This Week in the NHL: Capitals, Jets offer potential Stanley Cup Final preview
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 we’re here to help. Every Monday from October to April, we’ll preview the key events, games, narratives and milestones in play for the week.
So what’s on tap for March 24-30?
March 24: Luke vs. Quinn Hughes
Vancouver Canucks @ New Jersey Devils, 7:00 p.m. ET
Sure, Jack won’t be in the lineup. But the Hughes Brothers matchup should still hold its weight with Luke and Quinn. Quinn has been healthy since just after the NHL Trade Deadline, and he’s already back to playing around 30 minutes a night as the Canucks look to make the postseason. Luke, meanwhile, is playing around 23 minutes a night as he looks to make up for the losses of both Dougie Hamilton and Jonas Siegenthaler for the rest of the regular season. The Devils have had the upper hand since both Jack and Quinn broke into the NHL, going 8-1-0 in nine games – including a 6-0 win back in October. With both teams trying to finalize playoff spots, this should be one to remember.
March 25: NHL’s top juggernauts go to war
Washington Capitals @ Winnipeg Jets, 8:00 p.m. ET
They’ve been the top two teams in the NHL for most of the season, and they were the first two to break the 100-point barrier. Now, they’re set to do battle for the second time this season after the Jets took hom a 5-4 victory back on Feb. 1. Both have been on absolute tears as of late and show few signs of slowing down. In particular, the Connor Hellebuyck vs. Logan Thompson goaltending match should be a doozy. But there’s one other thing fans will be keeping an eye on…
Ovi’s Chase Continues
… and that’s Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit of goal No. 895, the all-time record. Ovechkin last scored on March, putting him six behind Wayne Gretzky’s record of 894. Ovechkin has 12 games left this season to break it, and if he doesn’t, he likely won’t have to wait long next year. But with all the storylines surrounding the late-season playoff pushes across the NHL, having a potentially historic moment to look forward to is just icing on the cake. The Caps will play three games this week – Winnipeg on Tuesday, Minnesota on Thursday and Buffalo on Sunday – so we’ll see how close he gets to the Great One.
The Sheet is live! Hosted by Jeff Marek, this brand-new show is your daily deep dive into the biggest hockey stories, trends, and insights across the NHL, PWHL, junior hockey, and beyond. Streaming every weekday at 3 PM ET on the Daily Faceoff YouTube channel, The Sheet features exclusive interviews with top hockey figures, from industry executives to Olympic champions. Don’t miss out—subscribe to Daily Faceoff on YouTube and follow @TheSheetHockey on social media to stay up-to-date with all the latest from the world of hockey.