The sixth week of the NHL has shown us a preview of who might be some legitimate teams to watch for the playoffs and who needs to start setting up some tables for the team yard sale.
After a month we can start to dismiss the talk of “slow starts” and unlucky bounces. Certain teams are just bad, and other teams are showing that talent can overcome almost anything.
Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Rangers, Wednesday 8 p.m. EST, NBCSN
This week’s edition of “rivalry week” brings us to Madison Square Garden where Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers host Sidney Crosby and the Eastern Conference leading Penguins. There is no love lost between these division rivals and with the Rangers finally learning to score, maybe they can salvage their season. The Penguins arrive on Broadway winners of their last four. Already atop the division and the conference, the Pens are starting to get healthy which is bad news for the rest of the NHL.
Anaheim Ducks at New York Rangers, Monday 7:30 p.m. EST, NBCSN
The Ducks fly south from Buffalo (couldn’t resist there) to the Big Apple to play the red-hot Rangers. While red-hot might be a bit of a reach, New York has won their last three games and seems to have found some offense. Anaheim is wrapping up an eight-game road trip with a showdown with the Rangers. The Ducks head west for a home stand after their eleven-day rolling carnival the Eastern Conference.
Vancouver Canucks at Phoenix Coyotes, Tuesday 9 p.m. EST, Regional Networks
It is hard to say that the success in Vancouver has been surprising, but I thought the transition to John Tortorella might be a little rough. Instead the Canucks are making some noise as possible contenders for the Pacific Division crown. The same goes for the oft-overlooked Coyotes of Phoenix. We all know their story, now we need to tune in to one of the best teams in the NHL. Yeah, I said it.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Detroit Red Wings, Saturday 7 p.m. EST Regional Networks
Of course we all know that Steve Yzerman’s team is returning to Detroit, but that awkward reunion has already happened in 2011. The bigger story is that Tampa and Detroit are now division rivals and in direct competition with one another. Many expected to see the Red Wings among the leaders, but Tampa has been impressive through the first month of the season. Matchups in big games also seem to bring the best out of Lightning star Steven Stamkos.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Boston Bruins, Saturday 7 p.m. EST, NHL Network
The Leafs return to their house of horrors from May 13, 2013. Everyone knows what happened and I’ll spare the Leaf readers the gory details. Toronto visits the Boston barn for the first of two visits and four overall meetings with their old enemies. Both clubs are playing outstanding hockey from the start of the season, so this Saturday clash should be almost as memorable even with significantly less at stake.