NHL Week Ahead: Milestones, Matchups, and a Coaching Reunion That’s Hard to Ignore
The NHL calendar doesn’t slow down for anyone. With games flying at us every night and 32 teams all fighting for positioning, it’s easy to miss a few key storylines.
But this week - December 1 through 7 - brings some moments that deserve a closer look. From a quietly impressive milestone to a matchup between the league’s basement dwellers, and a coaching reunion that comes with a heavy dose of history, here’s what to watch for as the week unfolds on the ice.
Brenden Dillon Hits 1,000 Games - The Quiet Warrior’s Milestone
Game: Columbus Blue Jackets @ New Jersey Devils, Dec. 1, 7:00 p.m. ET
There are flashy careers, and then there are the ones built on grit, consistency, and doing the dirty work - the kind that rarely makes highlight reels but earns deep respect in locker rooms across the league. Brenden Dillon’s 1,000-game milestone is a testament to the latter.
The 35-year-old defenseman has carved out a career across five franchises by being exactly the kind of player coaches trust: steady, physical, and low-maintenance. He’s not the guy you notice every shift - and that’s the point. When Dillon’s at his best, he’s erasing mistakes before they happen, eating minutes on the penalty kill, and making life miserable for opposing forwards in the corners.
Reaching 1,000 games is no small feat in the NHL, especially for a player who’s spent much of his career in third-pair roles and shutdown situations. Dillon’s durability and commitment to his role speak volumes. It’s a milestone worth celebrating - even if he’d probably prefer we didn’t make a big deal about it.
Dec. 2: A Battle at the Bottom - Flames vs. Predators in the “Tank Bowl”
Game: Calgary Flames @ Nashville Predators, Dec. 2, 8:00 p.m. ET
Let’s call it what it is - this one’s for the draft boards.
As of Sunday, the Flames and Predators sit at the bottom of the NHL standings in terms of points percentage. That puts them in pole position for the NHL Draft Lottery, with odds of 25.5% and 13.5%, respectively. And while no team ever wants to be in this position, the reality is that both franchises are staring down seasons that may already be slipping away.
So what do you do when your playoff hopes are fading before the holidays? Some fans start scoreboard-watching - in reverse. A loss here doesn’t just sting less; it might actually feel like a step toward a brighter future.
That said, the players on the ice aren’t wired to tank. Expect pride, effort, and maybe a little desperation from both sides. But make no mistake: this game carries weight in the long-term picture, even if it won’t be circled on many calendars.
Dec. 4: Jim Montgomery Returns to Boston - And the Emotions Are Real
Game: St. Louis Blues @ Boston Bruins, Dec. 4, 7:00 p.m. ET
This one’s going to feel different.
When Jim Montgomery walks back into TD Garden, it won’t just be another stop on the road trip. It’s been just over a year since the Bruins parted ways with him - a move that raised eyebrows across the league.
After all, Montgomery had just led Boston to the best regular-season record in NHL history and earned the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year. But a stunning first-round playoff exit changed everything, and the Bruins decided to go in a new direction.
Montgomery didn’t stay unemployed for long. The Blues gave him a shot, and he rewarded them with a surprise playoff berth in his first season behind their bench.
This year’s been more of a grind, with St. Louis struggling to stay in the postseason mix.
But a win in Boston - against the team that let him go - could be the kind of emotional spark that changes a locker room’s energy.
On the other side, the Bruins have rebounded from last season’s disappointment and look like contenders again. But don’t think they’ve forgotten how last year ended. There’s a lot of pride on both benches, and this matchup has all the ingredients of a game that means more than just two points.
Bottom Line
This week in the NHL offers a little bit of everything: a milestone for one of the league’s most quietly effective defensemen, a matchup that could shape the draft lottery, and a coaching reunion that’s sure to stir up some feelings. Buckle up - December hockey is here, and with it comes storylines that stretch far beyond the final score.