Weingold’s Wrap up of the Week
Three Stars of the Week
1. Jakub Voracek (Philadelphia Flyers)
Photo Credit: US Presswire
Just wow. What a week for Voracek and the Flyers. In four games Voracek netted four goals and seven assists for a total of eleven points. Four of the seven assists were power play points and one of his four goals was a power play goal. Just phenomenal numbers from the kid who had a hat trick against the Pittsburgh Penguins. If Voracek can keep these numbers up, expect the Flyers to turn their season around.
2. Jonathan Quick (Los Angeles Kings)
Photo Credit: PAUL J. BERESWILL/AP
The juggernaut from the Stanley Cup playoffs last season has finally shown signs of coming back to life. Starting two of the Kings’ three games in the past week, Quick posted impressive numbers against the up-and-coming Edmonton Oilers and the Colorado Avalanche. He gave up only one goal on 24 shots in both games. Coupled with a .958 Save Percentage, Quick is showing the world how the Kings won the Cup last season, and that they should be feared as midseason approaches.
3. Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Photo Credit: AP Photo/The Canadian Press, John Woods
Stammer returns to the three stars of the week with his impressive performances over the Lightning’s four games last week. Stamkos scored four goals, scoring one in each of the team’s four games against the Bruins and Maple Leafs in Tampa Bay, and against Pittsburgh and Carolina on the road. Stamkos now has thirteen goals and sixteen assists through just eighteen games in the young season. Multi-point games are becoming the status quo for the superstar.
Eastern Conference Team of the Week
The Montreal Canadiens are opening eyes around the league with their play and their current standing in the Northeast Division. A week ago, the Canadiens were 9-4-1 and sat in second place in their division with 19 points. Seven days and four games later, the Canadiens are now 12-4-2, sit atop their division and are tied for the conference lead with 26 points. Montreal had impressive wins against the New York Rangers twice, one at home and one on the road, the New York Islanders and Ottawa Senators. They are being led by their goaltending tandem of Carey Price and Peter Budaj, who held their opponents to just six goals over the past week. The week ahead becomes tough when Montreal has to face off against Pittsburgh, and division foes Toronto and Boston.
Western Conference Team of the Week
When the Chicago Blackhawks are breaking NHL records and wandering into uncharted territory, it is impossible to not choose them to be the team of the week. The Blackhawks became the first team to earn a point in each of their first 18 games, an NHL first. The Blackhawks are blowing away the Western Conference with a total of 33 points. The next closest team is the Pacific-division leading Anaheim Ducks, who have 27 points and two games in hand. The Blackhawks had an easy week, winning all three of their games against the Vancouver Canucks, the San Jose Sharks, and the Columbus Blue Jackets. Patrick Kane is playing out of his mind right now, with 9 goals and 14 assists totaling 23 points. The Blackhawks will need him to keep it up this week, as they have to meet the Blues, Blue Jackets, and Red Wings in this upcoming week.
Three Games to Watch this Week (Eastern Times)
- Nashville Predators @ Anaheim Ducks – Wednesday February 27, 10:00 p.m.
- Chicago Blackhawks @ St. Louis Blues – Thursday February 28, 8:00 p.m.
- Montreal Canadiens @ Boston Bruins – Sunday February 3, 7:30 p.m.
-Weingold
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