The Week Ahead

With the NHL All-Star weekend out of the way, it is time for both teams and players to start thinking about their push towards the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

In this week's installment of "The Week Ahead", I will take a look at three players and teams that need to do everything they possibly can to get into the playoffs come April. There is still a lot of hockey left to be played and as such, much to do to get in.

Players to Keep an Eye on
In this week's "Players to Keep an Eye on" section, we will take a look at three players who need to raise their game to another level if they want to help their clubs get into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

- Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres
It has not been the greatest season for Buffalo Sabres' goaltender Ryan Miller, last season's Vezina Trophy winner.

With that said, his play is starting to turn around as evidenced by his 21-14-4 record, 2.68 goals against average, .913 save percentage and three shutouts. His recent play has the Sabres just six points out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

This week, Miller and the Sabres will take on the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

- Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings
Back in the beginning of the season, the Los Angeles Kings were the toast of the NHL and one of the league's best team. Fast forward to now and the team is currently in the 11th spot in the Western Conference.

One player on the Kings who needs to step up his game is Anze Kopitar. Kopitar has had a terrific season so far with 49 points (16 goals and 33 assists) in 50 games but if he wants to help his team get into the playoffs, he'll need to be even better from now until April.

This week, Kopitar and the Kings will take on the Minnesota Wild, Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames.

- Tomas Vokoun, Florida Panthers
It seems like every single season, the Florida Panthers are always one of the team's on the playoff bubble.

One of the main reasons for that is the play of goaltender Tomas Vokoun and this season is no different. This season, Vokoun is 17-16-3 with a 2.51 goals against average, a .923 save percentage and five shutouts. The team will need to ride him if they want to have any chance of clinching a playoff berth.

This week, Vokoun and the Panthers will take on the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, and New Jersey Devils.

Teams to Watch
At this time of the season, it is never good to be a team on the outside looking in when it comes to a Stanley Cup Palyoff spot.

Let's take a look at two teams that find themselves in that position as we begin play after the All-Star break.

- Calgary Flames
Heading into the month of February, the Calgary Flames currently find themselves in 12th place in the Western Conference and two points out of the eighth and final spot.

In order to get into the playoffs come April, they will need guys like Jarome Iginla, Miikka Kiprusoff, Alex Tanguay, Olli Jokinen and Robyn Regehr to step up their games and do so on a consistent basis.

This week, the Flames will take on the Nashville Predators, Atlanta Thrashers, and the Los Angeles Kings.

- Carolina Hurricanes
It seems like every season, the Carolina Hurricanes write the same story. The team gets off to a slow start and then come Decemeber and January, they pick up their play and all of a sudden, are right back in the playoff picture.

This season is no different as the Hurricanes have 56 points, just one point behind the eighth place Atlanta Thrashers. The Hurricanes will need Eric Staal, Cam Ward, Jeff Skinner, and others to give their all in an effort to make the playoffs.

This week, the Hurricanes will take on the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs and the Atlanta Thrashers.

Games to Watch
Here are some games to help satisfy your hockey craving this week:

- Tuesday, February 1
Boston Bruins vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Rangers
Montreal Canadiens vs. Washington Capitals
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Los Angeles Kings vs. Minnesota Wild
Vancouver Canucks vs. Dallas Stars
Calgary Flames vs. Nashville Predators
- Wednesday, February 2
San Jose Sharks vs. Anaheim Ducks
- Thursday, Febraury 3
New Jersey Devils vs. New York Rangers
Nashville Predators vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Minnesota Wild vs. Colorado Avalanche
- Friday, February 4
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Detroit Red Wings
Washington Capitals vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Vancouver Canucks
- Saturday, February 5
San Jose Sharks vs. Boston Bruins
New York Rangers vs. Montreal Canadiens
Anaheim Ducks vs. Colorado Avalanche
Detroit Red Wings vs. Nashville Predators
Los Angeles Kings vs. Calgary Flames
- Sunday, February 6
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals
St. Louis Blues vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

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