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Around the Rink - Monday, November 22nd

flyersvcanadiens

James O’Brien

What’s the general percentage of people working on the Monday during Thanksgiving week? I’m thinking somewhere between 80 and 90 percent, but I could be 100 percent wrong there. Either way, whether you’re planning a leisurely day full of hockey watching or in need of a light at the end of the tunnel at work, here are previews of today’s eight games. As usual, the start times are Eastern (ET).

7:00 pm

Dallas @ Toronto

The Stars have won the last four meetings between these two relative strangers and their odds of continuing that streak are solid. They bring in a high-powered offense while the Maple Leafs are struggling to provide goal support for their beleaguered goalies. Toronto’s biggest advantage is probably the fact that they are playing at home, though.

Calgary @ NY Rangers

When I think of these two teams, the first thing that pops into my head is the recent trend that Darryl Sutter often looks like an even more befuddled general manager than mistake prone Glen Sather. (Sutter’s most recent trade seemed silly, as he had to throw useful defenseman Ian White in a deal just to get rid of a troubled family member.)

The Flames come into this game frustrated, as they coughed up a two goal lead in the third period to lose to the Red Wings in crushing fashion. The Rangers are the more rested of the two teams, so we’ll see if that factors into this contest.

Washington @ New Jersey

This game was supposed to be a clash between two Eastern Conference titans, but only the Capitals are holding up their end of the bargain. Meanwhile, the Devils are off to their second worst start in team history and are especially pitiful at home with a 1-5-2 record. Put their sputtering start together with the fact that Martin Brodeur will be out as he rests his elbow and it’s pretty difficult to predict good things for New Jersey. Then again, the NHL often surprises, so you never know.

Montreal @ Philadelphia

The only thing separates these two teams in the standings is one point via an overtime/shootout loss for the Flyers. Last time these two teams met, Carey Price continued his outstanding play with a shutout victory. We’ll see if the league’s stingiest team (Montreal has only allowed 39 goals this season) can shut down its most explosive (Philadelphia leads the league with 75 goals) once again.

Nashville @ Columbus

The Blue Jackets might just be the most surprising team in the NHL, at least in a positive way. Columbus just wrapped up an undefeated road trip, but are only .500 at home. They are currently on a three game winning streak as they host the Predators, who are starting to get things back together after struggling a bit the last few weeks.

7:30 pm

Pittsburgh @ Florida

It’s been a bumpy start to the season for the Penguins - which really isn’t as big of a surprise as you might think - but it seems like they’re starting to heat up (4-0-1 in their last five games). They’ll pay a Panthers team that is pretty stout at home (5-2-0 in Sunrise so far) and Tomas Vokoun is 4-1 in his last five, so this could be an interesting game even if it seems lopsided in star power.

Los Angeles @ Ottawa

These two teams show how quickly things can change in the NHL. The Kings suddenly find the Coyotes rapidly approaching their rear view mirror in the Pacific Division while the Senators seem to go from hot and cold streaks seemingly with the suddenness of a flick of a light switch. Ottawa was outscored 17-4 in dropping the last three games of a four game road trip, so it’s safe to say they are happy to be home again.

Boston @ Tampa Bay

Each of these teams has 24 points (although Boston got there in two less games played), but they got there in different ways; the Lightning with electric goal scoring and the Bruins with outstanding goaltending and defense. One heartening thing for Tampa Bay: they played 13 of their first 20 games on the road, so they are quietly one of the league’s scrappier clubs. That being said, the Bruins are 7-1 on the road so it won’t be a picnic for the Lightning.