Five NHL questions: Alex Steen looks to extend torrid pace
A daily feature that asks the five biggest questions about today’s NHL action. Will they be answered? (That doesn’t count as one of the five questions.)
Thomas is making his first return to Boston since taking a year-long sabbatical. However, the goaltender is not expected to play due to injury. We're under the impression that he will travel with the team. The Boston fans booed Tyler Seguin when he returned to town on Tuesday night. Will they make any acknowledgement of Thomas?
2. Will Erik Karlsson or P.K. Subban do anything of note?
The Montreal Canadiens will challenge the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night, which means two of the game's top young defensemen will face each other. Karlsson acknowledged on Wednesday that he believes Subban is better than him. Both players are explosive and can take a game over at any time. Will that be the case when they meet?
3. Will the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia Flyers combine for more than two goals?
Two of the league’s most anemic offenses will meet in Philadelphia on Thursday night. When the teams met on Saturday, the Devils attempted 14 shots on goal and lost 1-0. Might wanna bring some reading material to this game.
4. Can Josh Harding stymy the Washington Capitals?
Feel good story of the early season alert: Josh Harding is playing out of his mind. Harding currently leads the NHL in goals-against average (1.09) and save percentage (.951), in addition to being tied for the most shutouts with two. All this comes after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis last season. Assuming Harding gets the nod on Thursday, we’ll be interested to see if he can stall the Capitals explosive offense.
5. Will Alex Steen extend his goal-per-game pace?
13 games, 13 goals for Steen. He has scored at least one goal in all but two games this season and enters competition on Thursday night as the league’s leader.
