Preview Roundups
April 02, 2015
NY Islanders at Columbus 7:00 PM ET
The New York Islanders are sputtering down the stretch, and Thursday's road date with the red-hot Columbus Blue Jackets isn't likely to help in their positioning for the postseason. The Islanders posted just their second win in nine games with a 5-4 victory over Detroit on Sunday.
Washington at Montreal 7:30 PM ET
Alex Ovechkin's goal-scoring surge has the Washington Capitals on the cusp of moving into second place in the Metropolitan Division. After netting his third tally in two contests to reach the 50-goal plateau for the sixth time in his career, Ovechkin looks to continue his hot hand as the Capitals vie for their third straight win when they visit the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday.
Tampa Bay at Ottawa 7:30 PM ET
The Ottawa Senators look to keep their postseason hopes alive and well when they host the playoff-bound Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. The Senators ended a three-game losing streak (0-2-1) with Tuesday’s 2-1 shootout victory at Detroit to remain three points behind Boston for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Boston at Detroit 7:30 PM ET
The Boston Bruins have spent much of the past two weeks trying to hold down the final playoff slot in the Eastern Conference, but they have a chance to move up in the standings when they visit the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday. Riding a three-game winning streak. the Bruins can pull into a tie with Detroit, which holds a two-point lead over Boston for third place in the Atlantic Division.
Carolina at Florida 7:30 PM ET
The Florida Panthers look to remain in playoff contention and complete a sweep of the three-game season series when they host the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday in the opener of their regular season-ending five-game homestand. Florida is clinging to the hope of catching Boston for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, as it trails the Bruins by six points with five games remaining.
Calgary at St. Louis 8:00 PM ET
The St. Louis Blues are trying to avert a repeat of last year's season-ending swoon as they wind up a three-game homestand against the Calgary Flames on Thursday. St. Louis, which lost its final six last season, has dropped two in a row and five of six overall (1-3-2) to fall four points behind Central Division-leading Nashville, albeit with two games in hand.
NY Rangers at Minnesota 8:00 PM ET
Martin St. Louis is expected to return to the lineup as the New York Rangers conclude their brief two-game road trip against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday. "I'm not used to not being part of (the lineup)," the 39-year-old St. Louis told reporters regarding his eight-game absence due to an MCL sprain.
Vancouver at Chicago 8:30 PM ET
The Chicago Blackhawks remain in the hunt for the Central Division title with six games to play. a stretch they will kick off against the visiting Vancouver Canucks on Thursday. The Blackhawks rebounded from lopsided losses to Philadelphia and Columbus with back-to-back wins over Winnipeg and Los Angeles to move within five points of first-place Nashville with two games in hand.
Edmonton at Los Angeles 10:30 PM ET
The Los Angeles Kings attempt to climb back into a playoff spot when they host the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday. Los Angeles enters the contest trailing Winnipeg by two points for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference and Calgary by three for third place in the Pacific Division with a game in hand on both teams.