Preview Roundups
December 11, 2016
Ottawa at Anaheim 4:00 PM ET
The Anaheim Ducks' season resembles a rollercoaster ride at nearby Disneyland of late - win two, lose three, win three, lose two and win two, but it all adds up to a 7-3-2 stretch as they host the Ottawa Senators on Sunday. More importantly, Anaheim stabilized a defense that allowed 13 goals in its previous two games in a 3-2 victory over San Jose on Friday while grabbing two key points from a Pacific rival in a division that is suddenly crowded at the top.
Philadelphia at Detroit 5:00 PM ET
The Philadelphia Flyers own an eight-game winning streak for the first time since the 2001-02 season and suddenly find themselves in the upper echelon of the highly-competitive Metropolitan Division as they visit the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday. A one-goal deficit with less than four minutes remaining didn't phase Philadelphia on Saturday as it scored three goals in the final 3:48 to defeat Dallas 4-2 with the first two completing Brayden Schenn's second career hat trick.
Vancouver at Washington 5:00 PM ET
The Washington Capitals are beginning to warm up offensively and look to keep it flowing when they host the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday afternoon. The Capitals have scored 11 goals combined in three straight victories and can extend their point streak to five games while attempting to made up ground in the crowded Metropolitan Division standings.
St. Louis at Minnesota 6:00 PM ET
The St. Louis Blues and Minnesota Wild will put their respective hot streaks on the line Sunday when the Central Division rivals meet at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. St. Louis boasts a 5-1-1 mark in its last seven games to reside two points behind first-place Chicago while third-place Minnesota has won three straight to improve to 5-1-3 in its last nine.
Dallas at Chicago 7:00 PM ET
Injury-depleted Chicago hosts Dallas on Sunday and, while their rival Stars take the United Center ice, the Blackhawks hope to have three of their own marquee players back in action soon. Chicago, which leads the rugged Central Division by two points over second-place St. Louis and 10 over Dallas, is managing to stay afloat without captain Jonathan Toews, top-two defenseman Brent Seabrook and No. 1 goaltender Corey Crawford in the lineup.
Colorado at Toronto 7:00 PM ET
The Colorado Avalanche attempt to wash away the effects of an embarrassing performance when they visit the Toronto Maple Leafs just 24 hours later Sunday night. The Avalanche gave up six goals in the first period en route to a 10-1 loss at Montreal on Saturday, falling for the seventh time in eight games (1-6-1) while managing just 16 shots on goal.
New Jersey at NY Rangers 7:00 PM ET
The New York Rangers remain the talk of the town, not for their lofty standing atop the Metropolitan Division but rather having former Vezina Trophy winner Henrik Lundqvist remain on the bench in favor of Antti Raanta. After sitting out two straight games for the first time since 2013-14, Lundqvist (12-8-1, 2.55 goals-against average) is expected to get the call on Sunday in the latest version of the Hudson River Rivalry as the Rangers host the New Jersey Devils.
Winnipeg at Edmonton 9:30 PM ET
The Edmonton Oilers are banking points despite frustrating losses and look to put two on the board when they return home to take on the Western Canada-rival Winnipeg Jets on Sunday night. The Oilers fought back to tie before losing in a shootout 3-2 at Minnesota on Friday, posting their third point during a four-game losing streak (0-1-3) heading into a tough three-game homestand.