Preview Roundups
February 06, 2016
Washington at New Jersey 1:00 PM ET
It's scary to imagine that Alex Ovechkin and Braden Holtby - the best players on the NHL's top team - might be even better when the Washington Capitals visit the New Jersey Devils on Saturday. Both admitted to being a bit rusty after Thursday's 3-2 victory over the New York Islanders in their first regular-season game in more than a week, but that didn't prevent Ovechkin from scoring the game-winner and Holtby - the Vezina Trophy favorite - from making 24 saves.
NY Rangers at Philadelphia 1:00 PM ET
Philadelphia Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds has been scorching hot of late and a date with the New York Rangers isn't expected to slow him down. With six goals and three assists during his five-game point streak, Simmonds looks to send the Flyers to their fourth straight win on Saturday afternoon when they host the Metropolitan Division-rival Rangers.
Edmonton at Montreal 2:00 PM ET
The Montreal Canadiens were arguably the NHL’s best team during the season’s first two months with four regulation losses in 26 contests. Things have slowly fallen apart since and the Canadiens are in complete freefall with nine losses in the last 10 games as they prepare to host the rejuvenated Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.
NY Islanders at Detroit 2:00 PM ET
Mired in a five-game losing skid at Joe Louis Arena, the Detroit Red Wings look to pick themselves off the mat on Saturday afternoon when they open a five-game homestand versus the New York Islanders. Detroit didn't fare much better in its brief jaunt through the Sunshine State, falling to both Tampa Bay and Florida to drop to 2-4-1 in the last seven games overall.
Buffalo at Boston 7:00 PM ET
The Boston Bruins squeezed out a shootout win at Buffalo on Thursday night in the first leg of a home-and-home set, but playing the back end in their own arena doesn't exactly translate to an advantage. The Bruins will look to reverse their season-long struggles at TD Garden when they host the Sabres in Saturday night's rematch.
Toronto at Ottawa 7:00 PM ET
The Ottawa Senators are searching for answers in the defensive end of the rink as their playoff hopes continue to fade away. The Senators, who allow a league-worst 3.15 goals per game through Thursday, are desperate for points after losing five of the last six contests as they prepare to host the improving Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night.
Pittsburgh at Florida 7:00 PM ET
Vincent Trocheck has emerged as another big offensive threat for the Florida Panthers, and the 22-year-old center looks to extend his goal-scoring streak to five games Saturday against the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins. Trocheck leads the way with 17 tallies for the Atlantic Division-leading Panthers, who have won five straight contests.
Minnesota at St. Louis 8:00 PM ET
A pair of Central Division rivals who are mired in deep offensive funks will square off Saturday when the St. Louis Blues host the reeling Minnesota Wild. The Blues have managed to produce only five goals in their last five games while the Wild, losers of four in a row, have scored only 16 tallies during a miserable 1-8-1 stretch.
San Jose at Nashville 8:00 PM ET
The San Jose Sharks attempt to continue their surge toward the top of the Pacific Division when they visit the Nashville Predators on Saturday. San Jose went 8-0-2 over its final 10 games in January and began this month by splitting the first two contests of its four-game road trip to climb within seven points of Los Angeles for the top spot in the Pacific.
Chicago at Dallas 8:00 PM ET
After a franchise-best 12-game winning streak helped the Chicago Blackhawks move into first place, the Dallas Stars would like to continue their recent hot streak on Saturday when the Central Division rivals meet at American Airlines Center. Dallas, which resides three points behind Chicago with three games in hand, has won three in a row - including the first two contests of five straight against division representatives.
Winnipeg at Colorado 10:00 PM ET
As if the struggling Winnipeg Jets do not have enough going against them, they will face an old nemesis Saturday as they begin a stretch of eight of their next 10 games on the road against the Colorado Avalanche. Colorado's Semyon Varlamov, who has not played since Jan. 23 due to a legal matter, has posted a 1.67 goals-against average in beating the Jets three times this season.
Calgary at Vancouver 10:00 PM ET
The Vancouver Canucks look to end a three-game slide and salvage the finale of their three-game homestand when they host the Pacific Division-rival Calgary Flames on Saturday. All three of Vancouver's setbacks have been by one goal, including Thursday's 2-1 shootout defeat to Columbus.