25 Anaheim at 7 Minnesota
Anaheim has yet to put anything substantial together. The top line of Getzlaf and Perry has done nothing. Personally, I think losing those guys like Bonino and Beleskey and Palmieri, guys that plug the lower lines and provide energy, has finally caught up to the team. The subtraction of Beauchemin probably has a negative impact as well. They beat Minnesota a week ago and I thought they might be turning things around. Now, I am less hopeful. Minnesota has played consistent hockey albeit a little less good than I was expecting. They are good but no better than last season, it seems. Which is still good.
Minnesota
27 New Jersey at 26 Buffalo
New Jersey is playing surprisingly well. Many will credit Goalie Cory Schneider and he is playing very well - if in Montreal, he would be at least 6-0-0 like Price. However, I think the key to this team being able to eek out these close wins is the play of Adam Henrique on forward and Adam Larsson on defense. Everyone has been contributing but these two set the tone - hard working and disciplined. I am surprised by this team because they are so different than they were even just four years ago - even having a new staff and GM. But I guess they are sticking with the systems that brought so much success under Lou Lamoriello - defensive system first, focused on good transition play. It works. Buffalo is playing and could win but only if they get a couple of easy/weak goals or someone like Ennis or Reinhart gets hot.
New Jersey
24 Toronto at 1 Montreal
Toronto winning this game will be like an unranked NCSU beating Duke or UNC. The rivalry is long-running here and Montreal is easily playing the best hockey in the league - at every position. Toronto seems to be more responsible than in the past few season (this could be just my FAITH in Mike Babcock and thus only imagined :) ) Tonight they will have to be close to perfect. Montreal has defensive depth and forward depth. They actually remind me of the LA Kings in those cup winning seasons. Every line makes the other teams work to generate good shots and good is usually NOT in the center of the ice - which makes a goalie's job a bit easier.
Montreal
16 Arizona at 11 Ottawa
I would love to see Arizona play at a high level - system-wise. If they do, they can be very difficult to beat and if the kids (Domi, DuClair and Reider) can produce at all, Arizona has a great chance of winning. Sadly, I think my early hopes are being deflated - this team is coached well and they do stick to the system, however, they really aren't deep in skill. Ottawa is similar but with more experience. Also, I don't think the coaching is as solid nor as established. Kyle Turris will play solid. Ottawa will need guys like Pageau and Ryan to step up.
Arizona
20 New York Rangers at 17 Philadelphia
Another statement game for the Rangers - they need to establish their style and they need to score instead of just shoot. Philly is playing their normal on and off way - they have a few true goal scorers, but these guys can disappear. Their system is good and then in moments it goes away and they give up quality chances. The Rangers need to take advantage of these moments and prevent the top scorers from getting many chances.
New York Rangers
6 New York Islanders at 4 St. Louis
Another team I don't have figured out. How do they lose to Boston!? Maybe this team is lacking depth more obviously than I give credit. I don't know their defense. I don't know their system. I do know Tavares and Okposo and, even, Nelson - they have a lot of that middle-tier forward type. St Louis is the opposite - no Tavares-like talent here but a lot of upper middle-tier guys and a defense that is very respectable. And the Hitchcock system. Injuries to Stastny and, now, Jaden Schwartz may slow this team down. Those are really good depth players and eventually that will hurt to lose them.
St Louis
19 Pittsburgh at 5 Nashville
11 goals in 7 games for Pittsburgh. Who would have guessed that Pittsburgh's issues are offense!? Crosby and Kessel didn't connect and now they are on different lines. Nashville's James Neal has been putting it in the net and he'd love to get at least another against his former team. They are getting scoring from everyone so far. Forsberg looks to be avoiding in sort of sophomore slump - he's playing well. Nashville's relies on its big defense anchored by Shea Weber. It's easy to forget a player like Mike Ribiero who put up a decent offensive effort last season and seems to be ready this season as well.
Nashville
13 Florida at 3 Dallas
The Panthers are having mild trouble at both ends of the ice. Dallas is coming in to this game on a five game win streak. Everyone expected Benn and Seguin to be in form, as they were all last season. However, Spezza may be a surprise. He is playing with jump and his efforts are bolstering the second line. Jokipakka on defense has been solid - this is his second season with the Stars but he was invisible to me last season. Jagr is without Alexander Barkov, who has a wrist injury. Another Panther will need rise up - Bjugstad is capable.
Dallas
10 Tampa Bay at 15 Chicago
Tampa's offense is as good as ever. Stamkos is scoring, as usual, but all the lines are and with a healthy Victor Hedman contributing, they are basically guaranteed some goals. But they seem to be giving up scoring chances as well. Chicago will certainly test them, even without the Duncan Keith. His being out may turn into a blessing as some of the other young defensemen get more time on the ice. You can't ever count this Blackhawk team out of things, but I think Tampa will win this.
Tampa Bay
30 Columbus at 23 Colorado
Columbus can finally win one here. They have a lot of talent and depth but haven't put it together. Torts wants a win and will have them all fired up for it. Colorado needs a win - Patrick Roy has to be kinda on the hot seat after winning the Jack Adams Trophy in his first season coaching the Avs. The Avs are relying on only a few guys scoring right now and in the NHL that doesn't generate wins. If Ryan Johansen is out of the line-up for the Blue Jackets, the Avs should win this.
Columbus
14 Detroit at 9 Vancouver
Detroit is not a push-over but they are far from the playoff team from a few years ago. Well, not super far, just maybe Datsyuk far away. It will be interesting to see how they will play once he returns. Vancouver is going through some struggles. The scoring is spread out but still not a lot. The defense is solid but not dominating. Detroit can be efficient scorers and if Zetterberg can get some plays going and Larkin is noticeable, they can win.
Vancouver
28 Carolina at 2 San Jose
Carolina plays another Western team and yet another style, too. San Jose might overwhelm offensively, but I think the Canes handle that style well. Los Angeles plays from the defense out and that really left the Canes chasing. San Jose will give the Canes more skating space and that could really help the Staals get some goals. Skinner needs to show up, as well. They need his scoring touch if they want to pile some wins up. The defense is thin and San Jose could find room on the ice. If so they have plenty of players that can finish it. Without Logan Couture and Paul Martin, San Jose has been giving up more goals and scoring less. Martin might return tonight. If so, San Jose's chances go up - he isn't great but he is a good skating defenseman.
Carolina
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