Preview Roundups
April 01, 2014
New Jersey at Buffalo 7:00 PM ET
After defeating one of the Eastern Conference's worst teams, the New Jersey Devils will face the resident cellar dweller when they visit the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday. Travis Zajac recorded his first career hat trick to highlight a four-point performance and Jaromir Jagr scored his 705th career goal and notched three assists in the Devils' 6-3 triumph over Florida on Monday. The victory moved New Jersey within three points of Columbus for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Calgary at Toronto 7:00 PM ET
In just 2 1/2 weeks, the Toronto Maple Leafs have gone from a comfortable spot in the Eastern Conference playoff picture to being dangerously close to missing the postseason altogether. The Maple Leafs are running out of time - and games - as they look to halt a season-long eight-game losing streak against the visiting Calgary Flames on Tuesday. Toronto continued its untimely skid Saturday, dropping a 4-2 decision to the rival Detroit Red Wings.
Florida at NY Islanders 7:00 PM ET
The New York Islanders have been playing spirited hockey of late, posting a 3-0-1 mark in their last four contests. The Islanders look to continue that upward trend on Tuesday, when they attempt to salvage the finale of their three-game regular-season series against the visiting Florida Panthers. Frans Nielsen scored in both regulation and the shootout as New York skated to a 2-1 triumph over New Jersey on Saturday.
Carolina at Pittsburgh 7:00 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Penguins conclude their stretch of playing six of seven games at home when they welcome the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday. Metropolitan Division-leading Pittsburgh went 1-3-0 on a four-game homestand, needing overtime for its only victory, before edging the Blue Jackets 2-1 in Columbus. The Penguins returned home to post a 4-1 triumph over Chicago.
Dallas at Washington 7:00 PM ET
Two teams in similar positions in the playoff picture face off Tuesday, when the Dallas Stars visit the Washington Capitals. Both clubs are one point out of the second wild-card spot in their respective conferences, with Dallas trailing Phoenix in the West and Washington behind Columbus in the East. The Stars have a game in hand on the Coyotes, while the Capitals have played one more contest than the Blue Jackets.
Colorado at Columbus 7:00 PM ET
The Columbus Blue Jackets try to take another step toward their second Stanley Cup playoff appearance in team history when they host the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday. Red-hot Ryan Johansen has three goals in his last three games and his overtime tally gave Columbus a 3-2 victory at Carolina on Saturday. The Blue Jackets hold down the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference - one point ahead of Washington with a game in hand on the Capitals.
Montreal at Tampa Bay 7:30 PM ET
The Montreal Canadiens visit the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday in a battle of red-hot teams that are likely to meet in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Montreal has won eight of its last nine and leads the Lightning by two points for second place in the Atlantic Division, although the Canadiens have played one more game.
Philadelphia at St. Louis 8:00 PM ET
After testing the mettle of one Presidents' Trophy contender, the Philadelphia Flyers hit the road to face another on Tuesday as they visit the Central Division-leading St. Louis Blues. Philadelphia gave red-hot Boston all it could handle on Sunday as Vincent Lecavalier scored two goals, including the tying tally late in the third period, before suffering a 4-3 shootout loss.
NY Rangers at Vancouver 10:00 PM ET
The Vancouver Canucks are in desperation mode with six games left as they host former coach Alain Vigneault and the surging New York Rangers on Tuesday night. The Canucks are five points behind Phoenix for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference with five games to go on home ice – four against teams currently in playoff position – after going 3-1-1 in their last five.
Winnipeg at Phoenix 10:00 PM ET
The Phoenix Coyotes attempt to maintain their hold on a postseason berth when they host the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday. Phoenix resides in the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference, one point ahead of Dallas - which has one game in hand. The Coyotes had their three-game point streak halted Saturday as they dropped a 3-1 home decision to Minnesota and sit five points behind the Wild.
Edmonton at San Jose 10:30 PM ET
The San Jose Sharks continue their unlikely quest for their fifth division title in seven seasons when they begin a three-game homestand against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. San Jose has seen its lead over Anaheim in the Pacific turn into a three-point deficit thanks to a 1-2-2 stretch. The Sharks had their six-game road point streak halted Saturday as they dropped a 3-2 decision in Colorado.