Preview Roundups
March 23, 2015
Los Angeles at New Jersey 7:00 PM ET
A daunting schedule is one obstacle facing the Los Angeles Kings as they open a five-game road trip at the New Jersey Devils on Monday night. The reigning Stanley Cup champions are two points out of third place in the Pacific Division and four points back of the second wild card in the Western Conference, but they play eight of their final 11 away from home. "We’re still in control of our own destiny," captain Dustin Brown said. "We play a lot of these teams that we’re battling with."
Chicago at Carolina 7:00 PM ET
The Chicago Blackhawks look to rebound from an uncharacteristic performance when they visit the struggling Carolina Hurricanes on Monday night. Chicago saw a seven-game point streak end with a 4-0 defeat at Dallas on Saturday and stands four points behind Nashville for second place in the Central Division. The Blackhawks will try to record their second win this month against the Hurricanes, who have followed up a solid February (7-4-1) with a disappointing March (2-5-3).
Minnesota at Toronto 7:30 PM ET
The Minnesota Wild attempt to strengthen their hold on the top wild-card spot in the Western Conference when they visit the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday. Minnesota owns a one-point lead over Winnipeg for the first wild card but also has a chance to gain a higher playoff slot as it trails Chicago by five points for third place in the Central Division.
San Jose at Ottawa 7:30 PM ET
The hamburgers could be flying onto the ice again at the Canadian Tire Centre when the white-hot Ottawa Senators and rookie sensation Andrew Hammond host the San Jose Sharks on Monday night. The surging Senators can overtake Boston for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference as they go for their seventh consecutive victory. Hammond, nicknamed the "Hamburglar," has sparked Ottawa's 14-1-1 tear and has yet to lose in regulation in his 14 career starts (13-0-1).
Buffalo at Dallas 8:30 PM ET
The Dallas Stars have quietly been one of the league’s hottest teams in March and look to extend their winning streak to three when they host the Buffalo Sabres on Monday. The Stars have won seven of their last nine games since losing to Anaheim to open the month and have allowed just one goal in the last two, including a 4-0 victory over Chicago on Saturday. Dallas will try to take advantage of Buffalo, which owns the least points in the league and has one victory in the last 10 contests.
Colorado at Calgary 9:00 PM ET
The Calgary Flames are clinging to a two-point lead for third place in the Pacific Division as they prepare to host the Colorado Avalanche on Monday. The Flames have dropped three of four (1-2-1), including a 3-2 defeat at Colorado on March 14, and realize they will be facing a desperate opponent with slim playoff hopes. "Until you're mathematically eliminated, you're going to keep pushing and trying to make it," Flames defenseman Kris Russell said. "It's a big game on Monday."
Winnipeg at Edmonton 9:30 PM ET
The Winnipeg Jets attempt to match a season high with their fifth straight victory when they visit the Edmonton Oilers on Monday. Winnipeg has rebounded from back-to-back losses at St. Louis and Florida with four consecutive triumphs, including a 3-0 win over Washington on Saturday. Ondrej Pavelec made 28 saves en route to his 13th career shutout and fourth victory in a row as the Jets remained one point behind Minnesota for the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference.