Preview Roundups
March 03, 2016
Chicago at Boston 7:00 PM ET
The Boston Bruins close out a three-game homestand by meeting the top teams in each conference, starting with a visit from the Western-leading Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday. The Bruins, who host the Eastern-best Washington Capitals on Saturday, have won three of their last four contests – allowing one goal in each triumph.
Calgary at Buffalo 7:00 PM ET
Two teams looking toward the future will have several outstanding young players on display when the Buffalo Sabres host the Calgary Flames on Thursday. The Sabres are 1-3-1 in their last five games to stand 15th in the Eastern Conference and the Flames have dropped six straight (0-5-1) to fall out of contention for a playoff spot in the West.
Edmonton at Philadelphia 7:00 PM ET
After seeing his rookie season interrupted by a serious injury sustained against the Philadelphia Flyers, Connor McDavid will look to exact a measure of revenge when his Edmonton Oilers visit the City of Brotherly Love on Thursday. The top overall pick of the 2015 draft, McDavid began the season with a flourish before suffering a broken clavicle in the Oilers' 4-2 win over the Flyers on Nov. 3.
NY Rangers at Pittsburgh 7:00 PM ET
Henrik Lundqvist celebrated his 34th birthday on Wednesday by being named to Team Sweden's preliminary roster for the World Cup of Hockey. "The King" will look to continue the party on Thursday as the red-hot New York Rangers visit the Metropolitan Division-rival Pittsburgh Penguins.
Minnesota at Toronto 7:30 PM ET
The Minnesota Wild have taken advantage of the opportunity to climb into a playoff spot and aim to remain there as they kick off a brief two-game road trip Thursday against the cellar-dwelling Toronto Maple Leafs. Minnesota posted a victory over Atlantic Division-leading Florida on Sunday and followed two days later with a 6-3 triumph over Colorado that pushed it past the Avalanche for the second wild card in the Western Conference.
Tampa Bay at Ottawa 7:30 PM ET
The Ottawa Senators must put together a similar run to last season if they are to reach the playoffs again as they prepare to host the red-hot Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. The Senators are 5-1-1 in their last seven contests to pull within five points of the final playoff spot in the East and Tampa Bay has won seven straight games.
New Jersey at Nashville 8:00 PM ET
With a five-game road trip looming on the horizon, the surging Nashville Predators go for their season-high sixth consecutive victory when they host the sliding New Jersey Devils on Thursday night. Nashville is riding a 10-game point streak (7-0-3) to seize a firm hold on the seventh slot in the Western Conference, seven points ahead of No. 8 Minnesota.
NY Islanders at Winnipeg 8:00 PM ET
A season-long seven-game road trip has not slowed the New York Islanders, who visit the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday looking to win for the fifth time in six games since leaving home. The Islanders used a strong performance from goaltender Thomas Greiss in Tuesday’s 3-2 victory at Vancouver, moving three points ahead of Pittsburgh for third place in the Metropolitan Division.
Florida at Colorado 9:00 PM ET
The Florida Panthers are trying to hold off intrastate rival Tampa Bay for first place in the Atlantic Division as they continue their five-game road trip with a visit to the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night. The Panthers improved to 1-1-1 on their trek with a 3-2 victory at Winnipeg on Tuesday to maintain a two-point edge over the Lightning.
Anaheim at Arizona 9:00 PM ET
If not for a disastrous first month of the season during which it won once in 10 games (1-7-2), the Anaheim Ducks likely would be running away with the Pacific Division and challenging the Washington Capitals for the Presidents' Trophy. Anaheim, which has pulled even in points with division-leading Los Angeles, looks to stretch its winning streak to double digits when it visits the struggling Arizona Coyotes on Thursday.
San Jose at Vancouver 10:00 PM ET
The San Jose Sharks will continue to get to know the Vancouver Canucks in a short amount of time as the Pacific Division rivals play the second of three contests this week with Thursday's tilt in British Columbia. San Jose began the week with Sunday's 4-1 victory in Vancouver and will host the Canucks on Saturday before having a home-and-home series to end the month.
Montreal at Los Angeles 10:30 PM ET
The Los Angeles Kings kick off a five-game homestand when they meet the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday and must put Sunday's 4-2 loss in Anaheim behind them while not looking ahead to Saturday afternoon's meeting with their red-hot Pacific Division rival. Los Angeles owned a 15-point lead on Jan. 2 as it bids for its first division title since capturing the Smythe Division crown in 1990-91 but has seen the Ducks draw even with 20 games remaining.