Preview Roundups
March 10, 2015
NY Rangers at NY Islanders 7:00 PM ET
The New York Islanders could have one of their top offensive players back in the lineup when they host the New York Rangers on Tuesday in a crucial Metropolitan Division showdown. According to Newsday, Kyle Okposo - who hasn't played since Jan. 19 due to a detached retina that required emergency surgery - may return to action as the Islanders attempt to extend their division lead over the Rangers to five points.
Dallas at Philadelphia 7:00 PM ET
The Philadelphia Flyers saw their playoff chances take a 1-2 punch to the gut over the weekend and must regroup in a hurry entering Tuesday's game against the visiting Dallas Stars. A crushing overtime loss at Boston on Saturday followed by a lackluster performance in a 5-2 setback at New Jersey 24 hours later dropped Philadelphia into 11th place and seven points out of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. "We don't come to play every night," forward Wayne Simmonds said.
Columbus at Carolina 7:00 PM ET
The Carolina Hurricanes attempt to move one step closer to a season sweep when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday. Carolina won each of the first two meetings between the Metropolitan Division rivals this campaign, posting a 4-2 victory in Columbus on Nov. 4 and recording a 3-2 overtime triumph at home three days later. The Hurricanes have won four of their last six overall contests, including a 7-4 decision against Edmonton on Sunday in which they rallied from a 3-0 deficit.
Tampa Bay at Montreal 7:30 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Lightning look to extend their winning streak to four games when they visit the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday in a battle of the top teams in the Atlantic Division. The Lightning outscored Montreal 11-3 in two victories this season, getting eight pucks past Vezina Trophy candidate Carey Price, after being swept by the Canadiens in the playoffs last April. Montreal comes home after a 1-2-1 road trip and leads Tampa Bay by two points with a game in hand.
Boston at Ottawa 7:30 PM ET
The red-hot Ottawa Senators are breathing a sigh of relief entering Tuesday's key Eastern Conference game against the visiting Boston Bruins. Ottawa squandered a four-goal lead before defeating Calgary 5-4 in a shootout Sunday for its eighth victory in the last nine games (8-0-1), but captain Erik Karlsson wasn't thrilled with the extra work needed to earn two important points.
Winnipeg at St. Louis 8:00 PM ET
The Winnipeg Jets are holding down the second wild card in the Western Conference and trying to stave off a trio of pursuers as they continue a four-game road trip with a visit to the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday. The Jets, who have alternated wins and losses over their last five games, are coming off a 3-1 victory at Central Division-leading Nashville but have had their issues against St. Louis. The Blues have won six consecutive matchups, including both this season.
New Jersey at Minnesota 8:00 PM ET
The Minnesota Wild look to bounce back from a rare loss when they host the New Jersey Devils in the middle contest of their three-game homestand on Tuesday. Minnesota had its five-game winning streak snapped Sunday as its comeback from a three-goal, third-period deficit fell short in a 3-2 loss to Colorado. The Wild, who dropped to 16-3-2 in their last 21 contests, have a one-point lead over Winnipeg for the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference.
Los Angeles at Colorado 9:00 PM ET
The Los Angeles Kings are trying to catch the Winnipeg Jets for the second wild card in the Western Conference, but they must rectify their road struggles with 11 of their final 17 games away from home. The reigning Stanley Cup champions have won only one-third of their road games (10-14-6) heading into Tuesday's matchup at the resurgent Colorado Avalanche. Los Angeles is 5-0-1 in its last six meetings with the Avalanche, including a 4-1 victory at Colorado on Feb. 18.