Thanksgiving Showdown, homecomings highlight week ahead

The 2018 Discover NHL Thanksgiving Showdown between the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers, and James Neal's first games with the Calgary Flames against the Vegas Golden Knights are among the highlights of the week ahead in the NHL.
Here's a look at 5 things to watch:

1. The first quarter

Wednesday is when the NHL will pass the first quarter of the 2018-19 regular season leading into Thanksgiving. A 14-game schedule is highlighted by the Philadelphia Flyers taking on the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center (7:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, NBCSP+).

2. Thanksgiving showdown

The 2018 Discover NHL Thanksgiving Showdown features the New York Rangers against the Flyers at Wells Fargo Center on Friday (1 p.m. ET; NBC). The annual showdown highlights the first 15-game day of 2018-19, when every team except the Los Angeles Kings will be in action.
The teams resume their rivalry with the Rangers (10-8-2) and Flyers (9-9-2) each contending in the Metropolitan Division. New York is 131-117-8 with 37 ties all-time against Philadelphia, but 1-3-0 last season.

3. Returns and reunions

A handful of players will either be facing their former teams for the first time or returning to their former homes this week:
* Mike Hoffman returns to Canadian Tire Centre with the Florida Panthers to play the Ottawa Senators on Monday (7:30 p.m. ET; RDSI, TSN5, FS-F, NHL.TV). Hoffman, who had 230 points (107 goals, 123 assists) in 342 games with the Senators before he was traded to the San Jose Sharks on June 19, and from San Jose to Florida hours later, has points in a Panthers record 15 consecutive games (18 points; eight goals, 10 assists), the longest run in the NHL this season.

* Flyers forward James van Riemsdyk faces the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, CBC, SN1, NBCSP, NHL.TV) for the first time since signing as an unrestricted free agent July 1. Van Riemsdyk, who returned to the lineup Thursday after missing 16 games with a lower-body injury, had 294 points (154 goals, 140 assists) in 413 games with the Maple Leafs.
"I had very fond memories there," van Riemsdyk said. "It was a very exciting time in my life. You want to go back there and get a big win because they're in our conference and it's one of those teams that is going to be there come playoff time."
Van Riemsdyk spent his first three NHL seasons in Philadelphia (2009-12).

* Calgary Flames forward James Neal will play the Vegas Golden Knights for the first time since helping them reach the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season of 2017-18 on Monday (9 p.m. ET; SNW, ATTSN-RM, NHL.TV). Four days later, Neal returns to T-Mobile Arena.
* Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Jack Johnson plays against the Columbus Blue Jackets at PPG Paints Arena on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; ATTSN-PT, FS-O, NHL.TV) for the first time since signing a five-year, $16.25 million contract (average annual value of $3.25 million) July 1. Johnson had 154 points (36 goals, 118 assists) in 445 games with the Blue Jackets from 2012-18, each among the top three by a defenseman in their history.

4. Kings to honor O'Ree

Newly inducted Hockey Hall of Famer Willie O'Ree will be honored by the Los Angeles Kings before their game against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday (10 p.m. ET; CBC, SN, SN360, SN1, FS-W, NHL.TV) as part of their Legends Night Series presented by McDonald's.
O'Ree, who became the first black player to compete in the NHL on Jan. 18, 1958, played six seasons with Los Angeles of the Western Hockey League (1961-67) and seven with San Diego of the WHL (1967-74). A resident of San Diego, O'Ree has been diversity ambassador for the Hockey is for Everyone initiative since Jan. 18, 1998.

5. Milestone watch

* David Pastrnak is three goals from becoming the sixth member of the Boston Bruins to be the first NHL player to reach 20 goals in a season: Buzz Boll (1942-43), Herb Cain (1943-44), Bronco Horvath (1959-60), Phil Esposito (1970-71, 1971-72, 1973-74, 1974-75) and Bill Guerin (2000-01). The Bruins visit the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET; FS-D+, NESN, NHL.TV), are home against the Penguins on Friday and at the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday.