Preview Roundups
January 29, 2015
Boston at NY Islanders 7:00 PM ET
A changing of the guard is taking place in the Eastern Conference and the New York Islanders are leading the charge. Fresh off another dominant victory over the archrival New York Rangers, the Islanders vie for their seventh win in eight games when they host the Boston Bruins on Thursday night. New York is tied with Anaheim for the league lead with 32 victories, matching a franchise record set in 1978-79 for the most wins in the first 47 games of the season.
Montreal at NY Rangers 7:00 PM ET
The Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers are enjoying torrid stretches as they ascend in their respective divisions and toward the postseason. The Original Six rivals look to continue their hot hands when they play the final contest of their three-game season series at Madison Square Garden on Thursday. Carey Price made 40 saves in Montreal's 3-2 triumph over Dallas on Tuesday, lifting his team to its third straight victory while it improved to 13-3-1 in its last 17 contests.
Winnipeg at Philadelphia 7:00 PM ET
An uncharacteristic off-night from the Winnipeg goaltending saw the Jets' five-game winning streak come to an end. They'll look to bounce back behind a different netminder Thursday night as they visit the Philadelphia Flyers. Winnipeg came into Tuesday's game in Pittsburgh having allowed just seven goals during its streak, but veteran goalie Ondrej Pavelec struggled to maintain his recent form en route to a 5-3 loss at the hands of the red-hot Penguins.
Arizona at Toronto 7:30 PM ET
Mired in seven-game winless streaks, the Arizona Coyotes and Toronto Maple Leafs look to stop the bleeding at the other's expense when the sputtering clubs meet at Air Canada Centre on Thursday. Toronto nearly ended its losing streak on Wednesday, but it yielded a goal with 2:50 remaining in regulation before suffering a 2-1 shootout loss at New Jersey.
Dallas at Ottawa 7:30 PM ET
Jason Spezza makes his return to Ottawa when the Dallas Stars face off against the Senators in Canada's capital on Thursday. The 31-year-old spent the first 11 seasons of his career with Ottawa before requesting a trade, which he received when he was dealt to Dallas on July 1. The Stars look to get back in the win column after falling to Boston on Jan. 20 and again at Montreal on Tuesday in the opener of their three-game road trip.
Detroit at Tampa Bay 7:30 PM ET
The Detroit Red Wings look to extend their season-high winning streak to seven games and remain atop the Atlantic Division standings when they visit the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. The Red Wings, who have posted 20 goals in four games, moved ahead of the Lightning by a point in the division after holding on to edge Florida 5-4 on Tuesday. Tampa Bay is coming off a 4-2 loss at Carolina on Tuesday, but will attempt to win its franchise-record ninth straight game on home ice.
Columbus at Florida 7:30 PM ET
The skidding Florida Panthers seek their first home win in more than a month when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night. The Panthers have dropped five straight overall (0-4-1) and six in a row at home to fall seven points behind Boston for the eighth and final playoff slot in the Eastern Conference. "Now's our playoffs and the games down the stretch don't mean a thing if you don't win now," captain Willie Mitchell said. "We have to be urgent now."
Nashville at St. Louis 8:00 PM ET
The Nashville Predators have ascended to the top of the Central after posting a significantly better record against division rivals this season. The Predators look to bolster their lead in the Central and post their fourth win in five meetings with St. Louis when they open a three-game road trip against the Blues on Thursday.
Minnesota at Calgary 9:00 PM ET
The surprising Calgary Flames are holding down the final playoff slot in the Western Conference and look to create more separation from their pursuers when they host the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night. The Flames kicked off a six-game homestand with a 4-1 victory over Buffalo on Tuesday, getting a pair of goals from rookie sensation Johnny Gaudreau. Calgary has won eight of its last nine against Western Conference opponents - four coming in overtime.
Buffalo at Edmonton 9:30 PM ET
The Connor McDavid Sweepstakes have become a two-team race - and those flailing franchises will face off Thursday night in Edmonton as the Oilers host the Buffalo Sabres. Buffalo owns the worst record in the NHL thanks to a 12-game losing skid during which it has been outscored by a ridiculous 53-17 margin. The Oilers sit just two points ahead of the Sabres, but are coming off a heart-wrenching 2-1 loss to the visiting Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night.
Anaheim at San Jose 10:00 PM ET
The San Jose Sharks can snap a lengthy string of victories by the league-leading Anaheim Ducks for the second time this season when the Pacific Division rivals face off at SAP Center on Thursday. San Jose halted Anaheim's season-high seven-game winning streak with a road triumph on Oct. 26 and can put an end to the Ducks' six-game run as it continues its seven-game homestand. The Sharks improved to 2-1-1 on the stretch in their own building with a 4-2 triumph over Los Angeles on Jan. 21.