Preview Roundups
January 26, 2017
Pittsburgh at Boston 7:00 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Penguins look to pick up the pieces on Thursday after a lackluster performance in their last outing when they visit the Boston Bruins, whom they dismantled earlier in the week. Pittsburgh's high-octane offense was stuck in neutral in Tuesday's 3-0 setback to St. Louis, ending the team's streak of scoring at least four goals during its four-game winning streak, including a 5-1 rout of Boston on Sunday.
Washington at New Jersey 7:00 PM ET
The Washington Capitals have surged to the top of the NHL standings but will look to rebound from their first regulation defeat in 14 games when they visit the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night in their final matchup before the All-Star break. Washington had its 14-game point streak (12-0-2) snapped in a 3-0 loss at Ottawa on Tuesday.
Montreal at NY Islanders 7:00 PM ET
The New York Islanders have reversed course on the direction their season was headed by recording at least a point in five straight games (4-0-1), highlighted by a 3-0-1 mark under the watch of interim coach Doug Weight. New York will look to test the waters on Thursday against the visiting Montreal Canadiens, who have outscored the Islanders by a 28-14 margin en route to winning the last seven encounters.
Toronto at Philadelphia 7:00 PM ET
The Toronto Maple Leafs are showing no signs of cooling off as the All-Star break approaches, recording at least one point in 13 of their last 15 games (11-2-2). Toronto looks to remain ahead of schedule and knock off one of its competitors for a postseason spot when it plays the second contest of its six-game road trip against the rejuvenated Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday.
Los Angeles at Carolina 7:00 PM ET
The Los Angeles Kings snapped a four-game losing skid in their last outing and will look to prevent the Carolina Hurricanes from doing the same on Thursday at PNC Arena. Carolina has been outscored by a disastrous 20-5 margin during its current slide, but it improved to 3-0-1 in its last four meetings with Los Angeles after posting a 3-1 victory on Dec 8.
Calgary at Ottawa 7:30 PM ET
The All-Star break can't come soon enough for the stumbling Calgary Flames, who will try to stop a four-game slide when they visit the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night. Calgary has surrendered 20 goals during its four-game skid and has been manhandled by Toronto and Montreal on the first two legs of its three-game road trip.
Tampa Bay at Florida 7:30 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Lightning attempt to win back-to-back games for only the second time since Thanksgiving when they visit the Sunshine State rival Florida Panthers on Thursday night. The Lightning followed up one of their worst losses of the season Saturday in Arizona with one of their most inspiring triumphs Tuesday, when they rallied for four third-period goals to beat Chicago 5-2.
Columbus at Nashville 8:00 PM ET
The Columbus Blue Jackets have answered the franchise-best 16-game winning streak by surrendering 33 goals to record losses in six of their last 11 games. The Blue Jackets look to tighten their defense and resume their pursuit of the top spot in the Metropolitan Division on Thursday when they visit the Nashville Predators.
St. Louis at Minnesota 8:00 PM ET
The Minnesota Wild look to wrap up a scintillating 7 1/2-week stretch when they host the St. Louis Blues in their final game before the All-Star break. Minnesota holds a two-point lead atop the Central Division and owns the best record in the Western Confernce in the wake of a spectacular 20-3-1 mark since Dec. 4.
Winnipeg at Chicago 8:30 PM ET
The Chicago Blackhawks are among the most successful teams in the NHL this season, but 20 percent of their regulation losses came against the struggling Winnipeg Jets. The Blackhawks try again Thursday at home against a Winnipeg team that has allowed only two goals in three victories over Chicago, and the Jets can use a victory entering the All-Star break after back-to-back home defeats.
Buffalo at Dallas 8:30 PM ET
The Buffalo Sabres' newfound knack for winning games - three straight, all in overtime - has them within striking distance of their first Stanley Cup playoff berth since 2010-11 as they visit the struggling Dallas Stars on Thursday in their final contest before the All-Star break. Buffalo erased a two-goal deficit and Jack Eichel scored twice, including the one in the extra session in Tuesday's 5-4 victory in Nashville as the Sabres' confidence continues to grow.
Vancouver at Arizona 9:00 PM ET
The Arizona Coyotes look to remain perfect on their five-game homestand and seek their first three-game winning streak of the season when they host the Pacific Division-rival Vancouver Canucks on Thursday. Arizona, which has won four of its last five at Gila River Arena, began its string at home by defeating Tampa Bay and Florida — the latter in overtime Monday.
Edmonton at San Jose 10:30 PM ET
The streaking San Jose Sharks will be sorry to see the All-Star break come as they aim for the seventh consecutive victory when they host the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday. San Jose has posted four one-goal victories during the run, including a 4-3 triumph at Winnipeg on Tuesday in which Patrick Marleau scored his fifth goal in two games with 4:33 remaining in the third period to snap a tie.