With another great hockey weekend ahead of us, it is time to take a look at the games, players, and stories to look out for this weekend.
Thursday 10/16
Penguins @ Kings - 2010s Throwback
If you were born before 2005, you remember a time when Sid the Kid (Crosby) versus the powerhouse Los Angeles Kings in October could have been a preview for the Stanley Cup final. The superstars from that era are still on the rosters, with younger talent there to help them out. In Captain Kopi’s final year, you won’t want to miss him facing off against 87 and 71 for the Pens.
Oilers @ Islanders - Battle of #1 overall picks
Connor McDavid (#1 overall 2015) and the Oilers will travel to Long Island to battle Matthew Schaeffer (#1 overall 2025) and the New York Islanders.
Honorable mention:
Panthers @ Devils
Jets @ Flyers
Friday 10/17
Lightning @ Red Wings - Battle of the Atlantic
On Friday night we will be treated to a game between two franchises looking to get back to their glory days. The Lightning would like to return to the Stanley Cup for the first time since 2022 on the back of star forward Nikita Kucherov as Dylan Larkin looks to captain the Red Wings to the playoffs to end their nine year drought.
Sharks @ Mammoth - Up and coming
Two teams on the come up. The Sharks and Mammoth are worth the watch in this Friday night matchup. Macklin Celebrini (Sharks) and Dylan Gunther (Mammoth) are key players to watch as these teams look to have a stronger season than last year.
Saturday 10/18
Hurricanes @ Kings - Playoff staples
In the past few years, you could almost guarantee that these two teams would make the playoffs. Seth Jarvis (Hurricanes) scored the game winning goal in both of Carolina’s first two games, and Adrian Kempe (Kings) is one of the best two way forwards in the National League.
Penguins @ Sharks - Old guard vs New guard game of the week
Sidney Crosby (Penguins) and Evegeni Malkin (Penguins) have been doing it in the NHL since Will Smith (Sharks) and Macklin Celebrini (Sharks) were born. As the penguins visit the Sharks on Saturday, the kids will look to steal one from their childhood heroes.
Honorable mention:
Bruins @ Avalanche
Flames @ Golden Knights
Sunday 10/19
Ducks @ Blackhawks - Battle of the Rebuild
Two teams who have been rebuilding in the last few years, but are in very different spots. The Anaheim Ducks look to be in the tail end of their rebuild as their promising young core has been impressive to start the year. The Blackhawks still have a ways to go, but have promising young talent in Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar.
Canucks @ Capitals - Sunday Matinee
Our first game of the day on Sunday will feature the Canucks led by Norris trophy (NHL’s best defender) candidate Quinn Hughes battling against the best scorer of all-time Alex Ovechkin and then Capitals. With two playoff hopefuls, this should be a game to watch.