NHL TV schedule: Kings, Flyers Monday match up highlights week
Welcome to Top Shelf TV, a preview of the week’s national NHL TV schedule. We comb through what’s airing on NBC, NBCSN, and NHL Network to tell you which games are worth your time and which ones to skip.
We’re not going to lie: it’s a rough schedule this week. There aren’t any clear must watch games on the national NHL TV schedule.
There are still tons of stars and some fun to be had though, so read on for our previews. The action starts tonight, so let’s hop to it!
Monday (Dec. 18)
Los Angeles Kings at Philadelphia Flyers (7 p.m. ET/ 4 p.m. PT on NHL Network)
The Good: Expect a knock-down, drag-out defensive game here. Lead by a resurgent Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles enters the week second in the NHL in 5-on-5 team save percentage. Although the American netminder has struggled in his last few starts, he’s no easy out.
The Flyers have been even better, entering tonight first in the NHL in 5-on-5 team save percentage. Brian Elliot has been a star of the week in each of the past two weeks.
Have you ever seen a Ghost fly? #DALvsPHI pic.twitter.com/KDlUxZfnlb
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) December 17, 2017
The Bad: The Flyers special teams are a mess. Despite quality goaltending at even strength, Flyers goalies are an abysmal .833 on the penalty kill.
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The Flyers are riding a six game win streak right now, but that comes on the heels of a 10 game losing streak. They remain in the Eastern Conference playoff picture due to increased parity in the Metro and the loser point; they took home five points from OT losses during that streak.
What we’re saying is: the loser point is bad and the NHL should feel bad.
The Kings are closing a four-game road swing tonight, and they’ve lost all three so far. Some would look at that as an opportunity to salvage some points. We look at that as tired legs ready to head back West.
The Verdict: Hard maybe. These are two potential playoff teams, but Philadelphia has been pretty streaky and the game is an early start on the West Coast.
Tuesday (Dec. 19)
Boston Bruins at Buffalo Sabres (7:30 p.m. ET/ 4:30 p.m. PT on NBCSN)
The Good: The Boston Bruins have rebounded from a rough start to the season to climb back into playoff position in the East. As always, they’re lead by high end skill players like center Patrice Bergeron and left wing Brad Marchand.
Marchand recorded his 400th career point against the Washington Capitals on Friday. It’s classic Boston Bruins, because it’s just fundamentally sound hockey. They space their power play efficiently, with Marchand patiently handling the puck along the goal line. He then fires it up to Bergeron in the low slot for a one-timer goal.
https://twitter.com/2Us2Ks2Points/status/941480642130448384
The Bad: The Sabres are so bad they can pull in a four-point performance – including a hat trick – from stud center Jack Eichel and still lose at home. At Puck Prose we’re at the point where we see another rebuild in their future, and we have some ideas.
The Verdict: Hard maybe. The Sabres are sucking our will to live at this point, but there’s something soothing about Marchand dishing out helpers.
Wednesday (Dec. 20)
Detroit Red Wings at Philadelphia Flyers (8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT on NBCSN)
The Good: Don’t look now, but Philadelphia’s Shayne Gostisbehere has 24 points in 29 games. After a rough sophomore campaign, the young blue liner is blossoming into a star. He scored both Flyers goals on Saturday night against the Stars at Wells Fargo Center.
Proud of you. #DALvsPHI pic.twitter.com/TjPvY6BbTY
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) December 17, 2017
The Bad: Let’s not pretend the Red Wings are a good team. Somehow they’re just four points out of a playoff spot, but they’ve lost 10 of their last 12.
Again, the loser point is bad. So, so bad.
The Verdict: Skip it. There’s a better Flyers match up on Monday, and it’s hard to watch Henrik Zetterberg go down with this ship.
Saturday (Dec. 23)
Toronto Maple Leafs at New York Rangers (7 p.m. ET/ 4 p.m. PT on NETWORK)
The Good: Our friends at Blue Line Station are proposing trades for Ottawa’s Erik Karlsson.
That would have sounded like a crazy, last-ditch effort in October. The New York Rangers picked up just 10 points in the first month of the season, Henrik Lundqvist looked like he needed to retire to whatever beach beautiful Swedes retire to, and Alain Vigneault… actually, they should still fire Alain Vigneault. That’s a story for another time.
Today, adding a superstar in the vein of Karlsson would send the Rangers from a solid playoff team to Cup contenders. Doesn’t sound so crazy now.
🚨 👀 it again!! Zucc’s OT Winner for #NYR! @EASPORTSNHL 🚨 https://t.co/2cvupwZFjY
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 17, 2017
The Bad: The Maple Leafs were supposed to take a step forward this season. Instead, they’ve been beset by injuries and sophomore slumps. Whether Mitch Marner scores has become as much a part of the Canadian discourse as Justin Trudeau’s Star Wars review.
The Verdict: Skip it.
What do you think, readers? Are we missing a great matchup? Let us know in the comments.