We at TruluvSports are continuing our weekly series on top games to watch in the NHL. This is a short week; games are only played Monday through Wednesday followed by the All-Star break. Criteria for these games typically will include (in no particular order): division rivalries, star power, historic rivalries, playoff implications, teams on hot streaks, or just potentially a good show on the ice.
Top games to watch 1/19/15 – 1/25/15
Monday 1/19
Vancouver Canucks at Florida Panthers
Round 2 of Roberto Luongo versus his former team. This time it will be on Bobby Lu’s home ice. This will be another good goaltending matchup, The Canucks’ Ryan Miller posted back-to-back shutouts last week. The Panthers have actually lost 3 straight games and need to get back in the win column if they want to keep pace in the Wild Card race.
Tuesday 1/20
Pittsburgh Penguins at Philadelphia Flyers
One of the best rivalries in the NHL. This game should have everything a hockey fan would want. 4 of the top 5 scorers in the NHL (Voracek, Giroux, Crosby, and Malkin) will be on the same sheet of ice. This game will feature plenty of NHL stars, snarl, and offensive firepower. Philly is way down the standings in the Metropolitan Division but they always play tough against a top-quality Pens team.
Wednesday 1/21
LA Kings at San Jose Sharks
Another great rivalry game to close out All-Star week. San Jose ruined LA’s banner raising ceremony to start the season by laying a 4-0 beat down on the Kings on opening night. Though they both have won a game in the season series, this will be the first game in San Jose since last year’s game 7 debacle where the Sharks blew a 3 games to 0 series lead and lost game 7 on home ice even after opening the scoring in the game. Neither team has played well in 2015 but expect both teams to leave it all on the ice before the teams head into the All-Star break.
Thursday 1/22
No Games Scheduled
Friday 1/23
2015 NHL All-Star Fantasy Draft
What strategy will the captains use? Will they pick their teammates? Will they pick their rivals? This is a fun event that allows fans to see the more fun side of NHL stars. This is a fantasy draft on steroids. This is a can’t miss event.
Saturday 1/24
2015 NHL All-Star Skills Competition
Tune in to see the best players in the world compete to see who has the hardest shot, the most accurate shot, who is the fastest skater among other things. These players always put on a good show.
Sunday 1/25
The NHL All-Star Game
Expect a ton of goals in this game. Even though the goaltending is top-notch, the offensive firepower in this game is bound to score goals. Bitter rivals could be teammates, best friends could be on opposing sides, and this is really the best possible scenario for any All-Star game in any sport. The All-Star game will be an exciting cap to this week in the NHL.