This Week in the NHL: Will Ullmark, Swayman face off as divisional rivals?
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 Nov. 4-10?
Nov. 8-11: Hockey Hall of Fame induction weekend
The time-honored tradition continues. The Class of 2024 features Natalie Darwitz, Pavel Datsyuk, Jeremy Roenick, Shea Weber and Krissy Wendell-Pohl in the player category and Colin Campbell and David Poile in the builder category. On Friday night, the Toronto Maple Leafs will host the Detroit Red Wings in the annual Hall of Fame Game. The induction ceremony takes place next Monday.
Nov. 9: Erik Johnson’s 1,000th game
Philadelphia Flyers @ Florida Panthers, 6:00 p.m. EET
Johnson may not have lived up to his billing as the 2006 NHL Draft’s No. 1 overall pick, but when you make it to 1,000 games and win a Stanley Cup, you’re hardly a total flop. He could hit the milestone as early as Saturday, keeping in mind he’s been an occasional healthy scratch for the Flyers this season and thus isn’t a lock to play every game this week.
Nov. 9: Ullmark, Swayman potentially go head to head
Ottawa Senators @ Boston Bruins, 7:00 p.m. ET
For the first time since Ullmark’s offseason trade to Ottawa, he’ll face off against the team with whom he won the 2022-23 Vezina Trophy: the Bruins. Neither team plays the day before, meaning that, health permitting, we’ll see Ullmark and his great friend Swayman tending goal for either side. Don’t expect them to recreate their trademark post-game hug now that they’re divisional rivals.
Sidney Crosby’s 600th goal
Crosby already joined the 1,300 point club in October, and he should hit another big milestone this month. He’s a long shot to get to 600 this week, sitting three away with his Pittsburgh Penguins playing three times, but we know better than to bet against Sid on anything. When he gets to 600 goals, he’ll be the 21st player to do so.