WEEKLY TV Viewer Guide - Week of 3/14

Capitals LW Mike Knuble scores the game-winning OT goal against the Blackhawks on national TV on Sunday. The Caps will be featured twice more this week.

MONDAY - Sharks @ Blackhawks - 8PM - Versus

The week's national TV slate opens with a rematch of last year's Western Conference Finals. While the Blackhawks took care of business last year, Chicago is 0-2-1 in the three meetings with the Sharks so far this season. The Hawks have followed an eight game winning streak with a three game losing streak, but have earned a point in two of those three losses. San Jose has had a similar streak, going 9-1-2 in their last 12. San Jose sits in the Pacific Division lead and in 3rd in the West while the Blackhawks are in 7th but only a point out of 4th.

TUESDAY - Hurricanes @ Sabres - 7:30PM - Versus

These two teams are still battling it out for playoff positioning. This will be their 3rd of 4 meetings this season with Buffalo going 1-0-1 so far. The Hurricanes have lost four in a row and have only earned one point in that stretch while the Sabres are 7-2-2 in their last 11. Buffalo is playing like a team that's trying to consistently stay in the top 8 while Carolina is trying to regain their midwinter form. The Sabres sit in 7th in the East with 76 points while the 'Canes have 72 points and trail the 8th place Rangers by 4 points.

WEDNESDAY - Capitals @ Red Wings - 7:30PM - Versus

Talk about a clash of two titans. Both teams have 90 points, both are in 2nd place in their respective conferences, and both seem to pulling away in their respective divisions. The Caps have won 8 in a row and 11 of 14. Detroit has won two in a row after losing four in a row. This will be their only meeting of the season. 

THURSDAY - NO GAME

FRIDAY - Capitals @ Devils - 7PM - NHL Network 
For the 2nd time this week we get a chance to see Ovechkin and the Capitals. While the Caps are the hottest team in the NHL right now, they are playing one of the hottest teams in the league since mid-January. The Devils are still clutching on to the slim hope of sneaking in the playoffs, but every point counts now. This is their last meeting of the season with the first three coming very early in the year. Washington took the two games in DC by a combined score of 12-3 while the Devils won the won meeting at The Rock 5-0.

SATURDAY - Bruins @ Maple Leafs - 7PM - NHL Network

Games within the Northeast Division are always physical. While Toronto is still trying to chase the 8th spot in the East, time is running out and they need to go on a winning streak soon. The Leafs snapped a three game losing streak with a big win over Buffalo on Saturday night, but host Tampa Bay and travel to Carolina and Florida before this game. Boston has skidded a bit lately. Despite the great moves they made at the deadline, they are 2-2-2 since then. The rival Canadiens only trail by two points for the division lead. They have split their four match-ups so far with the last game in the season series coming later this month. 

SUNDAY - Rangers @ Penguins - 12:30PM - NBC
This one will be a big match-up for both teams. Despite losing Evgeni Malkin for the season and Sidney Crosby for a long time (he started skating today, but best case scenario is an early May return), they have hung on to the 4th spot in the East. With Philly slumping, the banged up Penguins only trail 1st place by three points and can still make a run at the top spot in the East.  After losing six of seven, the Pens have won three of four. The Rangers have won three of four after losing three in a row and are holding on to 8th in the East. The Blueshirts have taken three of the five meetings this season and this will be their last meeting.