The NHL is Halfway Home
When the buzzer sounded on Tampa’s 2-1 win over Ottawa on Saturday night — Game No. 615 of 1,230 on the regular-season schedule — the league officially moved into the second half. Here’s a look ahead at a few games worth watching before the regular season wraps up on April 10:
Jan. 23 — Philadelphia at Chicago: A rematch of last year’s Stanley Cup final kicks off NBC’s game of the week coverage. The teams have gone in different directions this season — Philly is near the top of the Eastern Conference while the Blackhawks are battling for a playoff spot in the West.
Feb. 6 — Pittsburgh at Washington: The Penguins and Capitals renew acquaintances for the first time since the Winter Classic. It will be a matinee game at Verizon Centre and an excellent prelude to the NFL’s Super Bowl.
Feb. 20 — Montreal at Calgary (at McMahon Stadium): The NHL goes outdoors in Canada for the first time since a bitterly cold evening at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium in 2003. Calgary is known for its fickle weather patterns, so meteorologists will receive as much attention as the Habs and Flames ahead of this one.
March 10 — Montreal at St. Louis: The Canadiens face Jaroslav Halak for the first time since the popular goaltender was traded away in the summer.
April 10 — Dallas at Minnesota: Of the five games taking place on the final day of the regular season, this one appears to be the most likely to have an impact on the playoffs. It will also be the last game played before the post-season begins on April 13.