Vladimir Tarasenko, Jori Lehtera and the Blues are on a 9-0-1 run. (Jeff Curry, USA TODAY Sports)
Four key games, not one
The Montreal Canadiens will have the best record in the Eastern Conference if they take down the Arizona Coyotes. The Minnesota Wild need a win over the Sedin twins-led Vancouver Canucks to enhance their playoff hopes. The St. Louis Blues are 9-0-1 in their last 10, but they play a Washington Capitals team that has become far more competitive under coach Barry Trotz. Meanwhile, the Nashville Predators, one of the best teams in the West, meets the Pittsburgh Penguins, one of the best teams in the East.
Crosby and Ovechkin are playing
If you are an NHL fan, that’s on par with watching Tom Brady perform. Ovechkin is tied for the NHL lead with 29 goals and Crosby has 14 points in his past 11 games. Ovechkin’s Capitals play St. Louis on NBC Sports Network, 1 p.m.
Nobody hotter than Blues
The Blues are the highest-scoring Western team, and they are among the league’s top defensive teams. In January, the Blues have scored 48 goals in 11 games. Vladimir Tarasenko is the Blues’ most exciting forward since Brett Hull, and the Blues are among the NHL’s most entertaining teams.
Hockey dads make great sacrifices for their sons. This weekend, we’re saying thanks. http://t.co/FmJMOFqsl9 #OurDads pic.twitter.com/eEPffebZ0i
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) January 31, 2015
Price is right
Montreal goalie Carey Price has continued to play so sharply that Pekka Rinne’s lock on the Vezina Trophy might be no more. Nashville’s Rinne, still injured, might come back later next week to find he is in a major battle for that trophy. Because he played last night, he probably face Arizona today. But he has posted back-to-back shutouts and stopped 136 of his past 139 shots. That’s a .978 save percentage. The Canadiens are playing the kind of hockey that could carry them far in the playoffs.
Hockey before nachos
Give the NHL credit for not butting heads with the Super Bowl. All of the NHL games should be completed before Richard Sherman picks off Brady’s first pass. You never know how competitive a Super Bowl will be, but the NHL slate is almost guaranteed to produce some measure of drama.
Your games today
Arizona at Montreal, 1
St. Louis at Washington, 1
Nashville at Pittsburgh, 2
Minnesota at Vancouver, 3
Follow the rest of USA TODAY Sports’ in-depth NHL coverage at nhl.usatoday.com.
