Preview Roundups
January 03, 2015
Ottawa at Boston 1:00 PM ET
The Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators are among the more disappointing clubs, but both teams believe a turnaround is on the horizon. Reigning Presidents' Trophy winner Boston won only five times in 14 games (5-6-3) and is on the outside of the postseason picture. "You know, no one feels sorry for us ... so it's up to us to bear down and start putting a winning streak together," Milan Lucic said. "Like I said, 2014's done. Turn that page and start fresh in 2015."
Nashville at Los Angeles 4:00 PM ET
The Los Angeles Kings begin a seven-game homestand by hosting the Nashville Predators on Saturday. The Kings are just 4-3-3 in their last 10 games, but they will welcome a long stretch at home where they are 14-4-2. Nashville has won seven of its last 10 (7-2-1) and will be well-rested after last playing on Tuesday.
Philadelphia at New Jersey 7:00 PM ET
Struggling Metropolitan Division rivals collide in the Garden State as the Philadelphia Flyers visit the New Jersey Devils on Saturday. Philadelphia saw its winless streak stretch to four games (0-3-1) with a 2-1 loss to cellar-dwelling Carolina on Friday but received a ray of light as captain Claude Giroux's lower-body injury turned out to be less severe than originally feared.
Buffalo at NY Rangers 7:00 PM ET
The surging New York Rangers have won nine of their last 10 games overall and vie for their fifth consecutive victory against the Buffalo Sabres when the teams meet at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. Despite the victorious stretch, coach Alain Vigneault remains focused on the bigger picture as the team resides in eighth place in the Eastern Conference.
Montreal at Pittsburgh 7:00 PM ET
Seizing the spotlight in Pittsburgh's star-studded lineup isn't easy, but David Perron will take center stage when he makes his debut for the Penguins against the visiting Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night. Perron was acquired from the Edmonton Oilers on Friday in exchange for forward Rob Klinkhammer and a 2015 first-round draft pick. Perron steps right into a heated playoff race - the winner of Saturday's game takes over first place in the Eastern Conference.
Toronto at Winnipeg 7:00 PM ET
The Toronto Maple Leafs wrap up their seven-game road trip when they pay a visit to the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday. Toronto fell to 2-4-0 on its trek Friday as it dropped a 3-1 decision at Minnesota. Defenseman Cody Franson scored the lone goal for the Maple Leafs, who fell to 2-6-0 over its last eight contests.
Minnesota at Dallas 8:00 PM ET
The Dallas Stars are playing their best hockey of the season and go for their fourth consecutive victory when they host the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night. Dallas is 7-1-0 following a 6-0 drubbing of the Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday, which came two nights after ending the New York Rangers' eight-game winning streak. “I think we’ve been going pretty good here of late and we just want to carry it into a new month and a new year,” Stars captain Jamie Benn said.
Columbus at Arizona 8:00 PM ET
After wrapping up their five-game homestand with a pair of victories, the Columbus Blue Jackets look to continue the momentum when they begin a four-game road trip against the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday. Columbus posted a 3-1 triumph over Minnesota on Wednesday to finish with a 10-1-1 record in December and match the franchise record for most wins in a month.
Detroit at Vancouver 10:00 PM ET
The Detroit Red Wings have begun righting the ship by winning three of their last four following a six-game skid (0-2-4). The Red Wings look to continue their good fortune when they open a six-game road trip against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday. Captain Henrik Zetterberg, who has four goals and three assists in his last six games, scored the go-ahead tally late in the third period of Detroit's 3-1 triumph over New Jersey on Wednesday.
St. Louis at San Jose 10:30 PM ET
The St. Louis Blues attempt to snap their road losing streak when they visit the San Jose Sharks on Saturday. St. Louis suffered its fifth consecutive defeat away from home Friday as it dropped a 4-3 decision at Anaheim. Defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk and Alex Steen each recorded a goal and an assist as the Blues lost their ninth straight visit to Anaheim and fell to 0-2-0 on their four-game road trip.