Preview Roundups
April 10, 2014
Buffalo at NY Rangers 7:00 PM ET
After defeating one sputtering team in their last outing, the New York Rangers look to improve their standing when they host the woe-begotten Buffalo Sabres on Thursday. Brad Richards scored a pair of power-play goals and Martin St. Louis notched three assists in New York's 4-1 victory over Carolina on Tuesday. The Rangers already have clinched a postseason berth but are clinging to a two-point lead over third-place Philadelphia in the Metropolitan Division.
Washington at Carolina 7:00 PM ET
With the Washington Capitals eliminated from the playoffs for the first time since 2006-07, there's widespread speculation that the team's most valuable commodity could be traded in the offseason. If true, captain Alex Ovechkin could be staring at his final three games in a Washington uniform, starting with Thursday night's visit to the Carolina Hurricanes.
NY Islanders at Montreal 7:30 PM ET
The Montreal Canadiens look to strengthen their hold on home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs when they host the New York Islanders on Thursday. Montreal owns a three-point lead for second place in the Atlantic Division over Tampa Bay, which has one game in hand. The Canadiens settled for one point Wednesday, dropping a 4-3 overtime decision at Chicago after squandering a lead with 48 seconds remaining in the third period.
New Jersey at Ottawa 7:30 PM ET
The New Jersey Devils tied a franchise record they would rather forget, failing to make the playoffs for a second straight season - the first time that's occurred since 1985-87. Detroit and Columbus wrapped up the final two playoff slots in the Eastern Conference on Wednesday night, rendering New Jersey's visit to the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night meaningless. This marks the third time in four seasons that the Devils will be spectators when the postseason begins.
Philadelphia at Tampa Bay 7:30 PM ET
The Philadelphia Flyers and host Tampa Bay Lighting will meet on Thursday with plenty on the line despite already clinching spots in the postseason. The Flyers have won two straight and are even in points with Columbus for third place in the Metropolitan Division - two points behind the second-place New York Rangers. The Lightning will be without injured No. 1 goalie Ben Bishop as they try to make up a two-point deficit on second-place Montreal in the Atlantic Division.
Toronto at Florida 7:30 PM ET
The Toronto Maple Leafs continue their season-ending road trip with a visit to the Florida Panthers on Thursday. The Maple Leafs were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention on Tuesday, while the Panthers own the second-worst record in the league. Both teams are 2-8-0 in their last 10 games.
Phoenix at Nashville 8:00 PM ET
The Phoenix Coyotes are doing their best to play themselves out of the postseason chase and will carry a five-game losing streak (0-2-3) into Thursday's matchup at the Nashville Predators. The Coyotes trail Dallas by two points - with a game in hand - and are trying to stay alive in the playoff hunt until they host the Stars in the regular-season finale. "The bottom line is now we’re in a situation where we’ve got to win out," Phoenix coach Dave Tippett said. "That’s just the way it is."
St. Louis at Minnesota 8:00 PM ET
With a Stanley Cup playoff berth tucked safely in their pocket, the Minnesota Wild do not seem to have much for which to play when they host the St. Louis Blues on Thursday. Minnesota, though, may want to end its nine-game losing streak to St. Louis before a possible first-round matchup. The Wild are the top wild card team in the Western Conference and will play the division winner with the fewest points, with St. Louis trailing Anaheim by one point to be the best in the West.
Boston at Winnipeg 8:00 PM ET
With the top seed in the Eastern Conference already under wraps, the Boston Bruins look to inch closer to securing the Presidents' Trophy when they visit the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday. The Bruins have taken their foot off the gas of late, falling for the third time in four contests with a 4-3 shootout loss to Minnesota on Tuesday. Patrice Bergeron continued his torrid stretch, scoring his 29th goal to extend his career-best point streak to 12 games.
Los Angeles at Edmonton 9:30 PM ET
The Los Angeles Kings have two games left to get things turned around before they take on the San Jose Sharks in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Losers of three straight and four of five, the Kings begin the process when they take on the Edmonton Oilers in the finale of their four-game road trip on Thursday. Los Angeles has gone 0-2-1 over the first three games of its trek, scoring a total of five goals in the setbacks.
Colorado at Vancouver 10:00 PM ET
The Colorado Avalanche attempt to keep alive their chances for their first division title since 2002-03 as they continue their season-ending four-game road trip against the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday. Colorado is two points behind St. Louis for the top spot in the Central and two ahead of third-place Chicago.