Preview Roundups
January 08, 2015
New Jersey at Boston 7:00 PM ET
The New Jersey Devils look to defeat the Bruins in Boston on Thursday for their first three-game winning streak since emerging victorious in their first three contests of the season. Jaromir Jagr became the oldest player to record a hat trick in a 5-2 victory over Philadelphia on Saturday and Patrik Elias collected a goal and two assists to reach the 1,000-point plateau in a 4-1 triumph over Buffalo three nights later.
Washington at Philadelphia 7:00 PM ET
The Washington Capitals look to extend their point streak to six games when they visit the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday. Washington improved to 4-0-1 since the Christmas break by posting its third consecutive victory on Wednesday, a 6-2 triumph at Toronto. Eric Fehr recorded his second two-goal performance in five games and added an assist while Marcus Johansson also scored twice as the Capitals raised their record to 11-1-3 in their last 15 contests.
Buffalo at Carolina 7:00 PM ET
Offense figures to be at a premium when the Carolina Hurricanes host the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday in a matchup of the two lowest-scoring teams in the league. The Hurricanes, who are buried in last place in the Eastern Conference with three fewer points than Buffalo, had their bid for a three-game winning streak thwarted in a 3-2 loss at Nashville on Tuesday. It marked the 17th time in 18 games that Carolina was limited to two goals or fewer.
San Jose at St. Louis 8:00 PM ET
Nothing puts the brakes on an extended rough stretch like a pair of emphatic road victories - just ask the St. Louis Blues. They'll look to stay hot Thursday night as they kick off a seven-game homestand against the San Jose Sharks. St. Louis ended 2014 - and rang in the new year - with a 1-5-1 showing before getting back to its dominant self, following a 7-2 throttling of the host Sharks with a 6-0 trouncing of Arizona on Tuesday.
Dallas at Nashville 8:00 PM ET
The Dallas Stars visit the Nashville Predators on Thursday hoping to halt their brief winless skid. The Stars began 2015 with their eighth win in nine contests but dropped their last two as they try to climb into a playoff spot. Nashville holds a slim lead in the Central and is 10-3-2 against division opponents, while Dallas is 2-7-4.
Chicago at Minnesota 8:00 PM ET
The Chicago Blackhawks came away from their latest defeat shaking their heads but it pales to the frustration boiling up in their next opponent. The Blackhawks look to avoid consecutive losses for the first time since Nov. 1-2 when they visit the skidding Minnesota Wild on Thursday night. Chicago is coming off a 2-0 home loss to Colorado despite unloading a season-high 54 shots and has split its last eight following a stretch of 13 wins in 15 games.
Ottawa at Colorado 9:00 PM ET
The Ottawa Senators continue their four-game road trip when they visit the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday. After having its three-game point streak snapped at home by Tampa Bay on Sunday, Ottawa began its trek two days later with a second straight loss as it dropped a 2-1 shootout decision at Philadelphia. Mike Hoffman scored the lone goal for the Senators, his team-leading 13th of the season, as the club suffered its third loss in four road contests (1-2-1).
Winnipeg at Arizona 9:00 PM ET
After a less-than-stellar homestand produced little in terms of positives, the Winnipeg Jets open a three-game road trip against Pacific Division representatives - starting with a date versus the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday. The Jets yielded the go-ahead goal with 4.5 seconds remaining in the third period to suffer a 3-2 setback against San Jose and complete a 1-3-0 homestand.
Florida at Vancouver 10:00 PM ET
Roberto Luongo isn't sure what kind of reception he'll receive at Rogers Arena on Thursday night - but he knows it'll all sound the same to him. Luongo makes his first start on Vancouver ice since being traded late last season as he and the slumping Florida Panthers square off against the Canucks. The Panthers have dropped three of four as they prepare for the third contest of a six-game road trip - and the opener of four consecutive tilts against Canadian foes.
NY Rangers at Los Angeles 10:30 PM ET
The New York Rangers attempt to continue their torrid pace when they visit the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday for a rematch of last season's Stanley Cup final. New York began its three-game California trip on Wednesday by defeating Anaheim 4-1 for its third straight victory and 11th in 12 contests. Rick Nash scored what proved to be the winning goal 2 1/2 minutes into the third period as the Rangers won for the sixth time in seven road games.