A Look Ahead to the Weekend...

Pekka Rinne's 31 save shutout helps Nashville stay in 7th in the West while further hurting Anaheim's playoff hopes

By Adam Bernard

FRIDAY RESULTS
Devils 3 - Penguins 1
Lightning 3 - Capitals 2
Wild 3 - Sabres 2
Rangers 5 - Thrashers 2
Kings 2 - Stars 1 (SO)
Predators 1 - Ducks 0

SATURDAY:

Chicago @ Philadelphia - 1PM
This should be a fast paced, physical match-up as the Hawks continue their road trip and will try and rebound from an OT loss to the Kings. Philly is looking to bounce back from a bad 5-1 loss to Boston. Can we make a trophy for this game and call it the Mike Keenan Cup?

Buffalo @ Detroit - 7PM
This should be a low-scoring/grind it out game between two teams that are very close geographically. The Wings are coming off a 5-1 trouncing of the Wild while the Sabres lost to Wild 3-2 at home last night, although it was Patrick Lalime in net for Buffalo, not all-world goalie Ryan Miller.

Ottawa @ Vancouver - 10PM
This game matches two north-of-the-border teams that play similar styles. Ottawa is coming off a 2-0 shutout to Calgary as they continue their Western Canada road trip while the Canucks are looking to rebound from a 4-3 shootout loss to Phoenix on Wednesday. An Ottawa win with a Buffalo loss puts Ottawa in the Norhteast Division lead again

OTHER GAMES
Panthers @ Sharks - 4PM
Coyotes @ Hurricanes - 7PM
Bruins @ Canadiens - 7PM
Devils @ Islanders 7PM
Oilers @ Maple Leafs - 7PM
Blues @ Blue Jackets - 7PM

SUNDAY:

Washington @ Chicago - 12:30PM
NBC picked wisely for it's Sunday afternoon hockey game. This could very well be a Stanley Cup Finals preview. Both teams are fast, can score in bunches, and have questionable goaltending. Washington is coming off a 3-2 loss to Tampa Bay while the Blackhawks will be coming off a tough game in Philly on Saturday. Everything points to this being a high-scoring game and will be a fun one to watch.

Philadelphia @ NY Rangers - 3PM
Anytime these two teams meet, it's a fun and physical affair (I will be attending this game). The Rangers currently trail the 6th place Flyers in the standings by 7 points and are 5 points behind 8th place Boston. The Blueshirts got crucial win over Atlanta on the road to distance themselves from 10th place. For Philly, they will be heading to MSG after a rough and tough battle with the Blackhawks. The Flyers lead the season series 2-1.

Calgary @ Vancouver - 10PM
This is a classic Northwest Division battle between two Rivals. For Vancouver, they'll be looking to distance their division lead over Colorado and will be coming off a home game against Ottawa the night before. For Calgary, they'll be looking to hold on to the 8th spot in the West and stay ahead of the Red Wings. Calgary is 3-1 so far in the season series while Vancouver is 1-2-1

OTHER GAMES:
Predators @ Kings - 3PM
Avalanche @ Stars 3PM
Maple Leafs @ Islanders - 5PM
Penguins @ Lightining - 5PM
Coyotes @ Thrashers - 5PM
Blues @ Wild - 6PM
Sharks @ Ducks - 8PM