Another weekend, another chance to laze around and watch some puck. Like every weekend in the NHL, there’s plenty of hockey to go around -- sometimes, perhaps, too much. Don’t fear, however. We’re here to help narrow down your choices.
NHL Weekend Viewing Guide: Will Kaleta, Sabres Retaliate Against Hjalmarsson, Hawks?
Introducing the NHL Game of the Week as part of our weekly guide to the weekend in hockey.
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To kick things off each week, we’ll pick one must-see game of the weekend. Call it the SB Nation Game of the Week. Be sure to check back on Monday morning when we’ll break down video on the Game of the Week to see exactly how the cards fell.
All times Eastern.
TV: MSG Buffalo HD, WGN HD
SB Nation blogs: Die By The Blade, Second City Hockey
The Storyline: Let’s rewind to Monday. The ‘Hawks are in Buffalo to take on the Sabres. With about five minutes remaining in the first period with the home team up 2-1, this happens.
Niklas Hjalmarasson winds up with a two game suspension for the hit on Jason Pominville. Two games later, guess who's in town? Ah, yes, the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night at United Center.
They're angry that Hjalmarsson wasn't sent packing for more than just the two games and there's a pretty significant chance that something goes down on Saturday night. Patrick Kaleta told WGR Radio in Buffalo that...
“We’re a team here and it’ll get taken care of with the league or we play them Saturday so we’ll make a point that you can’t be taking hits like that against one of our leaders and one of our better players.”
Now on to the complete guide.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15
7 p.m.: Colorado Avalanche at New Jersey Devils
TV: Altitude HD, MSG Plus 2
SB Nation blogs: Mile High Hockey, In Lou We Trust
Why You Should Watch: The Avalanche are just a fun team to watch. When you look at their roster, it's like looking at the roster of the American International College Yellow Jackets in that you've never heard of any of these kids. Kevin Porter, Brandon Yip, David Jones, Ryan Wilson. Say who what now?
They’re speedier than just about any team in the league, they’re young and they play an aggressive style. Meanwhile, the Devils have allowed twice as many goals as they’ve scored on the year and just look plain ugly. If The Man With The 100 Million Dollars and his teammates underestimate the Avs, it’ll be a long night.
7 p.m.: Toronto Maple Leafs at New York Rangers
TV: Rogers’ Sportsnet Ontario HD, MSG HD
SB Nation blogs: Pension Plan Puppets, Blueshirt Banter
Why You Should Watch: The Maple Leafs are why you should watch. They’re playing some great hockey right now, if you’ve yet to take notice, and when they like win yet again, their hyped-up fans will continue mapping out the parade route. That’s pretty great fodder in itself. See, everybody wins (except the Rangers).
10:30 p.m.: Vancouver Canucks at Los Angeles Kings
TV: Rogers’ Sportsnet Pacific HD, FS West HD
SB Nation blogs: Nucks Misconduct, Jewels From The Crown
Why You Should Watch: Fightin’ words from Nucks Misconduct, that’s why:
Have you forgotten about the Canucks 3rd period atrocity against the Ducks on Wednesday? Me neither. But I know what will help: laying an ass-kicking on the Kings, a team that spoiled our open night ceremonies last Saturday.
And the night’s other games, to whet your intermission channel surfing appetite:
7 p.m.: New York Islanders at Pittsburgh Penguins (MSG Plus HD, FS Pittsburgh HD)
7 p.m.: Chicago Blackhawks at Columbus Blue Jackets (CSN Chicago HD, FS Ohio HD)
7:30 p.m. Montreal Canadiens at Buffalo Sabres (RDS HD, MSG Buffalo HD)
10 p.m.: Atlanta Thrashers at Anaheim Ducks (Prime Ticket HD, no Atlanta telecast)
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16
6 p.m.: Pittsburgh Penguins at Philadelphia Flyers
TV: NHL Network US HD, FS Pittsburgh HD, CSN Philly HD
SB Nation blogs: Pensburgh, Broad Street Hockey
Why You Should Watch: It’s always fun when these two teams get together, but the Sports Complex in South Philly will be a little extra pumped up for this one. It’s a 6 p.m. start time because the Phillies are across the street playing that game with the bat and the ball at around 8ish. A lot of fans are going to both games -- or at least most of both games since they’ll overlap a bit -- so the atmosphere at Wells Fargo Center should feel extra playoffy.
7 p.m.: Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida Panthers
TV: FS Florida HD
SB Nation blogs: Raw Charge, Litter Box Cats
Why You Should Watch: Steven Stamkos.
7 p.m.: Ottawa Senators at Montreal Canadiens
TV: CBC HD, RDS HD
SB Nation blogs: Silver Seven, Eyes On The Prize
Why You Should Watch: Carey Price hasn't won a game at home in 247 days... and counting.
And now, the evening’s other games, to whet your intermission channel surfing appetite:
7 p.m.: Boston Bruins at New Jersey Devils (NESN HD, MSG Plus HD)
7 p.m. Colorado Avalanche at New York Islanders (Altitude HD, MSG Plus 2)
8 p.m.: Washington Capitals at Nashville Predators (CSN Washington HD, SportSouth HD)
8 p.m.: Columbus Blue Jackets at Minnesota Wild (FS Ohio HD, KSTC HD)
8:30 p.m.: St. Louis Blues at Dallas Stars (FS Midwest HD, TXA 21 HD)
9 p.m. Detroit Red Wings at Phoenix Coyotes (FS Detroit HD, FS Arizona HD)
10 p.m.: Edmonton Oilers at Calgary Flames (CBC HD)
10:30 p.m.: Atlanta Thrashers at San Jose Sharks (no Atlanta telecast, CSN California HD)
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17
8 p.m.: Phoenix Coyotes at Anaheim Ducks
TV: FS Arizona HD, Prime Ticket HD
SB Nation blogs: Five For Howling, Anaheim Calling
Why You Should Watch: This reason actually has nothing to do with the game or anything, especially since it’s at Honda Center and not in Glendale, but you can buy food from your seat at Coyotes home games. I mean, root for the team if only for one reason...
9 p.m.: Carolina Hurricanes at Vancouver Canucks
TV: FS Carolinas HD, Rogers’ Sportsnet Pacific HD
SB Nation blogs: Canes Country, Nucks Misconduct
Why You Should Watch: Just a nice, relaxing inter-conference match up to round out your weekend.
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