Games of the Week

A real hockey fan would never miss these games

By Marnitz Kotze

   Pittsburgh Penguins  @   Boston Bruins

Monday March 17th
RDS, ROOT, NESN

After finally shaking off the Stanley Cup run hangover, the Bruins have finally started to play as the team they're built to be. That and Steven Stamkos broke himself, leaving room for the Bruins to slide into first, not only in the Atlantic Division but overall in the Eastern Conference. The Bruins, who have gone 7-1-2 in their last ten games, will face off against the Pens on Monday in what could be a preview of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Pens on the other hand, have been playing average hockey but in the Metro Division that's the equivalent of amazing hockey. The last meeting between the two teams saw the Penguins take it 3-2, but that was when Crosby was doing his best Alex Steen impression, or is it the other way around?

Either way, this game will be much closer, especially given the play of Tukka Rask, who has an impressive 1.62 GAA over 19 starts.

Prediction: Boston
This game will be very close and probably decided by only one goal. The Bruins play a tight defensive game and since Julien will have last change advantage, we will see a lot of the Chara vs Crosby matchup. Given that, and the play of Rask as of late, I am leaning towards Boston for this one.

 Toronto Maple Leafs @  Buffalo Sabres

Friday March 21st-7:30 ET
RDS, LEAFS TV, MSG-B

This year's most amusing rivalry has to go to the Leafs and Sabres. The best part about this all is that it comes at the hands of a guy who averages just over 6 minutes a game. If agitator pay rolls were performance based, John Scott's would rival that of Carlos Slim. In the first incident, he had Phil Kessel audition for the role of Paul Bunyan, simply by chasing him around the ice. The last game between these two left us with some choice words from Scott about Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf. "All of a sudden I'm not allowed to hit him any more. He's Princess Phaneuf. It's a joke" Now whether or not Phaneuf responds in game about this is yet to be seen, but alot will also
sit in the lap of Ted Nolan, the new coach, who really has the option here of how much he plays Scott.

Prediction: Toronto
This pick isn't based on a close rivalry, Toronto is clearly a better team. Unless Buffalo wears those hideous third jerseys, then ill pick them.......mmm, no I wont.

   Vancouver Canucks at  The New York Rangers

Saturday March 22 nd

SNET-P, FS-CR

So Alain Vigneault had his oppurtunity to return to Vancouver and show the Canucks faithful what they lost, which at the time was nothing because the Rangers were bad. Now, it's Tortorella's turn to return to Madison Square Garden, but this time the Rangers are playing much better and with 24 points sit third in the Metro Division. The Canucks on the other hand, have not played so well of late going 3-4-3 in their last ten, as the Pacific Division proves to be one of the toughest to stay in contention. Now, granted its been almost 20 years since the Rangers beat the Canucks in the Stanley Cup Finals, the fans have not forgotten, believe me I live in Vancouver. This being said, I hope they play Messier highlights in that series just to get the two teams going. The return of Tortorella though will be the main focus here as the fiery coach was dismissed after a disappointing season where the relationship between him and Richards was strained.

Prediction: New York Rangers

The Rangers are just over all playing much better hockey than the Canucks, who are still trying to find themselves as a team. 

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Marnitz Kotze likes rugby, longs walks on the beach, and he's a horrible dancer. Follow him on Twitter at @MarnitzKotze