Preview Roundups
March 19, 2015
San Jose at Toronto 7:30 PM ET
The San Jose Sharks’ 10-season playoff streak is in severe jeopardy as they prepare to visit the struggling Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday. The Sharks dropped their last two and have six contests left on a seven-game road trip while standing six points behind Winnipeg for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. The Maple Leafs could be the best medicine for San Jose after being outscored 14-5 in three consecutive losses and winning only eight of their last 40 games.
Carolina at Montreal 7:30 PM ET
Carey Price is the odds-on favorite to claim the Vezina Trophy this season and his name isn't too far removed from the discussion for the Hart Trophy as well. The Montreal Canadiens goaltender likely won't receive too much of an argument from the Carolina Hurricanes as the teams conclude their three-game season series at the Bell Centre on Thursday. Price has turned aside 53 of 55 shots to win both meetings this season and improve to 8-1-1 in his last 10 contests versus Carolina.
Boston at Ottawa 7:30 PM ET
Rookie Andrew Hammond can shatter a 76-year-old NHL record and, more importantly, help the Ottawa Senators pull within two points of the second wild card in the Eastern Conference when they host the Boston Bruins on Thursday night. Hammond has allowed two goals or fewer in his first 12 starts, matching the mark set by Boston's Frank Brimsek (1938-39). The "Hamburglar" has yet to lose in regulation (11-0-1) for Ottawa, which trails the Bruins by four points.
Detroit at Florida 7:30 PM ET
If the Detroit Red Wings are going to improve their chances of home-ice advantage in the opening round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, they'll have to do it without one of the best players in the league. The Red Wings' four-game road swing heads to the Sunshine State on Thursday as they tangle with the Florida Panthers. Detroit is coming off an impressive 5-1 win over Pittsburgh, but will be without star forward Pavel Datsyuk for the next two games.
Washington at Minnesota 8:00 PM ET
The Washington Capitals and Minnesota Wild each went the extra mile to win their second straight game and are clinging to three-point leads for the first wild-card spot in their respective conferences. The teams look to bolster their playoff aspirations at the other's expense when they meet at Xcel Energy Center on Thursday. Devan Dubnyk made 25 saves in a 3-2 overtime victory over Nashville on Tuesday and also turned aside 25 shots in a 2-1 triumph over Washington on March 5.
St. Louis at Winnipeg 8:00 PM ET
The St. Louis Blues have taken over first place in the Central Division and are in the mix for the top seed in the Western Conference thanks to their 12-2-1 mark away from home since Jan 3. Winners of five of six overall, the Blues continue their six-game road trip with a visit to the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night. St. Louis, which holds a one-point lead over Nashville in the division, has won 10 of its last 11 meetings with the Jets - including five of six in Winnipeg.
Pittsburgh at Dallas 8:30 PM ET
The goals have dried out for the reeling Pittsburgh Penguins, and the offensive drought could leave them settling for an Eastern Conference wild-card spot. Pittsburgh looks to halt an ugly three-game losing skid Thursday night as they visit the Dallas Stars in the second of two meetings on the season. Playing without Evgeni Malkin, the Penguins are coming off a 2-0 defeat in New Jersey and have been outscored by a 9-1 margin over the length of the losing streak.
Philadelphia at Calgary 9:00 PM ET
One of five teams separated by four points for the last four playoff spots in the Western Conference, the Calgary Flames can't afford a third consecutive defeat when they host the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday. Calgary opened a five-game homestand by surrendering three third-period goals in a 4-0 loss to St. Louis on Tuesday. The Flames won at Philadelphia 3-2 in overtime on March 3, but they are seeking their first victory at home over the Flyers in 14 years.
Columbus at Vancouver 10:00 PM ET
The Vancouver Canucks vie for their fifth win in six outings when they wrap up a five-game homestand against Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday. Alex Burrows scored twice in a 17-second span in the third period as Vancouver won its second straight with a 4-1 triumph over reeling Philadelphia on Monday. Burrows' impressive performance was aided by being elevated to the top line with captain Henrik and Daniel Sedin after Zack Kassian (undisclosed) was injured during the morning skate.
Colorado at Arizona 10:00 PM ET
The Colorado Avalanche are likely going to remain on the outside of the Western Conference playoff picture - but that hasn't prevented the team from ending its season on a high. The Avalanche seek their 11th win in 15 games Thursday night as they visit the woeful Arizona Coyotes. Colorado sits seven points outside a playoff spot, but is coming off impressive one-goal wins over the New Jersey Devils and Calgary Flames.