This article is based off of Erika Towne’s original content on Fear The Fin. Please be sure to check out the great content they have over there.
Tonight marks a significant milestone for the NHL. An unprecedented lineup of 32 teams playing 16 games concurrently is set to unfold. This unique arrangement is a first for the NHL and is made feasible due to the extensive broadcasting capabilities of ESPN and its multiple channels. What sets this evening apart from a typical NHL Tuesday is the deliberate staggering of game start times, allowing enthusiasts the opportunity to sample moments from each match.
ESPN is set to spotlight three games in a triple-header on ESPN/ESPN+. The action kicks off with the Toronto Maple Leafs taking on the Washington Capitals, followed by the Boston Bruins facing off against the Chicago Blackhawks, and culminating with the Philadelphia Flyers challenging the Vegas Golden Knights. Given the matchups, it seems the league might be anticipating some decisive results.
For those not keen on catching every match, ESPN+ offers a concise one-hour overview of the games at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. This coverage transitions to ESPN 2 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The format is reminiscent of the NFL Red Zone, focusing on the highlights and bypassing the less eventful stretches of play.
Below are some intriguing narratives and an overview of tonight’s games. The complete Frozen Frenzy schedule is also available on the NHL’s official website.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Washington Capitals (6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT on ESPN/ESPN+)
Kindly refrain from sharing any more content featuring Ryan Reaves; I’ve reached my viewing limit. Aside from that, the face-off between Alex Ovechkin and Auston Matthews promises to be captivating.
While the NHL’s scheduling team might have anticipated Ovechkin progressing towards Wayne Gretzky’s scoring milestone, he’s yet to find the net in the season’s initial four matches. The real spectacle tonight would be witnessing Ovechkin break his goal drought.
On the other hand, Matthews’ scoring spree has tapered off following his consecutive hat tricks, with no goals in his last three outings. However, netting six goals in five games is still commendable, especially for the recipient of the 2021-22 Rocket Richard Trophy.
Follow the game thread over on JapersRink.com
Anaheim Ducks at Columbus Blue Jackets (8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT on BSSC, BSOH, BSSD)
Move aside, Connor Bedard, and let’s focus on the face-off between the 2023 NHL draft’s second overall pick, Leo Carlsson, and its third pick, Adam Fantilli.
Both rookies have already marked their NHL careers with their first goals. Carlsson netted his during a 3-2 defeat to the Dallas Stars on Oct. 19, while Fantilli found the back of the net on Oct. 21, contributing to the Blue Jackets’ 5-4 overtime victory against the Minnesota Wild.
Contrary to what some might assume, there’s no animosity here. As Fantilli shared with the Columbus Dispatch, he and Carlsson formed a connection during the draft, spending time with Bedard and the San Jose Sharks’ pick, Will Smith.
Buffalo Sabres at Ottawa Senators (6:45 p.m. ET/3:45 p.m. PT on MSG-B)
The Sabres were among the two teams in action last night. They faced a formidable challenge in Montreal Canadiens’ goalie Jake Allen, who pulled off 36 saves, leading the Canadiens to a 3-1 victory over the Sabres. With that recent setback, Buffalo might be seeking redemption in their upcoming match against the Senators.
Buffalo’s Rasmus Dahlin enters tonight’s game on the back of a five-game point streak, while Dylan Cozens is close behind with points in his last four games.
On the other hand, the Senators showcase a blend of tenacity and talent, particularly in Brady Tkachuk, who’s already netted four goals this season. Speaking of consistency, defenseman Jake Sanderson is looking to extend his four-game point streak in the upcoming match.
Carolina Hurricanes at Tampa Bay Lightning (7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on BSSUN, BSSO)
The prevailing narrative for the Carolina Hurricanes revolves around player injuries. Andrei Svechnikov has progressed from his recovery, no longer donning the yellow non-contact jersey after undergoing surgery for a torn ACL. However, the Hurricanes have announced he won’t be participating in tonight’s game. Sebastian Aho, sidelined for the past three matches due to an upper-body injury, might make a comeback tonight. Meanwhile, defenseman Brett Pesce is confirmed to be out for tonight’s match because of a lower-body injury.
Turning to the Lightning, the central concern is if the team’s offense can compensate for its goaltending. With primary goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy recuperating from a lumbar disc herniation surgery, Jonas Johansson has taken the helm. Over five matches, Johansson holds a 2-1-2 record, conceding an average of 3.58 goals per game.
New Jersey Devils at Montreal Canadiens (7:15 p.m. ET/4:15 p.m. PT on MSGSN2)
After inking a substantial eight-year deal worth $70 million, Timo Meier is still searching for his scoring touch, having registered only two points in four outings. While this might raise eyebrows among Devils enthusiasts, there’s no cause for alarm. The team boasts other standout players like Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt, who are on impressive scoring runs. Hughes has accumulated ten points in four matches, inclusive of four goals, and Bratt trails just slightly with eight points from the same number of games.
On the other hand, Montreal also had a game last night. The Canadiens face a goaltending decision between Jake Allen and Sam Montembeault. Allen delivered a stellar performance against the Sabres, deflecting 36 out of 37 shots, but the tight schedule might see Montembeault taking the crease.
Scoring for the Canadiens has been a collective effort. Tanner Pearson, Cole Caufield, and Sean Monahan each have contributed five points over five games.
Dallas Stars at Pittsburgh Penguins (7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT on BSSW, SN-PIT)
Joe Pavelski remains a cherished figure for both Sharks and Dallas enthusiasts. The veteran player, at 39, netted his 452nd career goal on October 21, sealing the victory against the Philadelphia Flyers. This achievement places Pavelski sixth on the list of all-time goal scorers among U.S.-born players.
Over in Pittsburgh, it’s not the usual suspect, Sidney Crosby, leading the scoring charts, but rather Evgeni Malkin. Malkin boasts eight points from five matches, overshadowing Crosby’s still impressive (tongue-in-cheek) tally of five points in the same span.
Additionally, the Erik Karlsson venture persists in Pittsburgh. Although Karlsson’s performance isn’t lackluster, tallying four points, the team has opted to separate him from Kris Letang during power plays. This is a strategy Sharks aficionados might have seen coming.
San Jose Sharks at Florida Panthers (7:45 p.m. ET/4:45 p.m. PT on NBCSCA, BSFL)
Turning our attention to the Sharks, they’re gearing up for the second destination on their inaugural road trip of the season, set in Sunrise, Florida. The Sharks are yet to secure their first victory, making them the sole NHL team still in pursuit of a win. This matchup signifies Anthony Duclair’s comeback to Florida, having spent three seasons with the Panthers before transitioning to the Sharks this past summer.
On the Panthers’ side, their start to the season hasn’t quite met expectations, reflecting a 2-3-0 record. Their latest setback was against the visiting Vancouver Canucks this past Saturday. Sam Reinhart stands out for the Panthers, accumulating eight points in five matches, six of which are goals. Meanwhile, Matthew Tkachuk is on the hunt for his inaugural goal of the season.
Colorado Avalanche at New York Islanders (8 p.m. PT/5 p.m. PT on ALT, MSGSN)
The Colorado Avalanche have made a resounding statement in the league. Despite the absence of Gabriel Landeskog, they boast an impeccable 5-0-0 record. Mikko Rantanen is at the forefront with eight points, closely followed by Nathan MacKinnon, Artturi Lehkonen, and Cale Makar, each contributing six points from five matches.
On the other hand, the Islanders are also on a winning trajectory, though not as dominant as the Avalanche. With a 2-1-1 record, they recently faced a 3-1 setback against the Buffalo Sabres. Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri are the team’s top performers, each tallying four points from four games. The Islanders’ strength lies between the posts, with Ilya Sorokin and Semyon Varlamov delivering commendable performances, reflected in their .914 and .929 save percentages, respectively.
Something else to keep an eye on is Logan O’Connor and his chance to make history.
Seattle Kraken at Detroit Red Wings (8:15 p.m. ET/5:15 p.m. PT on BSDET, ROOT-NW)
The Kraken have had a challenging beginning to their season, only securing their maiden victory in a 7-4 triumph over the Carolina Hurricanes on October 19. This was followed by a 4-1 defeat to the New York Rangers, leaving them with a 1-4-1 record. Seattle will miss the services of forward Andre Burakovsky for the upcoming six to eight weeks due to an upper-body injury that required a medical procedure. Vince Dunn, a defenseman, stands out as the Kraken’s top scorer, amassing five points in six matches.
Conversely, the Detroit Red Wings have hit the ground running with an impressive 5-1-0 record. They currently rank second in the competitive Atlantic Division, surpassing notable teams like the Maple Leafs, Lightning, Panthers, and Sabres. Their success can be credited to several factors aligning perfectly. Alex DeBrincat is leading the NHL scoreboard with 12 points, while Dylan Larkin is not far behind with 11. Given their average of nearly five goals per match and a formidable power play, the Red Wings present a formidable challenge for the Kraken.
Boston Bruins at Chicago Blackhawks (8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT on ESPN/ESPN+)
The Boston Bruins are currently dominating the Atlantic Division with an impeccable 5-0-0 record. In contrast, the Chicago Blackhawks find themselves at the lower end of the Central Division, holding a 2-4-0 record. David Pastrnak stands out for the Bruins, accumulating eight points in five matches, five of which are goals. Brad Marchand trails closely with seven points. It’s anticipated that Linus Ullmark, the recent Vezina Trophy recipient, will guard the net for Boston in the upcoming game.
Turning to the Blackhawks, the spotlight is on rookie Connor Bedard. However, he’ll be missing the support of Taylor Hall, who’s been sidelined due to a shoulder injury and is now on the IR list. In Hall’s absence, Bedard will be teamed up with Nick Foligno and Tyler Johnson.
St. Louis Blues at Winnipeg Jets (8:45 p.m. ET/5:45 p.m. PT on BSMW)
On October 21, the Blues secured a 4-2 victory against the Penguins, providing some relief to what seemed like increasing pressure on Head Coach Craig Berube. Currently, St. Louis holds the fifth position in the Central Division with a record of 2-1-1. However, their defeats, especially the 6-2 setback against the Arizona Coyotes on October 19, have been concerning for their supporters. The team’s standout players have had a lukewarm start, with Robert Thomas and Jakub Vrana both contributing three points. Brandon Saad leads in goals, having netted twice.
On the other hand, the Winnipeg Jets are riding high after a 3-2 overtime triumph against the Edmonton Oilers this past Saturday. Goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck was instrumental, deflecting 38 out of 40 shots, ensuring Winnipeg’s win. The decisive goal came from Mark Scheifele, who, along with Josh Morrissey, tops the team’s score sheet with six points from five games.
Edmonton Oilers at Minnesota Wild (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on BSN, BSWI)
The focal point for the Oilers tonight revolves around their performance in the absence of Connor McDavid. With a challenging start to the season, reflecting a 1-3-1 record, Edmonton faces another setback as McDavid is sidelined for 1-2 weeks due to an upper-body injury. On the brighter side, McDavid isn’t the team’s top scorer; that distinction belongs to Leon Draisaitl, who boasts nine points in five games, surpassing McDavid’s eight.
Edmonton is likely to lean on Evander Kane, though his season’s start has been underwhelming. With just a single point from five games and reduced playtime, Kane’s frustration was evident in his recent clash with the Jets’ Brenden Dillon. Post-game, Kane didn’t shy away from discussing the incident with the press.
Turning to the Wild, they’re recovering from a close 5-4 overtime defeat against the Columbus Blue Jackets this past Saturday. With a current record of 2-2-1, Joel Eriksson Ek and Mats Zuccarello are the standout performers, each with seven points. Goaltending duties have been shared between Marc-Andre Fleury and Filip Gustavsson.
Vancouver Canucks at Nashville Predators (9:15 p.m. ET/6:15 p.m. PT on BSSO)
Following a challenging season last year, the Canucks have rebounded and currently hold the second spot in the Pacific Division, right behind the Vegas Golden Knights. With a record of 3-2-0, Vancouver notably secured two victories against the Oilers, including a dominant 8-1 win on the season opener.
Vancouver’s success can be attributed to consistent scoring from their main players and commendable goaltending performances. Elias Pettersson has amassed ten points in just five games, while Brock Boeser tops the team’s goal tally with six. In the net, Thatcher Demko and Casey DeSmith have been reliable, boasting save percentages of .930% and .938%, respectively.
On Saturday, Nashville truly embodied the “Smashville” spirit, overpowering the Sharks with a 5-1 victory. In the early stages of this season, Nashville holds a 3-3-0 record. Filip Forsberg is the team’s top contributor with five points in six games, and four of his teammates have each added four points. Between the posts, Juuse Saros has been formidable, even securing a shutout.
New York Rangers at Calgary Flames (9:45 p.m. ET/6:45 p.m. PT on MSG)
Tonight, the Rangers are set to face the Flames in Calgary. Artemi Panarin stands out for the Rangers with seven points, and Chris Kreider has netted four goals in his last five appearances. Between the posts, Jonathan Quick has outperformed Igor Shesterkin, having secured a win in his sole start by deflecting 27 out of 28 shots.
Conversely, Calgary is on a mission to break their recent two-game skid. After a 3-1 defeat to the Blue Jackets on Friday, they suffered a 6-2 loss against the Red Wings on Sunday. Jacob Markstrom is anticipated to guard the Flames’ goal tonight. Elias Lindholm is the team’s top scorer with six points from six games, closely trailed by Andrew Mangiapane with five points.
Arizona Coyotes at Los Angeles Kings (10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT on BSW, SCRIPPS)
The Coyotes have emerged as one of the unexpected highlights this season. Holding a 3-2-0 record, they’re positioned third in the Central Division. As they gear up for their match in Los Angeles, they’re coming off back-to-back victories: a 2-1 triumph over the Ducks and a convincing 6-2 win against the Blues on October 19th. Both Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz are at the forefront for the Coyotes, each tallying six points.
Turning to the Los Angeles Kings, Anze Kopitar recently achieved a milestone, playing his 1,297th game as an LA King, a record he’s set to extend in the upcoming match. Kopitar remains a pivotal player for the Kings, securing five points in the last five games. Meanwhile, Kevin Fiala stands out with seven points, though he’s yet to find the back of the net this season.
Philadelphia Flyers at Vegas Golden Knights (11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT on ESPN/ESPN+)
Is Philadelphia’s performance indicative of their prowess? Judging by their standings, it seems so. The Flyers are currently at the helm of the Metropolitan Division, boasting a 3-1-1 record. Their latest game saw a narrow overtime defeat to the Dallas Stars with a 5-4 scoreline. Travis Konecny is the team’s top performer, accumulating seven points, five of which are goals. In the goaltending department, Carter Hart has been exceptional, registering a .929 save percentage over his last four games.
On the other hand, the Vegas Golden Knights are on a mission to maintain their winning momentum. As the reigning Stanley Cup Champions, they’ve kicked off the season with six consecutive victories, dispelling any notions of a post-championship slump. Chandler Stephenson is at the forefront with seven points, closely followed by Jack Eichel, William Karlsson, Mark Stone, and Shea Theodore, each contributing six points.
It’s worth noting that Alex Pietrangelo remains sidelined. His last appearance was cut short after a puck struck his face during the match against the Sharks on October 12.