3 NHL games you need to watch this week
The playoff contenders are beginning to separate themselves from the lottery pick candidates in the third month of the season, leaving the week ahead full of important divisional contests and intriguing cross-conference battles.
Here are three games you can't miss this week:
Toronto Maple Leafs at Detroit Red Wings
Wednesday, 8 p.m. ET, NBCSN, TVA, Sportsnet
Toronto and Detroit are already very familiar with one another as they prepare to meet Wednesday for the fourth time in their five-game season series. The Red Wings took the opening two games, but the Maple Leafs responded with a 4-1 home victory on November 22 to even the series in terms of regulation scoring.
Toronto is charging up the Atlantic Division standings with points in six of its last seven games, while Detroit is 8-2-0 in its last 10 and challenging for the division lead. Stephen Weiss is coming alive for the Red Wings with five points in three games and Joffrey Lupul has seven points in his last four with Toronto since returning from injury.
New York Islanders at St. Louis Blues
Thursday, 8 p.m. ET, MSG-Plus, Fox Sports Midwest
The Islanders have a winning record against every division except the Central, where the Blues reside. St. Louis halted New York netminder Jaroslav Halak's 11-game winning streak on the road Saturday by putting six goals past him and will try to do the same thing at home Thursday.
Despite the setback, the Islanders have eight wins in their last 10 games and are locked in a battle for the Metropolitan Division lead, while the Blues are keeping pace atop the Central. Martin Brodeur earned his first victory with the Blues on Saturday and will probably be in net again Thursday with a chance to earn his 53rd career victory over the Islanders.
Los Angeles Kings at Montreal Canadiens
Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, KCOP-13, RDS, Sportsnet East
Hosting the defending Stanley Cup champion isn't typically a good way to snap out of a funk, but it might work for the Canadiens, who welcome the Kings on Friday. Montreal is slipping down the Atlantic Division with one win in its last seven games, but its next five contests are at home, where the team is 9-3-1.
Los Angeles has not traveled well thus far, going 3-4-4 on the road. The Kings begin a five-game road trip Tuesday and face the Canadiens after also playing Thursday, so the team could be tired by the time they reach the Bell Centre. A potential goaltending duel between Carey Price and Jonathan Quick is enough to make this game a must-watch.