Preview Roundups
December 11, 2014
Chicago at Boston 7:00 PM ET
Captain Zdeno Chara is expected to be in the lineup for the first time in nearly seven weeks when the Boston Bruins host the streaking Chicago Blackhawks in a rematch of the 2013 Stanley Cup final on Thursday. Sidelined since tearing the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on Oct. 23, the towering defenseman practiced with the club on both Tuesday and Wednesday and could provide a jolt for a team that went 11-7-1 in his absence.
Calgary at Buffalo 7:00 PM ET
The Calgary Flames entered last weekend riding a four-game winning streak built on the strength of sensational goaltending and defense. But the back end has shown cracks in back-to-back losses, and the Flames are in danger of dropping three straight for the first time all season as they visit the Buffalo Sabres in a Thursday night encounter. Calgary surrendered seven combined goals to San Jose and Toronto after allowing just five over its previous four games.
New Jersey at Philadelphia 7:00 PM ET
Buried in 13th place in the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia Flyers need to take advantage of a four-game homestand that begins with a matchup against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday. It is a critical juncture for Philadelphia, which has lost 10 of its last 11 away from home and has an eight-game road trip looming after this homestand. The Flyers have lost four straight at home to the Devils, including a 6-4 defeat on Oct. 9.
Columbus at Washington 7:00 PM ET
The Columbus Blue Jackets hope to extend their hot streak when they visit the Washington Capitals on Thursday. Columbus has won four straight to start December as it tries to climb back into playoff contention. Washington is on a three-game winning streak and has claimed its last four home games against the Blue Jackets, including a 4-2 victory on Nov. 11.
Los Angeles at Ottawa 7:30 PM ET
The Ottawa Senators have been inconsistent at best since their stunning playoff victory over Montreal in the 2013 postseason and coach Paul MacLean paid the price for it when he was fired Monday morning. Dave Cameron will make his debut as an NHL head coach when the Senators host the reigning Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings on Thursday. MacLean's dismissal came, ironically, one day after Ottawa ended a five-game losing streak.
Carolina at Tampa Bay 7:30 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Lightning look to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season when they host the struggling Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday. The Lightning, among the league leaders in points with 39, have dropped two straight at home for the first time since April and attempt to win for the eighth time in nine games against Carolina. The Hurricanes managed just one goal while losing each of their last three contests and own the fewest points in the Eastern Conference (19).
NY Islanders at St. Louis 8:00 PM ET
Back-to-back losses may not be a major cause of concern for the New York Islanders, but the manner in which they occurred is a bit alarming. After blowing a three-goal lead for the second straight game, the Islanders look to get back on track when they visit the St. Louis Blues on Thursday in the second matchup between the teams in six days. The Blues erased a 3-0 deficit and scored three third-period goals in Saturday's 6-4 win on Long Island.
Winnipeg at Colorado 9:00 PM ET
The Winnipeg Jets attempt to extend their point streak to eight games when they visit the struggling Colorado Avalanche on Thursday. Winnipeg improved to 5-0-2 since falling in regulation to St. Louis on Nov. 23 with a 5-2 triumph at Dallas on Tuesday as rookie Adam Lowry scored twice in a 2:19 span in the second period to snap a tie. Another victory during the Jets' current run came against Colorado on Friday, when Bryan Little registered his second career hat trick and added an assist.
Nashville at Arizona 9:00 PM ET
Mike Ribeiro and the Nashville Predators look to continue their respective hot streaks when they visit the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday. Ribeiro set up a pair of goals as Nashville skated to a 3-0 triumph over Colorado on Tuesday for its sixth win in eight games. The 34-year-old, who has scored three goals and set up four others in his last five contests, also had a tally and an assist in the Predators' 4-3 shootout victory over his former team in visiting Arizona on Oct. 21.
Minnesota at San Jose 10:30 PM ET
The San Jose Sharks look to extend their winning streak at SAP Center as they continue their five-game homestand against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday. San Jose kicked off its string of home contests Tuesday and earned a split of its home-and-home series against Edmonton with a 5-2 triumph. Joe Pavelski registered his fourth two-goal performance - and second in four games - and Logan Couture notched a tally and an assist as the Sharks won for the fourth straight time in their own building.