New NHL season means new series of articles here at NHL.com/sv. One of these is “Before the Week”, the series where we go through next week’s stops and highlights in the National Hockey League. Of course with a little extra focus on the league’s blue-yellow stars and profiles.
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Below is our review of the coming week, October 18-24:
Matthews back in play – and Zibanejad is up against Nylander
He has been sidelined for the first three games of the season, but when the Toronto Maple Leafs host the New York Rangers on Tuesday night, 01.00 Swedish time, Auston Matthews included in the lineup again.
Video: Matthew’s highlights from 2021
The star has rehabilitated his wrist after an operation that was performed in August.
– I’m tagged, Matthews said after Sunday’s training. It’s not fun to sit next to and watch. The guys seem to be having fun out there so I really want to play. I have been patient and taken extra time to make sure I am really ready.
Matthew’s return means that he is reunited with Mitchell Marner in the first chain, while William Nylander accompanied by John Tavares in the second chain.
– He is tagged, we are tagged and the fans are tagged. He will drive full speed immediately, said Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe.
Just Nylander has started the season brilliantly and at the time of writing leads the internal points league of four points (2 + 2) after three matches. Against Rangers, however, he is up against the compatriot Mika Zibanejad, who also got off to a flying start to the season with three points (0 + 3) in three games. Two of our biggest Swedish NHL profiles against each other and Matthews back in the game? Ideal for a worthwhile match.
Pettersson and Ekman-Larsson vs. Dahlin and Olofsson
We also get Swedish profiles against each other the night before Wednesday, 01.00 Swedish time, when the Buffalo Sabers receive the Vancouver Canucks.
Buffalo have, somewhat surprisingly, won their first two games of the season as well Rasmus Dahlin as Victor Olofsson has played major roles in the team’s victories. Olofsson has scored a goal and an assist, while Dahlin accounted for an assist and averaged over 22 minutes in ice time per game.
Video: PHI-VAN: Pettersson’s shot bounces in via rim, Hart
In Vancouver, the first game week has not been as much of a sunshine story as in Buffalo. The Canucks have only won one of their three games during the season opener, however Elias Pettersson (1 + 1) and Oliver Ekman-Larsson (1 + 1) have pulled their respective straws to the stack.
Do not miss that battle.
Landeskog back in play
Colorado Avalanche team captain Gabriel Landeskog was suspended from two games for a tackle against the Chicago Blackhawks Kirby Dach in the season premiere between the teams.
Too bad for Avalanche; partly when Landeskog himself got a flying start to the season with two points in the premiere (1 + 1) but also when Avalanche is drawn with a series of injuries. Nathan MacKinnon has, for example, not yet made its season debut due to COVID-19.
The night before Friday, starting at 01.00 Swedish time, Landeskog is back when Avalanche visits the Florida Panthers.
NHL Saturday presented by SAP – Capitals vs. Flames
On Saturday, it’s time for this week’s match in the form of NHL Saturday presented by SAP. The match is broadcast on VSport Hockey and
Viaplay, with studio start at 6.30 pm and kicks off between the Washington Capitals and the Calgary Flames.
A Capitals with one Alex Ovechkin which got off to a flying start against a Flames there Elias Lindholm also he started the season strongly, at prime time on a Saturday night? Worth booking.
Home premiere for Kraken
Last but not least, the Seattle Kraken. The NHL’s 32nd and most recent team has already made its debut in the league but has not yet been allowed to step in and play in front of a packed Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. The night towards Sunday, starting at 04.00 Swedish time, finally steps Alex Wennberg and his men in and make their home debut against the Vancouver Canucks.
Trust that fans in Seattle will offer an unforgettable experience.
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