NHL Grind Down: Thursday, November 19th - Page Two

by Tom Woollam (elctrceye) Last Updated 2015-11-19 16:11:11

Anaheim Ducks at Florida Panthers – 07:30 PM EST

Anaheim Ducks					Florida Panthers
			Frederik Andersen					Roberto Luongo
			Record					Record
			6-9-4					8-7-3
Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Team Stats	1.79	2.53	14.30%	89.80%	Team Stats	2.67	2.44	22.20%	76.30%

The Anaheim Ducks continue their four-game road trip after beating Carolina on Monday and losing to Nashville on Tuesday. That’s a tough task to beat the Predators on the back end of a two game stint, so we will give them a pass for that one. It’s the prior three losses that may cause some concern as they lost three straight home games to Edmonton, Arizona and the New York Islanders. The problem is that the Ducks have become a one line team and although some may say the second line of Ryan Kesler, Chris Stewart and Nick Ritchie is ok, I beg to differ as Kesler and Stewart have four goals between them. If the Ducks score I’d look to the first line to be doing it.

Backed by the strong play of goaltender Roberto Luongo, the Florida Panthers have been able to win three of their last four games with the only blemish being a 3-2 loss at home against the Buffalo Sabres last Thursday night. The Panthers are a strong 5-3-1 at home so look for a tough hard fought battle as I don’t see too much scoring in this one.

Elite Plays

Ana: Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf
Fla: None

Secondary Plays

Ana: Sami Vatanen
Fla: Jaromir Jagr, Aleksander Barkov, Nick Bjugstad, Jonathan Huberdeau, Aaron Ekblad

Columbus Blue Jackets at Ottawa Senators – 07:30 PM EST

Columbus Blue Jackets					Ottawa Senators
			Sergei Bobrovsky					Craig Anderson
			Record					Record
			7-12-0					8-5-5
Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Team Stats	2.53	3.32	21.40%	80.00%	Team Stats	2.83	3.00	21.80%	74.60%

John Tortorella is starting to work his magic again and this time it’s with the Columbus Blue Jackets. His quick fast paced practices have not only kept Columbus on their toes, it also has made for some amusing altercations as both Fedor Tyutin and Ryan Johansen had a ‘little shoving match’ after practice yesterday. After a horrid start, the Jackets have come alive as they are 6-4 in their last ten games. They must keep digging though as their bad start still has them in last place in the Metropolitan division. Both teams give up a lot of penalties and goals, so expect some scoring in this one.

Ottawa comes into this game fresh off consecutive home losses to the Rangers and the Red Wings and while they sit in second place in the Atlantic division, their 3-3-4 home record is nothing to get excited about. As I alluded to above, the Senators have been taking a few penalties so far, 74 to be exact, while the Jackets have taken 84 minor penalties. Just that alone makes me think this could be a 5-3 game.

Elite Plays

Ott: Erik Karlsson
Clb: Ryan Johansen

Secondary Plays

Ott: Bobby Ryan, Kyle Turris, Mika Zibanejad, Mike Hoffman
Clb: Brandon Saad, Boone Jenner, Jack Johnson

New York Rangers at Tampa Bay Lightning – 07:30 PM EST

New York Rangers					Tampa Bay Lightning
			Henrik Lundqvist					Ben Bishop
			Record					Record
			14-2-2					8-9-3
Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Team Stats	3.11	1.72	18.60%	86.40%	Team Stats	2.30	2.35	17.70%	80.30%

The New York Rangers travel to Tampa tonight to put their nine-game winning streak on the line. This game appears to be a bit lopsided as the Rangers are the class of the Eastern conference with a record of 14-2-2 while the Lightning seem to mired in futility as they have gone 3-6-1 in their last 10 games. The Rangers will stick with what’s been working for them so far this season, so taking a look at Derek Stepan tonight may not be a bad idea as he skates second line but first power play.

Tampa Bay is one of those teams that you know has some talent but as far as this season goes, it hasn’t materialized as yet. Their 8-9-1 record is tied for eighth in the conference and after losing to teams like Buffalo, Minnesota and Florida (twice) in their last 5 games, it’s going to be tough to trust them tonight against the Rangers. To make matters worse Tyler Johnson, Ryan Callahan, Ondrej Palat, Cedric Paquette and Jonathan Drouin did not practice yesterday and as reported by @erlendssonTBO, all seem to be very doubtful for tonight’s game.

Elite Plays

NYR: None
TB: Steven Stamkos

Secondary Plays

NYR: Derek Stepan, Derick Brassard, Mats Zuccarello, Rick Nash, Ryan McDonagh, Chris Kreider
TB: Nikita Kucherov, Anton Stralman, Vladislav Namestnikov

Buffalo Sabres at St. Louis Blues – 08:00 PM EST

Buffalo Sabres					St. Louis Blues
			Robin Lehner
			Record					Record
			8-9-1					12-6-1
Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%	Stats	GF/GP	GA/GP	PP%	PK%
Team Stats	2.22	2.72	24.10%	75.50%	Team Stats	2.68	2.42	15.40%	85.10%

The Buffalo Sabres come into this game on a two-game losing streak, dropping games to both San Jose and Dallas on home ice. Tonight they travel to St Louis to take on the Blues who make a tough opponent as they are 5-2-1 at home. Buffalo isn’t too shabby either as their road record is a respectable 4-3. Although Dan Bylsma has the Sabres playing better, it will be a tough task to beat the Blues on their home ice.

Jori Lehtera and Colton Parayko are both game time decisions for tonight’s game as the Blues were already shorthanded thanks to injuries to Paul Stastny and Jaden Schwartz. Yet the Blues carry on as head coach Ken Hitchcock is surprising us all by lasting more than his normal four years over his last three coaching jobs. St Louis dropped their last game in Columbus, which was their second game in two nights and they were clearly tired but evidence of being outshot by a total of 38-20. I like the Blues to continue their winning ways but this one may be closer than we think.

Elite Plays

Buff: None
STL: Vladimir Tarasenko

Secondary Plays

Buff: Ryan O’Reilly, Jack Eichel, Tyler Ennis, Rasmus Ristolainen
STL: David Backes, Kevin Shattenkirk, Alexander Steen

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