Last week was filled with celebrations, milestones, and retirements. We saw the induction of possibly the greatest class ever into the Hall of Fame, Jeremy Roenick reach the 500-goal plateau, and the unfortunate early retirement of Eric Lindros. While the off-ice events will not be matched, this week promises to be just as exciting and unpredictable. There are some exciting match-ups this week, and many opportunities for teams such as Buffalo and New Jersey to turn their early-season struggles around as we break down this week in the NHL.

4 Games

Carolina, Columbus, Florida, Minnesota, New Jersey, San Jose

The majority of the teams are again only playing two or three games this week, so there are slim pickings of teams whose schedules fantasy players can capitalize on. The red-hot Hurricanes have the best schedule of the six, so fantasy owners should load up on Carolina players. The Hurricanes have shot to the top of the NHL in terms of goals for with 64 this season. Carolina has home games against division rivals Florida and Atlanta, as well as road visits to Florida and Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay is 6-1-1 at home which could pose a difficult challenge to the Hurricanes, who are 5-2-2 on the road. Rod Brind'Amour is showing that age is only a number, registering 23 points in 17 games. Carolina's power play is second in the league, led by Cory Stillman, who has 6 power-play goals already this season. Cam Ward continues to provide solid goaltending with an 8-3-2 record and a 2.58 GAA.

Columbus is another team to watch this week. The surprising Blue Jackets have one of the better home records in the NHL, going 5-1-1 so far, and with three home games this week the Jackets have the potential to continue their hot start. The Blue Jackets play host to the Red Wings, Predators and Blackhawks, while traveling to St. Louis. Pascal Leclaire has been nothing short of spectacular, going 7-3 with an astounding 1.40 GAA and five shutouts. The Blue Jackets are the top penalty-killing team in the NHL, led by Mike Peca. Rick Nash once again leads the charge in Columbus scoring 17 points in 16 games.

3 Games

Anaheim, Calgary, Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, Los Angeles, Montreal, Nashville, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Toronto, Vancouver

Philadelphia is the last remaining team to be unbeaten at home, and with all three of their games at home this week, the Flyers are a lock to have a great week. The Flyers play the Devils, the Islanders, and the Rangers this week, who have are a combined 6-13-3 on the road this season. The Devils will be coming off a game against the Islanders the previous night, so the physical Flyers could catch a weary Devils team. The Flyers will be without left winger Simon Gagne, who is recovering from a concussion, as well as Sami Kapanen, who will be out with a knee injury. Daniel Briere is proving to be a great signing for Philly, registering 19 points in 16 games, which ties him for the team lead in scoring with center Mike Richards, who is having a breakout start to the season. Goaltender Marty Biron is also proving to be a great addition to the team, posting a record of 9-5 with a 2.25 GAA.

The Calgary Flames, despite playing two of their three games on the road this week, are another team to watch. The Flames travel to Vancouver, who is tied with the Phoenix Coyotes with the worst home record in the league, going 2-6. The Flames also visit Edmonton, who has been decimated with injuries to their defence core and is 3-4 at home so far. The Flames will be without number one centerman Daymond Langkow, who adds to the growing list of players with concussions. Matthew Lombardi will be looked upon to pick up his game in Langkow's absence. Calgary is led by red-hot wingers Jarome Iginla and Alex Tanguay, who have scored 24 and 19 points respectively.

2 Games

Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Colorado, Dallas, Edmonton, Ottawa, Tampa Bay, Washington

Out of the nine teams playing two games this week, there is really only one team whose match-up I really like this week. Surprise, surprise, it's the Ottawa Senators. Ottawa will be visited by the struggling Buffalo Sabres who are an abysmal 2-5-1 on the road, and then travel to Toronto for a Saturday night match-up against the Leafs, who might as well pencil in a loss since the Leafs can't seem to figure the Senators out. Then again, neither can the rest of the league this year. There is still no word on the status of Jason Spezza, who is nursing a nagging groin injury. With the start that Ottawa is on, they may feel no need to rush Spezza back. Mike Fisher has stepped in nicely to the spot vacated by Spezza, scoring 12 points in his first 16 games with three power-play goals. Look for Daniel Alfredsson and Dany Heatley to once again be unstoppable against two teams struggling defensively.

Best Games

Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007

Carolina Hurricanes at Tampa Bay Lightning

Division rivals clash as the Carolina Hurricanes, who are one of the league's top road teams sporting a 5-2-2 record away from home travel to Tampa Bay, which has been nearly unbeatable at home with a 6-1-1 record at St. Pete Times Forum. This game features a showdown between two of the top lines in the NHL. Carolina has outstanding depth at forward and is led by the line of Cory Stillman, Rod Brind'Amour, and Justin Williams, who have combined for 23 goals, 42 assists, and 65 points. Tampa Bay features the line of Vaclav Prospal, Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis, who have accounted for 25 goals, 40 assists and 65 points. It may come down to goaltending in which Carolina has the edge as Tampa continues to struggle with consistency in net. Johan Holmqvist has carried the load for Tampa, and has an 8-5-1 record and a 2.87 GAA despite posting a poor .893 SV%.

Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007

Detroit Red Wings at Columbus Blue Jackets

Who would have thought when the season started that the Columbus Blue Jackets would be mentioned as one of the elite teams in the NHL? After years of performing under expectations, the Blue Jackets are showing that they have what it takes to move to the next level. Credit goes to coach Ken Hitchcock, who has instilled a defence-first philosophy in Columbus that the players have seemed to buy into. Columbus will clash with the Red Wings, who are once again one of the better road teams in the NHL, going 6-1-1 to start the season. Henrik Zetterberg has a 23-game point streak dating back to last season, and with the help of linemates Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom, has been the top player in the NHL. This game will be a battle of two of the top goaltenders in the NHL as either Dominik Hasek or Chris Osgood, who has an 8-0-0 record and a 1.49 GAA, and Pascal Leclaire, who has a 7-3 record with a 1.40 GAA and five shutouts will man the pipes.

Top Players This Week

Center

Joe Thornton

Pavel Datsyuk

Daniel Briere

Rod Brind'Amour

Left Wing

Rick Nash

Cory Stillman

Henrik Zetterberg

Alex Tanguay

Right Wing

Nikolai Zherdev

Tomas Holmstrom

Jarome Iginla

Justin Williams

Defence

Kimmo Timonen

Sergei Gonchar

Nicklas Lidstrom

Paul Martin

Cory Murphy

Goaltenders

Pascal Leclaire

Cam Ward

Martin Biron

Marc-Andre Fleury

Sleepers

G- Ondrej Pavelec

LW-Scott Hartnell

RW- Alexander Radulov

C- Matthew Lombardi

C- Mike Fisher

D- Brent Burns



Questions and comments can be sent to gregdufour@sportsgrumblings.com.