (2.10).

6.) TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS- AUSTON MATTHEWS

The lone player going for the Leafs is Auston Matthews. This is his second selection and he will be playing with the Atlantic Division All-Stars. Matthews hasn't had to be the man in Toronto this year so his numbers are a bit lower than most, but he has had help with the balanced scoring. He leads the Leafs in goals (19) and points (33).

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.

3 Keys: Tampa Bay Lightning @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1/2/18)

The Tampa Bay Lightning will take on the Toronto Maple Leafs in a big Atlantic Division game tonight. The puck is set to drop around 7:00 p.m.

Here are three keys to tonight's game:

1.) PENALTY KILL

If there is one weakness to the Tampa Bay Lightning it is their penalty kill, which is ranked 27th in the NHL. They have allowed 27 power play goals against while being shorthanded 125 times (78.4%). Their road penalty kill is actually worse at 77.6%. The Maple Leafs are a good penalty killing team overall, but are terrible killing penalties on home ice. Toronto has allowed 12 power play goals against while being shorthanded 52 times (76.9%). If either one of these teams wants to win the game tonight then one of the penalty kill units will have to step up or the two teams will need to play a very discipline game.

2.) DEFENSE

Toronto has a tendency to get a lead and then give it back up. They’ll need to make sure that they keep attacking, but not be over aggressive so they are out of position defensively. The Leafs will need to play a solid team defense game and make sure they help each other out especially the forwards. The Bolts have to be aware of the speed and creativity of the Leafs and not get caught out of position chasing them around the ice. The Lightning are also going to need to be aware of the odd man rushes that the Leafs can create.








3.) GOALTENDING

The Leafs are going to need a good game from Frederik Andersen since the Bolts will create and get pucks on net. They will really need Andersen to be their best penalty killer tonight since the Bolts can  really move the puck and create on the power play. Andrei Vasilevskiy has been the Bolts best player almost all year, and is putting up some Vezina-like numbers in the Bolts net. The goaltending is going to be really good tonight for both teams since they can put the puck in the net and create chances.