NHL Schedule: Nationally televised games this week
Welcome to Top Shelf TV, a preview of the week’s national NHL schedule and television listings. We comb through the schedule on NBC, NBCSN, and NHL Network to tell you which games are worth your time and which ones to skip.
My name is Thomas Joseph (My friends call me T.J. You are probably not my friend, and you will probably call me that in the comments anyway). I’m thrilled to join the team here at Puck Prose. If all goes according to plan, this will be a regular column previewing the NHL schedule for national broadcasts.
We’re not worried about my rooting interests. You will pick up on those soon enough. We’re not worried about which games impact the playoff race – although that will factor in late in the season.
Also, we’re not writing off teams that are terrible. Let’s say the Dallas Stars fail to contend again. A high octane offense and a questionable blue line should still make for some exciting matchups (even in March). Maybe not for Stars fans, but for huge hockey fans? Absolutely.
Should East Coast viewers stay up for a doubleheader? Are Friday night NHL Network matchups are worth putting off your weekend for? Is the Wednesday Night Rivalry game actually a rivalry? Let’s take a look.
Monday
https://twitter.com/NHL/status/916140968239345665
Chicago Blackhawks at Toronto Maple Leafs (7:00 p.m. ET/ 4:00 p.m. PT on NHL Network)
Why you should watch: An Original Six matchup between 2017 playoff teams. Both are undefeated early in the season and boast tons of firepower. The young guns in Toronto are off to a hot start. They added a veteran spark with the acquisition of Patrick Marleau this summer.
Meanwhile, the Blackhawks are riding a wave of offensive production. Despite a questionable blue line, the made some offensive additions of their own in the offseason. The return of Brandon Saad has been nothing short of spectacular. In his second go with the Blackhawks, Saad has contributed to five of Chicago’s 15 goals this season.
Skip it if: You’re bothered by questionable blue lines. In Chicago, Brent Seabrook has had a bizarre decline, and Duncan Keith can’t live forever. The Leafs added veteran Ron Hainsey in the offseason, and the front office has a lot of trust in their young defensemen going forward. Fans are ultimately waiting for Drew Doughty to arrive once his contract runs out in Los Angeles.
Verdict: Must watch. There should be goals galore in this one and two of the best head coaches in the business (Mike Babcock and Joel Quenneville) will have a battle of the wits. This game should be a good measuring stick for both teams.