Preview Roundups
December 13, 2014
Ottawa at Boston 1:00 PM ET
The return of captain Zdeno Chara wasn't enough to prevent the Boston Bruins from falling for the sixth time in eight games (2-5-1). The Bruins hope that the potential presence of David Krejci in the lineup could alter their fortunes when they host the Ottawa Senators on Saturday afternoon. Sidelined since Oct. 23 with a knee injury, Chara logged over 24 minutes in his return in Boston's 3-2 setback to streaking Chicago on Thursday.
Carolina at Philadelphia 1:00 PM ET
The Carolina Hurricanes will try to avoid a fifth straight loss when they visit the Philadelphia Flyers for a Saturday matinee. The Hurricanes are struggling on the road with a 3-10-2 record and have fallen to the bottom of the Metropolitan Division with two wins in their last 10 games. The Flyers haven’t fared much better but have points in their last four games (2-0-2) and are 7-4-2 at home.
Florida at Buffalo 7:00 PM ET
It's been a while since anyone was able to say it, but the Buffalo Sabres are one of the hottest teams in the NHL heading into Saturday night's encounter with the visiting Florida Panthers. Buffalo opened the season with just three wins in its first 18 games but has caught fire of late, entering the weekend with victories in eight of its last 11 contests. That includes a 4-3 triumph over the Calgary Flames last time out, a game in which Buffalo was outshot 45-19.
Detroit at Toronto 7:00 PM ET
Two of the hottest teams in the Eastern Conference do battle at the Air Canada Centre on Saturday night when the host Toronto Maple Leafs tangle with the Original Six-rival Detroit Red Wings. The Maple Leafs come in with points in eight of their last nine games (7-1-1), a stretch that includes a pair of victories over the Red Wings. Detroit has been no slouch itself, having gone 7-1-2 in its last 10 despite back-to-back extra-time losses to Toronto and the Florida Panthers.
Chicago at NY Islanders 7:00 PM ET
The Chicago Blackhawks have ripped off eight consecutive victories and can complete a perfect four-game road trip when they pay a visit to the slumping New York Islanders on Saturday. Chicago improved to 11-1-0 with a 3-2 victory at Boston on Thursday to become the first team in the league to reach 20 wins. Captain Jonathan Toews had to exit Thursday's game when he was knocked headfirst into the boards, but is traveling with the team to Long Island.
Tampa Bay at Washington 7:00 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Lightning begin perhaps their toughest stretch of the season when they visit their former Southeast Division-rival Washington Capitals on Saturday. The Lightning have gained points in nine of 13 road games to date, but will be severely tested with 11 of the next 15 away from home – eight of them against teams currently in playoff position in the Eastern Conference. The Capitals look to extend their point streak to five games and beat Tampa Bay for the second time in five days.
Pittsburgh at Columbus 7:00 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Penguins again will be without their captain when they attempt to slow down the host Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. Sidney Crosby will miss his second game in as many nights as he deals with an undisclosed illness that has left the superstar with a swollen right cheek. Pittsburgh prevailed without its co-leading scorer on Friday as it posted a 3-1 triumph over visiting Calgary.
Anaheim at Winnipeg 7:00 PM ET
The league-leading Anaheim Ducks look to continue their perfect month when they visit the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday. Anaheim closed out November with back-to-back losses but has begun December with six straight victories, including a 4-2 triumph at Edmonton on Friday in the opener of its five-game Canadian road trip. Captain Ryan Getzlaf and defenseman Sami Vatanen each recorded a goal and an assist as the Ducks completed a sweep of the home-and-home series.
Minnesota at Arizona 8:00 PM ET
The Arizona Coyotes look to snap a season-high four-game losing streak and even their season series with the Minnesota Wild when the clubs meet at Gila River Arena on Saturday. Arizona would be wise to shore up its short-handed troubles as it has yielded seven power-play goals over the last six contests.
New Jersey at Dallas 8:30 PM ET
The Dallas Stars are hoping three days off will help them reverse their current swoon as they host another struggling club in the New Jersey Devils on Saturday. Dallas has been off since a 5-2 home loss to Winnipeg on Tuesday, marking its fifth setback in six games and continuing an ugly trend of giving up five goals in each defeat. The Stars won at New Jersey 3-2 in a shootout on Oct. 24 to end a three-game skid versus the Devils.
St. Louis at Colorado 10:00 PM ET
The St. Louis Blues attempt to extend their winning streak to four games when they visit the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday. St. Louis has scored six goals twice during its run, both times against the New York Islanders. The second occurrence took place on Thursday, when Alex Steen ignited a four-goal third period - and snapped a 2-2 tie - with his second of the night at 4:32.
NY Rangers at Vancouver 10:00 PM ET
After seeing a once-promising road trip skid off the rails, the Vancouver Canucks hope to get back on track when they open a four-game homestand against the New York Rangers on Saturday night. Surprising Vancouver was perched atop the Pacific Division following a 3-0 victory at Pittsburgh on Dec. 4 but dropped the final three on its seven-game trek. The Canucks have lost four in a row to the Rangers, including two straight in Vancouver.
Nashville at San Jose 10:30 PM ET
The San Jose Sharks aim to remain perfect on their homestand as they host the Nashville Predators on Saturday. After dropping a 2-1 decision at Edmonton on Sunday, San Jose exacted revenge with a 5-2 triumph in the back end of their home-and-home series two days later - and the opener of its five-game homestand.