This article is part of our Schedule Analysis series.
With Thanksgiving week upon us, there's a much to be thankful for, including several home-and-home series. Additionally, Nashville and Edmonton will be the only teams in action on Thanksgiving night, meaning most teams will be in action on b2b nights Friday and Saturday.
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Four Aces
Detroit has a myriad of issues with Daniel Alfredsson deciding not to play and possibly retire. Pavel Datsyuk missed the game on Saturday. If by some miracle he's available, Tomas Tatar is ripe for the picking.
Minnesota will finish up their Florida swing before heading home to face the Kings before they finish out the week with a tough (@DAL, STL) back-to-back schedule. Mikko Koivu wound up playing on Saturday, but is now pointless in two straight. Zach Parise is picking up the pace.
Islanders play three of 4 from home this week, including the Capitals in a non-traditional home-and-home affair. Michael Grabner is not likely to play before the holiday. Ryan Strome, Anders Lee and Josh Bailey are taking things up a notch.
Pittsburgh will host Winnipeg before the holidays, then take on the Hurricanes in a home-and-home series. What's going on with these strange medical diagnoses in Pittsburgh? First Tomas Voukon then Kris Letang, Olli Maatta and now Pascal Dupuis? Either way, they always seem to find the depth. Such as Jayson Megna, who has been recalled. Blake Comeau still readily available, despite playing on the team's first line? Looks like Thomas Greiss will get at least one
With Thanksgiving week upon us, there's a much to be thankful for, including several home-and-home series. Additionally, Nashville and Edmonton will be the only teams in action on Thanksgiving night, meaning most teams will be in action on b2b nights Friday and Saturday.
----------------
Four Aces
Detroit has a myriad of issues with Daniel Alfredsson deciding not to play and possibly retire. Pavel Datsyuk missed the game on Saturday. If by some miracle he's available, Tomas Tatar is ripe for the picking.
Minnesota will finish up their Florida swing before heading home to face the Kings before they finish out the week with a tough (@DAL, STL) back-to-back schedule. Mikko Koivu wound up playing on Saturday, but is now pointless in two straight. Zach Parise is picking up the pace.
Islanders play three of 4 from home this week, including the Capitals in a non-traditional home-and-home affair. Michael Grabner is not likely to play before the holiday. Ryan Strome, Anders Lee and Josh Bailey are taking things up a notch.
Pittsburgh will host Winnipeg before the holidays, then take on the Hurricanes in a home-and-home series. What's going on with these strange medical diagnoses in Pittsburgh? First Tomas Voukon then Kris Letang, Olli Maatta and now Pascal Dupuis? Either way, they always seem to find the depth. Such as Jayson Megna, who has been recalled. Blake Comeau still readily available, despite playing on the team's first line? Looks like Thomas Greiss will get at least one start this week.
Back-to-back Jacks
The Senators make for an interesting lock this week. Beginning their five-game road trip, the Sens play all four in road uniforms starting with trips to Detroit and St. Louis on and a Florida Swing after the holiday. Both Craig Anderson and Robin Lehner will be busy this week. Chris Phillips did not play on Saturday.
Three of a Kind
Hold 'em
Dallas has been on a tear and this week's schedule isn't like to get in the way. Outside of a warming Jamie Been and usually warm Tyler Seguin, John Klingberg saw serious power play time in Dallas' 5-4 edging of LA on Saturday, displacing Alex Goligoski. Jason Demers scored in his first game with the team. Our favorite ginger Cody Eakin is beginning his ascent.
After hosting a bout with the defending Cup champs, Nashville remains home for the holiday week and will likely be thankful for matchups with the Oilers and Jackets.
St. Louis will play two of three from home before travelling to Minnesota. They've been mired in a bit of a slump lately, but Jori Lehtera, Vladimir Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz continue to underscore their future, short and long-term.
Fold 'em
New Jersey has a difficult schedule, returning from Vancouver then hosting Detroit and onto the Island the next night. Chad Johnson should get on these starts. Eric Gelinas had a pair of assists on Friday. Adam Henrique is back to the lineup and producing.
Buffalo has a tilt with visiting Winnipeg before hosting the Canadiens on b2b nights, yikes! At least Matt Moulson is starting to come around.
Columbus will also host the Jets before before tough contests with the Canucks and Preds on b2b nights. Nick Foligno continues his rise. While Ryan Johansen continues his assault on the leaderboards, quietly, Booner Jenner has been solid in his return. It also seems Jack Johnson is kicking up production in light of the recent bad press.
A Pair
Although Montreal only plays two this week, it will be against the Sabres on b2b nights. Dustin Tokarski should get another starting after drawing the Rangers this weekend. The line of Lars Eller, Jiri Sekac and Brandon Prust could be a nice source for production on these nights. Brendan Gallagher had two assists on Saturday.
TABLE TALK: Max Domi has 43 points in 20 OHL games thus far. Adam Tambellini is doing pretty well in the WHL. Benoit Pouliott's (foot) hurts an already slumping Oilers team. Michael Ferland made his debut on Friday and Josh Joris has eight points through 14 games with the Flames. Calvin Pickard had to save Reto Berr on Saturday. Nick Bjugstad has eight points in a four game point streak. Brooks Laich could return to the lineup on Wednesday. Patrick Sharp has reumed skating. David Booth is nearing a return. Alex Tanguay is being considered day-to-day.
