This Week in the NHL: Big milestones in crosshairs for Crosby, Malkin

With 32 teams and seemingly infinite storylines, it’s hard to keep track of all the weekly goings on during the NHL season. That’s why I’m here to help. Every Monday from October to April, I’ll preview the key events, games, narratives and milestones in play for the week.

So what’s on tap for Oct. 14-20?

Oct. 17: Luke Schenn’s 1,000^th game

Edmonton Oilers @ Nashville Predators, 8:00 p.m. ET

Schenn never met the hype that made him the 2008 NHL Draft’s fifth overall pick, but he won’t go down as a bust, either. You can’t be if you’re good enough to log 1,000 games in the world’s top league. Schenn, one of the game’s toughest blueliners and most respected dressing room leaders, already has two Stanley Cup rings and will add another accomplishment to his resume with Game 1,000 on Thursday in Music City.

Oct. 19: Tyler Myers’ 1,000^th game (?)

Vancouver Canucks @ Philadelphia Flyers, 7:00 p.m. ET

Myers’ trajectory really changed over the course of his career. He was a Calder Trophy winner and future star when he debuted in 2009-10. He never reached those heights again but nevertheless has enjoyed a long career as a towering, productive defenseman, mixing mobility and taking the torch from Zdeno Chara for the league’s longest reach. Myers will ring in Game 1,000 when his Canucks head to Philly on Saturday…probably. He’s day-to-day with a lower-body injury but is travelling with the team and may not miss time. If he misses even one game this week, he’ll have to wait until next week for his milestone.

Sidney Crosby closes in on 1,600 points

Already pretty much cemented on hockey’s Mount Rushmore, Sid will add to his long list of accolades this season. He needs just one point to become the 10^th member of the 1,600 club, so that should happen this week with the Pittsburgh Penguins playing four times. Sid also needs just eight goals for 600.

Evgeni Malkin’s 500^th goal

Malkin already joined the 800-assist and 1300-point clubs last week. But he’s just two goals away from 500, too. The standing ovations could be plentiful for him and Sid this week.

Sergei Bobrovsky’s 400^th win

It feels like ‘Bad Contract Bobrovsky’ is a distant memory now. He’s a two-time Vezina Trophy winner, a Stanley Cup champion and, if there’s any remaining doubt he’s a surefire Hall of Famer, he’ll erase it when he becomes just the 14^th goalie to win 400 games. He’s just three victories away. His Florida Panthers play four times this week, including one back-to-back, so there’s a good chance ‘Bob’ starts three games. If he runs the table, he’ll get to 400 this week.

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