Welcome to another installment of 'The Week Ahead', a weekly feature here at RLD where I advise you puckheads which players, teams and games to keep your eyes on this week.
This week, there are two themes: players that are not getting the attention they deserve and teams that are getting the wrong kind of attention. So much has happened this past week in the NHL that you fine folks need to pay attention to the following players, teams and games this week.
Players to Keep an Eye On
As I mentioned above, this week I'd like to focus on players who are not getting the attention they deserve.
- Ryan Callahan, New York Rangers
He may not be the biggest guy and may not put up points like Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin or Steven Stamkos; but year in and year out, Rangers forward Ryan Callahan proves that he is a very valuable hockey player.
Callahan currently leads the Blueshirts in scoring with 11 points (4 goals and 7 assists). Last week he had goals in all three games the team played (5 points total). Coming up, he'll get a chance to put up points against the Blackhawks, Flyers, Devils and Blues in what will be a busy week for the Rangers.
- Brooks Laich, Washington Capitals
On a team that has the likes of Alex Ovechkin, Alex Semin, Nicklas Backstrom, Mike Green, and John Carlson, not enough attention gets paid to someone like Washington Capitals forward Brooks Laich.
In his team's first 11 games, he has three goals and three assists for 6 points. Sure, they're not sparkling numbers, but Laich does the little things of the game that matter well. He goes hard into the corner, goes to the net with the puck, and plays well on the defensive side of the puck.
This week, the Caps' will need those efforts against the Maple Leafs, Bruins and Flyers.
- Rene Bourque, Calgary Flames
The face of the Calgary Flames is Jarome Iginla, and with good reason. He's been everything to the franchise for over eight years.
However, one player that does not get the credit he deserves is forward Rene Bourque, proud member of the RLD All-Underrated Team. In nine games this season, Bourque has 9 points (6 goals and 3 assists) and is second to only Brendan Morrison (10 points) for the team lead.
This week, Bourque will need to bring his 'A'-game against the Red Wings and Wild.
Teams to Watch
This week, let's take a look at two teams who are getting negative attention: the New Jersey Devils and Calgary Flames.
- New Jersey Devils
It's safe to say that no one has seen a New Jersey Devils team like this in a long time. Through the team's first 12 games, the Devils are 3-8-1. They're allowing a lot of goals (39), not scoring enough goals (20), and have just been dreadful on home ice with an 0-4-1 record.
New head coach John MacLean needs to figure out a way to get his club back on track before team GM Lou Lamoriello decides to drop the vote of confidence and can MacLean.
The team will take on the Canucks, Blackhawks and Rangers this week.
- Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames, although 6-5 on the season, had an extremely tough week this past week with losses to the Colorado Avalanche and a drubbing at the hands of the Washington Capitals (7-2).
The loss to the Avs was a tough one to swallow considering how many leads they had, while the loss to Ovechkin and company was just plain awful.
This week, the Flames will take on the Red Wings and Wild. Miikka Kiprusoff will have to improve his play between the pipes.
Games to Watch
Here are some games that you puckheads may want to watch this week:
- Monday, November 1
New York Rangers vs. Chicago Blackhawks
New Jersey Devils vs. Vancouver Canucks
- Tuesday, November 2
Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
- Wednesday, November 3
Detroit Red Wings vs. Calgary Flames
- Thursday, November 4
San Jose Sharks vs. St. Louis Blues
Vancouver Canucks vs. Colorado Avalanche
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Los Angeles Kings
- Friday, November 5
New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils
Boston Bruins vs. Washington Capitals
- Saturday, November 6
Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens
Nashville Predators vs. Los Angeles Kings
Detroit Red Wings vs. Vancouver Canucks
- Sunday, November 7
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Washington Capitals
Photo credit: Getty Images
This week, there are two themes: players that are not getting the attention they deserve and teams that are getting the wrong kind of attention. So much has happened this past week in the NHL that you fine folks need to pay attention to the following players, teams and games this week.
Players to Keep an Eye On
As I mentioned above, this week I'd like to focus on players who are not getting the attention they deserve.
- Ryan Callahan, New York Rangers
He may not be the biggest guy and may not put up points like Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin or Steven Stamkos; but year in and year out, Rangers forward Ryan Callahan proves that he is a very valuable hockey player.
Callahan currently leads the Blueshirts in scoring with 11 points (4 goals and 7 assists). Last week he had goals in all three games the team played (5 points total). Coming up, he'll get a chance to put up points against the Blackhawks, Flyers, Devils and Blues in what will be a busy week for the Rangers.
- Brooks Laich, Washington Capitals
On a team that has the likes of Alex Ovechkin, Alex Semin, Nicklas Backstrom, Mike Green, and John Carlson, not enough attention gets paid to someone like Washington Capitals forward Brooks Laich.
In his team's first 11 games, he has three goals and three assists for 6 points. Sure, they're not sparkling numbers, but Laich does the little things of the game that matter well. He goes hard into the corner, goes to the net with the puck, and plays well on the defensive side of the puck.
This week, the Caps' will need those efforts against the Maple Leafs, Bruins and Flyers.
- Rene Bourque, Calgary Flames
The face of the Calgary Flames is Jarome Iginla, and with good reason. He's been everything to the franchise for over eight years.
However, one player that does not get the credit he deserves is forward Rene Bourque, proud member of the RLD All-Underrated Team. In nine games this season, Bourque has 9 points (6 goals and 3 assists) and is second to only Brendan Morrison (10 points) for the team lead.
This week, Bourque will need to bring his 'A'-game against the Red Wings and Wild.
Teams to Watch
This week, let's take a look at two teams who are getting negative attention: the New Jersey Devils and Calgary Flames.
- New Jersey Devils
It's safe to say that no one has seen a New Jersey Devils team like this in a long time. Through the team's first 12 games, the Devils are 3-8-1. They're allowing a lot of goals (39), not scoring enough goals (20), and have just been dreadful on home ice with an 0-4-1 record.
New head coach John MacLean needs to figure out a way to get his club back on track before team GM Lou Lamoriello decides to drop the vote of confidence and can MacLean.
The team will take on the Canucks, Blackhawks and Rangers this week.
- Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames, although 6-5 on the season, had an extremely tough week this past week with losses to the Colorado Avalanche and a drubbing at the hands of the Washington Capitals (7-2).
The loss to the Avs was a tough one to swallow considering how many leads they had, while the loss to Ovechkin and company was just plain awful.
This week, the Flames will take on the Red Wings and Wild. Miikka Kiprusoff will have to improve his play between the pipes.
Games to Watch
Here are some games that you puckheads may want to watch this week:
- Monday, November 1
New York Rangers vs. Chicago Blackhawks
New Jersey Devils vs. Vancouver Canucks
- Tuesday, November 2
Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
- Wednesday, November 3
Detroit Red Wings vs. Calgary Flames
- Thursday, November 4
San Jose Sharks vs. St. Louis Blues
Vancouver Canucks vs. Colorado Avalanche
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Los Angeles Kings
- Friday, November 5
New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils
Boston Bruins vs. Washington Capitals
- Saturday, November 6
Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens
Nashville Predators vs. Los Angeles Kings
Detroit Red Wings vs. Vancouver Canucks
- Sunday, November 7
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Washington Capitals
Photo credit: Getty Images
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