Each Friday, NHL Network and ESPN analyst Kevin Weekes will provide readers with games he is looking forward to that weekend:
Boston Bruins at Montreal Canadiens (Saturday, 7 p.m. ET; CBC, TVAS, CITY, NESN, NHLN)
The Bruins (11-1-1) are off to a better start than last season when they began their record-setting campaign at 10-2-0. The defense and goaltending of Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark have not taken a step back after their success last season, with Boston leading the league in goals against per game (1.92). Forward David Pastrnak has scored 10 goals in 13 games and is on pace for more than 60. Captain Brad Marchand (13 points; six goals, seven assists in 13 games) and center Charlie Coyle (12 points; five goals, seven assists in 13 games) are also off to strong starts. Rookie center Matthew Poitras and rookie defenseman Mason Lohrei each has contributed as well. This is a game the Bruins can't take lightly against one of their oldest rivals.
The Canadiens (6-5-2) had a big 3-2 overtime win at the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday after losing four straight (0-3-1). I'm not surprised with the way forward Cole Caufield (13 points; five goals, eight assists in 13 games) and center Nick Suzuki (12 points; five goals, seven assists in 13 games) are playing, but how about Sean Monahan? The center is healthy and producing with 12 points (six goals, six assists) in 13 games. Montreal is competing and learning the game as it goes, and coach Martin St. Louis has done a nice job with the roster. The Canadiens play in a tough conference and division but have proven early on they can keep up with any team if they stick to their game plan.
Dallas Stars at Minnesota Wild (Sunday, 6 p.m. ET; BSSWX, BSWI, BSN, NHLN, SNW, SNO, SNE)
I like the balance the Stars have this season, especially on the third line with Tyler Seguin, Matt Duchene and Mason Marchment, because we know the top line of Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz and Joe Pavelski has carried them in seasons past. Jake Oettinger (6-2-1, 2.10 goals-against average, .933 save percentage in nine starts) is one of the best goalies in the NHL, but I like what Scott Wedgewood (2-1-0, 3.36 GAA, .911 save percentage in three starts) has provided as the backup. Dallas (8-3-1) was two wins away from the Stanley Cup Final last season and returned most of its team this season.
The Wild (5-6-2) acquired defenseman Zach Bogosian in a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday and traded defenseman Calen Addison to the San Jose Sharks the same day to get more grit on the back end. Minnesota has underperformed to start the season but had a comeback 5-4 shootout win against the New York Rangers on Saturday, a game they were losing 3-0 after one period, and followed that with a 4-2 win at the New York Islanders on Tuesday. They did lose 4-1 at the Rangers on Thursday, and can't let the losses pile up. Forward Matt Boldy is healthy again, with a point in five of his six games this season, and center Marco Rossi also is healthy and is off to a great start with seven points (five goals, two assists) in 13 games after having one assist in 21 NHL games prior to this season.
