EHEC Game Previews 11/28

[Virtual Jarmo]

Following an exciting EHEC Friday night with several hard fought matchups, numerous teams play the back end of a back-to-back on a packed Saturday schedule. It's college football's rivalry week and some EHEC rivalries are on tap for the final Saturday of the month. After a week with several cross-conference matchups, the travel schedules calm down a little bit for the Eastern half of North America while the Western half hosts a handful of late contests. With the post-Thanksgiving hangover behind all 30 EHEC teams, 26 of the squads lace up their skates for battle on the 28th.

Ottawa (12-9-2-0) @ Boston (16-8-1-0)

On November 11, these two Northeast rivals completed a trade sending disgruntled center Marc Savard north of the border and sending Carrie Underwood's boyfriend Mike Fisher to Boston. Both teams have had mixed results since the trade and both players have had mixed results as well. Savard has eight points in eight games and had been leading the re-emergence of Ottawa's power play until it ran in to an 0-for-9 skid. Fisher, on the other hand, has just one point in eight games.

The Bruins penalty kill may be just what the doctor ordered for the Sens, as they sport a league-worst 70.3% efficiency on the kill. The Sens, however, will be without Jonathan Cheechoo. Cheechoo was injured in Wednesday night's game against New Jersey. Both teams have already circled their December 18 rematch and Steve Staios will need to keep his head on a swivel. While one team battles an injury, the other team battles a cavalcade of struggling players. Several of the key depth guys for Boston are in a funk and it has affected the team as a whole, especially during a three-game losing streak that was snapped last night in a 2-1 win over the rebuilding Devils.

New York Rangers (11-9-2-3) @ Pittsburgh (14-12-0-0)

Newly appointed GM Matt Bernier will get another chance at his first win in the Atlantic Division when Broadway comes to town. After an impressive 4-0 win in Bernier's first game, the team laid an egg against the Islanders with a 3-1 loss where Marc-Andre Fleury made just 14 saves. After slowing down the hot Columbus Blue Jackets, the Rangers have produced back-to-back one goal losses to Southeast opponents Florida and Tampa Bay.

Tonight's game features two premier hockey markets and two teams likely to be playing into the month of May. The Rangers lost a 4-3 slugfest to the Penguins back in their season opener and they're looking for retribution tonight. Look for GM Pat Webber to leave before overtime if there is any, as the Rangers have lost five games in the month of November after the 60-minute buzzer has left the game undecided.

Edmonton (15-7-2-2) @ Vancouver (14-9-0-1)

Sticking with the divisional matchup theme, two great white Northwest teams meet tonight in the home of the 2010 Olympics. The Oilers continue to surprise all the pundits, and following last night's win over San Jose, the Oilers took over sole possession of the Western Conference points lead. The Oilers have allowed a league-best 51 goals this season in 26 games.

The Canucks have won two straight after having an up and down stretch in early November. Roberto Luongo has played in every game for the Canucks thus far, leading some to wonder if he will start to get fatigued as the snow starts to fly. Vancouver is desperate for some scoring from its leaders as Daniel Sedin has gone six games without lighting the lamp and Brendan Morrow has gone a staggering 15 games without a goal. Henrik Sedin snapped a six-game goalless drought against the Kings on Wednesday night.

In other games, fire is on tap tonight in the capital of Ohio where the red hot Blue Jackets will look to continue to douse the Flames who have lost 5 of 6. Buffalo hosts Carolina in a battle of potential starting Olympic netminders Cam Ward and Ryan Miller. Northwest division foes Colorado and Minnesota finish a home-and-home in Denver.

[Commish Bub(NYR)]

Anybody have a 60 OA guy with a 90 shot who I can roll out during shootouts?

[Penguin]

Good stuff! But, I'm not feeling it tonight. Orpik and McKee are on the touch for another 2 weeks.

[Bruins]

I think the bird flu has stricken the Bruins locker room, only legitimate explanation.

[Parker]

Anybody have a 60 OA guy with a 90 shot who I can roll out during shootouts?

Want Petr Prucha?

[Commish Bub(NYR)]

Anybody have a 60 OA guy with a 90 shot who I can roll out during shootouts?

Want Petr Prucha?

No, but Enver Lisin is looking better all the time.