Preview Roundups
March 04, 2014
Florida at Boston 7:00 PM ET
Tuukka Rask and the Boston Bruins traditionally have dominated the Florida Panthers - and this season has been no exception. The Finn looks to continue the success on Tuesday, when former Bruin Tim Thomas and the Panthers pay a visit to TD Garden. Rask has been in goal for all three victories this season and owns a gaudy 10-1-0 mark with a slim 1.08 goals-against average in his career versus Florida.
Detroit at New Jersey 7:00 PM ET
The Detroit Red Wings may be without their top two players, but they haven't missed a beat since the Olympic break. The Red Wings look to extend their winning streak to three games Tuesday night as they visit the New Jersey Devils. Detroit put together one of its best games of the season by breezing to a 6-1 win over the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, while the Devils look to bounce back after dropping a 4-2 decision to the San Jose Sharks on Sunday.
Dallas at Columbus 7:00 PM ET
The Dallas Stars are holding a slim two-point edge for the final wild-card slot in the Western Conference but they will face an opponent that is playing well when they visit the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night. Dallas improved to 5-1-1 in its last seven games by edging the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 on Monday night to move two points clear of Vancouver for the No. 8 seed. It will mark the first of two matchups between the Stars and the Blue Jackets over the next seven days.
Colorado at Chicago 8:00 PM ET
Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville took a positive approach after learning that right wing Marian Hossa will be out of the lineup for a period of time - beginning with Tuesday's game against the visiting Colorado Avalanche. "Probably 2-3 weeks we're looking at," Quenneville told reporters of Hossa's upper-body injury. "There's going to be some quality ice time shared among the guys (now)." Hossa was injured during the Blackhawks' 5-1 victory over Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Tampa Bay at St. Louis 8:00 PM ET
The St. Louis Blues made a deal for an All Star goaltender, snapped their scoring drought and now look to go on a streak as they prepare to host the struggling Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday. Ryan Miller won his debut in a Blues uniform Sunday, watching his new team net four goals in the final period to beat Phoenix 4-2 after it was shut out in two straight contests. The Lightning are 3-6-0 in their last nine outings after letting a third-period lead get away in a 6-3 loss at Colorado.
Pittsburgh at Nashville 8:00 PM ET
The Nashville Predators will have a familiar face behind the mask when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday. Two-time Vezina Trophy finalist Pekka Rinne has been confirmed to receive the start after being sidelined since Oct. 22 as he addressed an E. Coli infection following hip surgery. The Finn reported no issues after stopping 33-of-35 shots during a two-game conditioning stint with Milwaukee of the American Hockey League.
NY Islanders at Winnipeg 8:00 PM ET
Locked in a fierce battle for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, the Winnipeg Jets vie for their third straight win when they host the New York Islanders on Tuesday in the opener of a three-game homestand. The Jets improved to 5-1-1 in their last seven with a 3-1 victory at Nashville on Saturday and are among four teams separated by three points for No. 8 in the West. “Every game is big down the stretch,” Jets forward Devin Setoguchi said.
Vancouver at Phoenix 9:00 PM ET
A pair of teams mired in ugly tailspins will square off when the Vancouver Canucks visit the Phoenix Coyotes on Tuesday night. Vancouver has lost two straight and nine of 10 (1-8-1) and now sits just on the outside of the playoff picture in the Western Conference - one point ahead of Phoenix, which squandered a two-goal, third period lead to St. Louis on Sunday to extend its losing streak to four games. The teams have split four meetings this season, the home team prevailing in each.
Ottawa at Edmonton 9:30 PM ET
The Edmonton Oilers remain in search of the first win on their five-game homestand when they welcome the Ottawa Senators to Rexall Place on Tuesday. Edmonton has totaled one goal over the first two games of the lengthy stretch at home, dropping a 2-1 overtime decision to Calgary two days after being blanked by Minnesota on Thursday.
Carolina at San Jose 10:30 PM ET
The Carolina Hurricanes attempt to halt five-game losing streak when they wrap up their road trip against the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday. After falling to Montreal just before the Winter Olympics, Carolina returned from the break to drop the first four contests of its five-game trek. The Hurricanes' skid continued Sunday as they allowed the first five goals in a 5-3 loss at Anaheim.