This Week in the NHL: Oilers visit Panthers in Stanley Cup Final rematch

With 32 teams, games every night and countless narratives emerging, the NHL season can make one’s head spin, and it’s easy to miss out on the weekly storylines. Not to worry; every Monday from October to April, I’ll map out the major events, games, plotlines and milestones on tap for the next seven days.

So what’s happening the week of Nov. 17-23?

Nov. 17: Jeff Petry’s 1,000th game

Vancouver Canucks @ Florida Panthers, 7:00 pm. ET

The rugged blueliner is playing a reduced role in Florida, with a career low in average TOI, but he’s enjoyed a long career punctuated by four seasons with double-digit goals and 40-plus points. He was a workhorse on the 2020-21 Montreal Canadiens team that reached the Stanley Cup Final. He’ll ring in his thousandth contest Monday.

Nov. 18: Justin Faulk’s 1,000th game

St. Louis Blues @ Toronto Maple Leafs, 7:00 p.m. ET

A great skater and prolific shot blocker, Faulk has spent a decade and a half as one of the league’s more reliable minute munchers, and he’s played in three All-Star Games. He remains as busy as ever in his age-33 season, logging more than 23 minutes a game, and he’ll join the 1,000 club one day after Petry.

Nov. 20: Quarter mark of the NHL season

The 10th contest on Thursday’s 12-game slate will mark Game 328 of the season and exactly 25 percent through the campaign. The struggling teams officially have permission to panic a little bit after this point.

Nov. 21: Nikolaj Ehlers returns to Winnipeg

Carolina Hurricanes @ Winnipeg Jets, 8:00 p.m. ET

Ehlers spent 11 productive years in Winnipeg. He ranks fifth on the Thrashers/Jets all-time leaderboard in goals and sixth in points. Having departed as a UFA, will he receive a chilly reception from the Canada Life Centre faithful?

Nov 22: Stanley Cup Final rematch

Edmonton Oilers @ Florida Panthers, 7:00 p.m. ET

The Panthers have won consecutive championships by knocking off the Oil in seven and six games. Regular-season revenge won’t fully quench the thirst of Connor McDavid and company, but it would at least provide a confidence boost.