Preview Roundups
January 20, 2015
Ottawa at NY Rangers 7:00 PM ET
The surging New York Rangers look to head into the All-Star break on a high note, seeking their third consecutive victory when they host the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday. The Rangers rebounded from consecutive shutout losses with impressive road wins at Columbus and Pittsburgh to improve to 15-3-0 in their last 18. "We're not looking ahead to the break, we are focused on tomorrow, closing out a good stretch of hockey at home," captain Ryan McDonagh said Monday.
Edmonton at Washington 7:00 PM ET
Coach Barry Trotz wasted little time throwing down the gauntlet as the Washington Capitals attempt to prevent a three-game skid when they host the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. "It's imperative that we get (Tuesday's game)," Trotz said. "We have to be hungry. We have to get that game. To me, it's almost like a (must-win) game."
Pittsburgh at Philadelphia 7:30 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Penguins look to keep pace in the top-heavy Metropolitan Division when they visit the Keystone State-rival Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday. The Penguins have dropped two in a row to fall five points behind the first-place New York Islanders, and their five-game winless streak versus Philadelphia is cause for concern for captain Sidney Crosby and company.
Nashville at Montreal 7:30 PM ET
The Central Division-leading Nashville Predators look to bounce back from a rare regulation loss when they visit the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday. Nashville is coming off a 5-2 setback at Detroit on Saturday, its first defeat in regulation since Dec. 23 at Boston. Mike Fisher and defenseman Mattias Ekholm scored for the Predators, who had gone 8-0-2 since falling to the Bruins.
Minnesota at Detroit 7:30 PM ET
The Detroit Red Wings have refused to wilt following an injury to starting netminder Jimmy Howard and look to extend their winning streak to five games when they host the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night. Although two of the victories during their current run came at the expense of lowly Buffalo, Detroit also knocked off Central Division powers Nashville and St. Louis. The Red Wings have won nine of their last 12 to move within a point of Atlantic Division leader Tampa Bay.
Vancouver at Tampa Bay 7:30 PM ET
The Vancouver Canucks look to go into the All-Star break with four consecutive victories when they visit to Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday to end a five-game road trip. The Canucks allowed one goal combined in the last three games after edging Florida 2-1 on Monday and will be tested by the highest-scoring team in the league. All-Star forwards Tyler Johnson (48 points) and captain Steven Stamkos (26 goals, six in seven games) lead the Lightning, who have won nine of their last 12 contests.
Arizona at Chicago 8:30 PM ET
The Chicago Blackhawks look to avoid their third straight home loss when they face off against the Arizona Coyotes in the finale of their four-game homestand on Tuesday. Chicago suffered its third defeat in four contests at United Center on Sunday, when it dropped a 6-3 decision to Dallas. Brandon Saad scored his second goal of the night in the second period to forge a 3-3 tie, but the Blackhawks surrendered three tallies in the third to fall for the fifth time in eight overall games this month.
Boston at Dallas 8:30 PM ET
Consistent goal scoring has been an issue for the Boston Bruins throughout the season and they will get a reminder of what they are missing when they visit Tyler Seguin and the Dallas Stars on Tuesday. Boston traded Seguin to Dallas in July 2013 and the former No. 2 overall pick responded by scoring 37 goals last season and is tied for the league lead with 28 this campaign. The Bruins had a five-game winning streak snapped in a 3-1 loss to Columbus on Saturday.