Football season is over, folks, so it’s time to make room in your schedule to watch some hockey. Maybe you’re one of those people who “doesn’t care about hockey” or thinks “it’s stupid and boring,” but that’s probably because you’re either a boring person yourself or you’re watching the New York Islanders play the Columbus Blue Jackets. So I’m breaking it down and making it real easy. Here are three games this week that are guaranteed to keep you entertained.
Tuesday, February 5th
Chicago Blackhawks vs. San Jose Sharks 7:30pm PST
THUUZ Rating: 100/100
These two teams have played the best hockey so far this season. The Blackhawks started out the season 6-0, while the Sharks went 7-0. Sharks winger Patrick Marleau tied a 95-year old NHL record with four consecutive 2-goal games. Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa are leading the Hawks with their combined 23 points in 9 games. Goaltending has been strong for both sides. Sharks goalie Antti Niemi is leading the league in wins and the Blackhawks tandem of Corey Crawford and Ray Emery are helping Chicago win games every night. Both of these teams want to prove that they are the best in the West. If they stay as hot as they’ve been, we could very possibly be seeing them in a WCF match-up.
Wednesday, February 6th
Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens 7:30pm EST
THUUZ Rating: 98/100
The Bruins-Habs rivalry is one of the oldest and greatest rivalries in all of sports. With the Canadiens out of a playoff spot last season, this rivalry was put on hold, but now the Habs have started out hot and look ready to take on the Eastern Conference-leading Bruins for the first time this season. This awesome video shows the top 10 moments in the history of this epic rivalry. It’s definitely worth a watch. Lots and lots of blood.
Saturday February 9th
Boston Bruins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning 1:00pm EST
THUUZ Rating: 96/100
The Bruins and the Lightning are the top two teams in the East right now. After missing the playoffs last season Tampa Bay is looking stronger than ever. They acquired goaltender Anders Lindback from Nashville who is providing some stability in net that they have been lacking for the last few years. The Lightning want to prove that they have what it takes to make a run at the Cup this season and if they can handle the physicality of the Bruins and come out with a win, that would be a great start for them. As of right now, they are separated by just one point in the standings. It should be a pretty even match-up.
