Preview Roundups
January 31, 2017
Washington at NY Islanders 7:00 PM ET
The New York Islanders have stepped up their play following a coaching change to move four games over .500 for the first time this season. Riding a six-game point streak (5-0-1) during the transition from Jack Capuano to Doug Weight, the Islanders will be put to the test against an even hotter team on Tuesday as they return from the All-Star break to host the NHL-leading Washington Capitals.
Columbus at NY Rangers 7:00 PM ET
The Columbus Blue Jackets authored the most spellbinding stretch of the first half of the season with a franchise-best 16-game winning streak, but they come out of the All-Star break trailing first-place Washington by four points in the Metropolitan Division. Columbus gets a chance to avenge a stunning loss when it visits the New York Rangers on Tuesday night.
Nashville at Pittsburgh 7:00 PM ET
The Nashville Predators have been having fun while climbing back into contention in the Central Division on the strength of a 7-1-1 surge into the All-Star break. P.K. Subban kept the party going during the NHL's All-Star weekend by joining Snoop Dogg on stage and scoring a goal in the league's midseason event, although the defenseman likely will take a more serious approach on Tuesday when the Predators visit the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Philadelphia at Carolina 7:00 PM ET
By his own admission, Wayne Simmonds enjoyed an "awesome" weekend after being named the Most Valuable Player of the NHL All-Star Game while the rest of the Philadelphia Flyers savored the flavor of a three-game winning streak heading into the break. Named the NHL's First Star of the Week, Simmonds and the Flyers look to continue their good fortune against the Carolina Hurricanes this season as the Metropolitan Division rivals return from the All-Star break to meet at PNC Arena on Tuesday.
Buffalo at Montreal 7:30 PM ET
The Montreal Canadiens hold a comfortable lead atop the Atlantic Division but have gone more than three weeks without winning back-to-back games as they prepare to host the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night. The Canadiens have been ravaged by injuries but are getting reinforcements back in the first game after All-Star break.
New Jersey at Detroit 7:30 PM ET
The Detroit Red Wings and New Jersey Devils have more in common than they would like, each occupying last place in their respective divisions in the Eastern Conference. Still, both teams remain only seven points out of the second wild card spot as they return from the All-Star break with a matchup at Detroit's Joe Louis Arena.
Boston at Tampa Bay 7:30 PM ET
The Boston Bruins calmed some nerves with two big victories before the All-Star break and begin a difficult 10-game stretch when they visit the Atlantic Division-rival Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday. The Bruins dropped four in a row (0-3-1) as the heat on coach Claude Julien intensified, but earned 4-3 wins over Detroit (overtime) and Pittsburgh last week.
Ottawa at Florida 7:30 PM ET
The Ottawa Senators look to continue solidifying their spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs when they begin a three-game road trip against the Atlantic Division-rival Florida Panthers on Tuesday. The Senators hold down second place in the Atlantic after gaining points in six straight games (4-0-2) as goaltender Mike Condon backed up a much-improved defense.
Winnipeg at St. Louis 8:00 PM ET
The St. Louis Blues leave the All-Star break with sights set on improving their playoff position, opening a three-game homestand Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets while tied with Calgary for the Western Conference wild-card spots. A 3-6-0 stretch to close the pre-break schedule did not hurt the Blues as much as it could, given none of the five teams chasing St. Louis - including the Jets - are above .500 in their last 10 contests.
Toronto at Dallas 8:30 PM ET
The Dallas Stars have earned at least one point in each of the first three contests of their six-game homestand and look to grab two when it resumes Tuesday with a matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Dallas entered the All-Star break three points out of a wild-card spot in the Western Conference after beginning its string of home games with a 1-0-2 record.
Minnesota at Edmonton 9:00 PM ET
The Edmonton Oilers face a tall order Tuesday as they attempt to extend a pair of streaks when they host the Western Conference-leading Minnesota Wild. Edmonton entered the All-Star break with an eight-game point streak (7-0-1) after posting a 4-1 victory at San Jose on Thursday that completed a sweep of a three-game road trip during which it outscored its opponents 15-4.
Los Angeles at Arizona 9:00 PM ET
Save for All-Stars Jeff Carter and reigning Norris Trophy winner Drew Doughty, the Los Angeles Kings haven't skated competitively on the ice at Staples Center for nearly two weeks. The Kings will vie for a winning road trip on Tuesday as they end a pronounced five-game trek with a visit to the Arizona Coyotes.
Colorado at Anaheim 10:00 PM ET
The Anaheim Ducks host the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday with the expectations for each team significantly different as they begin the "second half" of the regular season. Anaheim is third in the Pacific Division, one point behind San Jose and Edmonton and 10 clear of Calgary, with its sights set on the postseason while Colorado owns the fewest points in the NHL and hopes to build for the future as a potentially major seller in advance of the March 1 trade deadline.
Chicago at San Jose 10:30 PM ET
The Chicago Blackhawks are staring up at the Minnesota Wild in the Central Division but will not have a tough road to make up ground when they play eight of their first nine games after the All-Star break away from home. The Blackhawks kick off a six-game road trip with a visit to the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night.