Week five of the NHL season brings us more of the speed, finesse, grace and blood-spewing violence from our favorite adopted sport from Canada. The lineup for the week has plenty of rivalries that are budding and some old foes that can’t wait to get another shot at a hated enemy.
If you weren’t already excited enough about the start of the NBA season, then here are five more games that will whet your appetite for action and excitement.
Montreal Canadiens at New York Rangers, Monday 7:30 p.m. EST, NBCSN
After a grueling and soul-crushing nine game road trip to open the season, the Rangers get to finally play in their own barn The renovations/upgrades to Madison Square Garden sent their tenants on a west coast grind that spiraled into a 3-6 record with a -18 goal differential. Henrik Lundqvist is back in the lineup for the home debut which is about the only good news that New York fans have had all year.
New York Rangers at New York Islanders, Tuesday 7:00 p.m. EST, MSG Network
With the Sunday night mini-blockbuster that sent Matt Moulson to Buffalo and Thomas Vanek to the Isles, New York is shifting to an Islanders type of town. With the move to Brooklyn next year the rivalry between the white collar (Rangers) and blue collar (Islanders) will hit a fever pitch. The Tuesday evening presentation of an accomplished sniper like Vanek means that the Islanders want to win now. Last Friday’s win in Pittsburgh and a big trade are huge for a loyal fan base that has waited a long time for a winner.
Anaheim Ducks at Boston Bruins, Thursday 7 p.m. EST, NHL Network
Here is our weekly version of east versus west as the Ducks invade the TD Gardens. Boston slipped past the San Jose Sharks last week with a final (literally) second win and will need to summon equal amounts of fortitude to tangle with the frisky fowl from Anaheim. Aside from a Maple Leaf-esque collapse against New Jersey on Saturday, Tuukka Rask has been amazing this season. Ironically all three of the Bruins’ losses have come at home where they are traditionally tough. The Bruins will be stop number six during an eight game road trip for the Ducks. (Insert duck flying in a direction joke here__________)
St. Louis Blues at Tampa Bay Lightning, Saturday 7 p.m. EST, Sunshine Network
The Tampa Bay Lightning are in first place in the Atlantic Division. Seriously. Say that out loud and remember that they are currently sitting atop Boston, Toronto, Detroit, Montreal and Ottawa. I don’t expect this trend to last, but at least there is the promise of Steven Stamkos on a network other than the Sunshine Network. The Lightning will get a stern test when the Blues come to town. St. Louis has played fewer games than everyone else in the Central Division, but look poised to challenge the Chicago Blackhawks for the top spot in the west.
Boston Bruins at Pittsburgh Penguins, Wednesday 8 p.m. EST, NBCSN
Hooray for NBC for accurately getting a “Rivalry Night” matchup correct. With Halloween right around the corner Sidney Crosby and the gang face their biggest nightmare embodied in the big, bad Bruins. Can the Penguins face their fear and overcome the ghost of Stanley Cup playoffs’ past (sorry, wrong holiday there) or will the ghoulish Milan Lucic and terrifying Tuukka Rask stymie the Penguins again? I’ll be watching to see if Crosby gets brave enough to shoot his mouth at Franken-Chara during this regular season clash.