NHL Looking Ahead: 5 Best Nationally Televised Matchups of 2014-15′
Jun 16, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of Los Angeles Kings rally to celebrate winning the 2014 Stanley Cup at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The new NHL season is quickly approaching, with every teams 82 game schedule announced last month. Now, national television corporation NBC has followed suit by announcing their full slate of broadcasts for this upcoming year.
Some are no-brainers, as it’s customary to feature the previous seasons champion raising their Stanley Cup banner to the rafters, while others make you scratch your head. For example, why would two teams that did almost nothing during free agency and the draft, not to mention got bounced out of the playoffs fairly early in the Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins, be the ones chosen to kick off NBC’s broadcasts?
Whatever the reason, I don’t have any veto power so there’s no point in questioning the decisions that were ultimately made. Instead, I’ll use this slideshow to give you the five best nationally televised games of the season ahead. Keep in mind this is solely my opinion, and you do not have to agree. If you have a differing opinion, feel free to leave it in the comment section below.
Until then, sit back, relax and happy reading!
Apr 30, 2014; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks goalie Antti Niemi (31) congratulates Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) after game seven of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose. The Kings defeated the Sharks 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
San Jose Sharks @ Los Angeles Kings, Oct. 8:
The 2014-15′ NHL season kicks off with a doubleheader, though the most enticing game begins at 10pm EST inside Los Angeles’ Staples Center.
Pitting the state rival, San Jose Sharks, against the team whose championship run got underway with a thrilling comeback from trailing three games to one should make for an intense matchup sure to leave fans on the edge of their seats.
Adding to the excitement, the Kings will be raising their second Stanley Cup banner in two years commemorating this past seasons championship.
Meanwhile, the Sharks want nothing more than to spoil their rivals special night by erasing the memories of their 2014 playoff choke and also ensuring the season ahead ends better than the one left behind.
Really, can you get any better than this?
Jun 13, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New York Rangers center Brian Boyle (22) and Los Angeles Kings center Trevor Lewis (22) shake hands after the second overtime period in game five of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Kings @ New York Rangers, March 24:
With the season winding to a close, fans get a treat by watching the 2014 Stanley Cup finalists battle it out at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Both teams will look a bit different, however, as the Rangers bought out alternate captain Brad Richards and lost Brian Boyle, Anton Stralman among others to free agency. The Kings, however, lost only Willie Mitchell to free agency, but managed to keep much of their key pieces together for a potential repeat.
Another intriguing matchup will come in net. Henrik Lundqvist looks to bounce back from a subpar Cup final performance, while Jonathan Quick wants to further cement himself as one of the NHL’s best netminders this century.
Oh, and this might just end up being a preview of things to come, depending upon where these teams are in the 2015 postseason picture. In or out of the postseason picture, this game’s definitely one to mark on your calendars.
Apr 11, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) prepares to make a save on Washington Capitals right wing Alex Ovechkin (8) in the second period at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Blackhawks @ Washington Capitals, Jan. 1:
2015 begins with a bang, as some of the NHL’s biggest stars battle it out on the big stage during the annual Winter Classic. No site has been determined right now, though there’s speculation of Nationals Park being in the mix.
More from NHL News
- Should the NHL make referees give postgame interviews?
- Why Carolina Hurricanes fans should be excited for the 2023-24 season
- Why any NHL team would be lucky to add Phil Kessel to their roster
- The New Original Six Teams of the PWHL has been revealed
- The Top 5 Centers in the NHL Today Might Not Be Who You Think
Intrigue is going to surround this game, especially considering three of the league’s top players will be on display. For the Capitals, there’s Russian goal scoring phenom Alexander Ovechkin, while the Hawks boast the dynamic duo of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.
Netminding provides a different kind of storyline, with youngster Braden Holtby likely to start for the Capitals and veteran Corey Crawford expected to get the nod from Hawks coach Joel Quenneville.
Who will prevail? Though unknown, it’s fairly certain this game will be a high-scoring affair worth watching.
Mar 10, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Jeff Zatkoff (37) prepares to make a save on Washington Capitals right wing Alex Ovechkin (8) in the second period at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Capitals @ Pittsburgh Penguins, Dec. 27:
It may be taking place two days after Christmas, but let me tell you neither of these teams will be in the giving spirit. Quite the opposite actually. Both of these teams hate one another, more so after former Capitals center David Steckel concussed Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby during the 2011 Winter Classic.
That being said, there’s plenty of other storylines surrounding this game. For example, two of the league’s elite players in Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin and Crosby going toe-to-toe with each other in hopes of helping their team get an edge in the Metropolitan Division and Eastern Conference standings.
Another twist comes about this season, as former Penguins Matt Niskanen and Brooks Orpik signed multi-year deals with the Capitals on July 1st. Now how much do you think those two want to burn their former team? A large amount I’m guessing, which just adds to the number of reasons this is a game worth watching.
Mar 8, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) skates with the puck as Boston Bruins center Chris Kelly (23) defends during the first period at Tampa Bay Times Forum. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Boston Bruins @ Tampa Bay Lightning, April 11:
Steven Stamkos faces the team that’s produced some of his worst nightmares. His Tampa Bay Lightning teammates haven’t fared much better during the regular season either, losing eight straight games against the Boston Bruins dating back to 2012.
These are just a few of the storylines this game represents. Atlantic Division supremacy and home ice for at least the first two rounds could also be decided in this all-important final regular season contest. Will the Bruins extend their dominance, or could the Lightning emerge as odds-on favorites to win it all?
You have two of the three 2014 Vezina Trophy finalists, Ben Bishop and Tuukka Rask, battling one another as well. Rask took home the hardware, thanks largely to his top five ranking in each of the four major categories (shutouts, wins, save percentage and goals-against average), but Bishop will be looking to finish strong after having his breakout 2013-14′ campaign cut short because of an unfortunate injury that cost him the final three regular season games and the teams first round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens.
An intense seven game playoff series between these two back in 2011, plus the unfortunate injury to Stamkos last November, only adds fuel to this new rivalry. One that looks to continue growing in the years to come.