Preview Roundups
February 20, 2015
Vancouver at New Jersey 7:00 PM ET
The New Jersey Devils continue their six-game homestand when they face off against the Vancouver Canucks on Friday. New Jersey kicked off its stretch at Prudential Center in winning fashion as it posted a 2-1 shootout victory over Buffalo on Tuesday. Patrik Elias scored a power-play goal in regulation before Scott Gomez and Jacob Josefson tallied in the bonus format as the Devils halted their four-game losing streak.
Toronto at Carolina 7:00 PM ET
While a host of Eastern Conference teams jockey for playoff positioning, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes are engaged in a separate battle altogether. With both clubs sitting in the bottom-five of the overall standings, Friday's matchup between the Maple Leafs and the host Hurricanes could have major ramifications in the race for the No. 1 pick in this summer's draft. Toronto is in the running for that pick, having gone 2-16-2 in its previous 20 games.
NY Rangers at Buffalo 7:00 PM ET
After being extended into the shootout in their last contests, the New York Rangers and Buffalo Sabres won't have much time to reflect on their performances when they reconvene at First Niagara Center on Friday. Porous weather conditions resulted in the originally scheduled game to be postponed on Nov. 21, although Western New York hardly is balmy at this time of year as well.
Boston at St. Louis 8:00 PM ET
After seeing their winless streak reach five games (0-3-2) by falling to the Western Conference's worst team, the Boston Bruins encounter the unenviable task of facing one of its best when they visit the St. Louis Blues on Friday. Clinging to a one-point lead over Florida for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East, Boston secured a lone point against both Alberta representatives to drop to 0-1-2 on its season-high five-game road trip.
Colorado at Chicago 8:30 PM ET
The Chicago Blackhawks continue their season-high eight-game homestand when they face off against the Colorado Avalanche on Friday. Chicago has earned at least one point in each of the first five contests of the lengthy stretch at United Center, going 2-0-3 - with one of the victories coming in a shootout. The Blackhawks dropped a 3-2 decision to Detroit in the bonus format on Wednesday but picked up a point thanks to Kris Versteeg's tying goal with 1:23 remaining in the third period.
Anaheim at Calgary 9:00 PM ET
The Anaheim Ducks look to right the ship when they visit the Pacific Division-rival Calgary Flames on Friday. Anaheim has lost five of its last six contests, including back-to-back home setbacks against Washington on Sunday and Tampa Bay three nights later. Patrick Maroon gave the Ducks the lead on Wednesday, but the club allowed four goals while being outshot 20-5 in the second period as it lost for the third time in four home games.
Minnesota at Edmonton 9:00 PM ET
Devan Dubnyk has been a revelation since joining the Minnesota Wild in a trade with Arizona. On Friday night, he'll get a chance to show his other former team just how far he has come as he and the Wild visit the Edmonton Oilers. Dubnyk was cast aside by both the Oilers and Coyotes but has invigorated his career with the Wild, posting an 11-2-1 record with a 1.73 goals-against average while vaulting Minnesota back into the Western Conference playoff race.