Preview Roundups
March 15, 2015
Detroit at Pittsburgh 12:30 PM ET
Playing without superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin clearly hampered the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday while the skidding Detroit Red Wings didn't have a convenient excuse for not showing up for their matinee performance. Crosby and Malkin are questionable to return to the ice on Sunday as the Penguins host the Red Wings in a battle of Eastern Conference teams jockeying for postseason position.
Florida at NY Rangers 5:00 PM ET
Although Henrik Lundqvist holds the franchise record for wins and shutouts by a goaltender, the New York Rangers haven't missed a beat since he was felled by a vascular injury. After enjoying a rare night off, workhorse goaltender Cam Talbot will get the nod as the Rangers vie for their fifth straight win when they host the Florida Panthers on Sunday. Talbot, who is 12-2-3 since the Swedish Olympian has been sidelined, has yielded just five goals in his last five starts.
Carolina at Columbus 5:00 PM ET
Having finally snapped a five-game skid at home, the Columbus Blue Jackets will look to make it four straight wins overall when they host the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday in the second matchup between the teams in six days. The Blue Jackets erased a pair of two-goal deficits en route to a 4-3 shootout victory at Carolina on Tuesday. Columbus followed that up with a 3-1 win at Detroit before ending its home skid by outlasting Edmonton 5-4 in a shootout on Friday.
St. Louis at Dallas 6:00 PM ET
After their stay atop the Central Division proved to be brief, the St. Louis Blues look to regain their footing when they open a six-game road trip against the Dallas Stars on Sunday. St. Louis' offense has been stuck in neutral over the last two games, emerging victorious in a 1-0 shootout over Philadelphia on Thursday before dropping a 3-1 decision to Minnesota two nights later. "This time of year, we can't have any excuses," said captain David Backes, who scored the lone goal versus the Wild.
Philadelphia at Ottawa 7:00 PM ET
The Ottawa Senators are making a torrid charge for a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference and go for their 11th victory in 13 games when they host the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday night. With rookie netminder Andrew Hammond playing an unlikely starring role, the Senators continued their playoff push with road victories at division title contenders Montreal and the New York Islanders on Thursday and Friday. Ottawa has allowed more than two goals twice in a 10-1-1 stretch.
Boston at Washington 7:30 PM ET
The top wild card in the Eastern Conference is on the line Sunday night when the surging Boston Bruins pay a visit to the Washington Capitals. The Bruins have ripped off five consecutive victories, matching their season high, and are 7-0-1 in their last eight to pull into a tie with Washington with one game in hand. Boston, which is coming off a 2-0 shutout at Pittsburgh on Saturday afternoon, is only three points behind Detroit for third place in the Atlantic Division.
Nashville at Anaheim 8:00 PM ET
After snapping a three-game skid, the Anaheim Ducks attempt to complete a three-game sweep of the Nashville Predators when the division leaders meet at the Honda Center on Sunday. Jakob Silfverberg scored his career-high 11th goal and added an assist in Anaheim's 2-1 victory over Minnesota on Friday. "Lately, I've been (getting) a lot of confidence from (coach Bruce Boudreau). Been seeing a lot of minutes out there and that's been helping a lot," Silfverberg told the Orange County Register.