Preview Roundups
October 25, 2014
Buffalo at San Jose 4:00 PM ET
It isn’t bad enough for the Buffalo Sabres that they’re languishing near the bottom of the NHL standings - now they have to contend with one of the highest-scoring teams in the league. Buffalo continues its four-game road trip Saturday afternoon as it tangles with the host San Jose Sharks. The Sabres have scored just one goal during their four-game skid, while the Sharks have dropped three in a row despite entering Friday with a league-high 27 goals.
Boston at Toronto 7:00 PM ET
A shaky start to the season took a turn for the worse for the Boston Bruins, who will be without captain Zdeno Chara for four to six weeks with a torn ligament in his left knee. Chara was hurt in Thursday's home loss to the New York Islanders, but the team tried to put a positive spin on the news in advance of Saturday's game at the Toronto Maple Leafs. "It's obviously a blow," general manager Peter Chiarelli said. "But I'd rather have it four to six weeks than four to six months."
NY Rangers at Montreal 7:00 PM ET
The Montreal Canadiens will try to complete a perfect four-game homestand when the New York Rangers visit on Saturday. Montreal skated to a 2-1 overtime triumph against Detroit on Tuesday to win its third straight contest after opening the season with three victories in four road games. The Rangers are also riding a three-game winning streak following some uneven performances from starting netminder Henrik Lundqvist.
New Jersey at Ottawa 7:00 PM ET
The Ottawa Senators attempt to get back to matters on the ice Saturday, when they host the New Jersey Devils. Ottawa saw its contest against provincial-rival Toronto postponed on Wednesday after shooting broke out at the National War Memorial and Parliament, resulting in the death of a guard. Ottawa, in conjunction with the Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens, will honor the victims, as well as those who stopped the attacker, in a coordinated pregame ceremony.
Dallas at NY Islanders 7:00 PM ET
John Tavares and the New York Islanders have jumped out of the blocks in a hurry, and Saturday's date with the visiting Dallas Stars may not slow them down. The captain recorded a hat trick in New York's 7-3 victory over Dallas on Jan. 6 before scoring the go-ahead goal with 1:24 remaining in the third period of a 4-2 triumph six days later.
Detroit at Philadelphia 7:00 PM ET
Fresh off a successful road trip, the Philadelphia Flyers attempt to continue their home dominance of the Detroit Red Wings when the clubs face off at Wells Fargo Center on Saturday. Philadelphia went 2-1-0 on its three-game trek, picking up its first two victories of the season after getting off to an 0-2-2 start. Sean Couturier scored a goal and set up two others while R.J. Umberger added a tally and an assist as the Flyers posted a 5-3 triumph at Pittsburgh on Wednesday.
Chicago at St. Louis 8:00 PM ET
A first-round playoff loss to Chicago is still fresh in the minds of the St. Louis Blues, who have a chance to extract some revenge when they host the Blackhawks on Saturday. The big question for the Blues is whether they will be up to the task physically due to a bacterial infection sweeping through the locker room that forced eight players to miss Friday's practice. "I've never seen this before," coach Ken Hitchcock said. "But we're not using that as an excuse for giving up odd-man rushes."
Pittsburgh at Nashville 8:00 PM ET
The Nashville Predators look to remain the only team without a regulation loss when they wrap up their three-game homestand against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. Nashville has begun the season with a point streak that reached seven games (5-0-2) with Thursday's 3-2 triumph over Chicago. James Neal singlehandedly erased a 1-0 deficit by registering a natural hat trick as the Predators handed the Blackhawks their first setback in regulation.
Tampa Bay at Minnesota 8:00 PM ET
Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Drouin joined forces Friday night to lead Tampa Bay to victory - and perhaps provide a glimpse into what Lightning fans can expect for years to come. But a repeat performance Saturday could prove challenging as the Lightning wrap up a five-game Western Conference road trip with a date against the Minnesota Wild. Tampa Bay is 3-1-0 on the trek, but will have its hands full against a Wild team that has allowed just four goals in five games.
Florida at Arizona 9:00 PM ET
The Arizona Coyotes have dropped three in a row and hope to end the skid when they host the Florida Panthers on Saturday in their only home tilt during a seven-game stretch. The Coyotes have managed to score only four goals during the three-game losing streak, prompting Friday's promotion of forward Justin Hodgman, who led the team with four goals during the preseason. Arizona has had its way against the Panthers, going 6-1-1 in the last eight and winning both matchups last season.
Washington at Calgary 10:00 PM ET
The Calgary Flames attempt to extend their point streak to four games Saturday as they continue their five-game homestand against the Washington Capitals. Calgary improved to 2-0-1 over its last three contests with a 5-0 triumph over Carolina on Thursday, when Sean Monahan scored his first two goals of the season and Jonas Hiller posted his 22nd career shutout. Hiller made 16 saves en route to his first blanking as a member of the Flames, who are 1-0-1 on their homestand.