Preview Roundups
March 26, 2015
Anaheim at Boston 7:00 PM ET
The Boston Bruins are mired in a five-game losing streak that has left them on the outside of the playoff picture and face a stern test when they host the Pacific Division-leading Anaheim Ducks on Thursday. The Bruins are one point behind Ottawa for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference, with the Senators holding a game in hand. "The next nine games is what’s going to decide whether we want to make a run for it, and be there," coach Claude Julien said. "It’s in our hands.”
Arizona at Buffalo 7:00 PM ET
While better than half the league continues to jockey for playoff positioning as the regular season winds down, the Arizona Coyotes and Buffalo Sabres are engaged in a much different battle as they face off Thursday night in Western New York. The Sabres sit last in the NHL with just 47 points - giving them the best statistical chance of securing the top pick in this year's draft. The Coyotes are five points ahead of Buffalo following Tuesday's 5-4 win over Detroit.
Los Angeles at NY Islanders 7:00 PM ET
The Los Angeles Kings look to continue their late surge toward a postseason berth when they play the third contest of their five-game road trip against the New York Islanders on Thursday. Los Angeles defeated both New Jersey and the New York Rangers to open the trek and improved to 7-2-2 in its last 11 contests. "To start off this road trip with four points is huge for us," veteran Marian Gaborik said after scoring a goal in a 4-2 win over the Rangers.
New Jersey at Washington 7:00 PM ET
The Eastern Conference wild card-leading Washington Capitals attempt to remain within reach of a higher playoff spot when they host the New Jersey Devils on Thursday in the finale of their five-game season series. Washington is three points ahead of Ottawa for the first wild card but has its sights set on Pittsburgh, which it trails for third place in the Metropolitan Division by three points.
Pittsburgh at Carolina 7:00 PM ET
Five losses in their last six games (1-4-1) have the Pittsburgh Penguins sputtering in the latter stages of the regular season. The Penguins can right the ship and sail in the right direction when they visit the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday. Pittsburgh won two of the first three meetings between the Metropolitan Division rivals this season and 10 of the last 13 overall - including five of six in Raleigh, N.C.
Florida at Toronto 7:30 PM ET
The Florida Panthers have a new team to pursue in their quest for an Eastern Conference playoff spot. The Panthers look to gain ground on the streaking Ottawa Senators as they visit Air Canada Centre on Thursday night for a date with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Florida had been chasing the Boston Bruins for the final wild-card berth, but the Bruins' five-game skid - coupled with Ottawa's seven-game winning streak - has put the Senators in the spotlight.
NY Rangers at Ottawa 7:30 PM ET
The New York Rangers slowly are looking toward the future, while there is no time like the present for the Ottawa Senators. The white-hot Senators vie for their season-high eighth straight victory when they host the Rangers on Thursday in a potential first-round playoff matchup. Riding an impressive 15-1-1 stretch, Ottawa holds a one-point lead over Boston in the race for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
San Jose at Detroit 7:30 PM ET
The San Jose Sharks haven't missed the playoffs since the 2002-03 season but their streak appears to be in serious jeopardy with nine games remaining on the schedule. The Sharks are 10 points out of the second wild card in the Western Conference as they prepare to visit the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night in the fifth stop of a seven-game road trip. "We're not good enough right now to compete against good teams in the NHL," center Logan Couture said.
Nashville at Tampa Bay 7:30 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Lightning can reach 100 points for the fourth time in their history and will go for their franchise-record 47th victory when they host the Nashville Predators on Thursday. The Lightning are 8-1-1 in the last 10 outings and have won four straight while reducing their magic number to three points for clinching a playoff spot. Tampa Bay comes in one point behind first-place Montreal in the Atlantic Division and Nashville is one back of St. Louis for the top spot in the Central.
Montreal at Winnipeg 8:00 PM ET
The Montreal Canadiens attempt to maintain their lead in the race for the Presidents' Trophy when they visit the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday. The first team in the NHL to reach 100 points this season, Montreal enters the matchup one ahead of the quartet of Anaheim, St. Louis, Tampa Bay and the New York Rangers in the tightly contested battle for the top overall seed.
Colorado at Vancouver 10:00 PM ET
The Vancouver Canucks seek their fourth consecutive victory as they continue their three-game homestand Thursday against the Colorado Avalanche. Vancouver opened its string at Rogers Arena with a 5-2 triumph over Winnipeg on Tuesday as Radim Vrbata scored two goals and set up another while captain Henrik Sedin recorded a tally and two assists.