Preview Roundups
December 23, 2016
Buffalo at NY Islanders 7:00 PM ET
Although the New York Islanders occupy the cellar of the Eastern Conference, Anders Lee's spirited play has the 26-year-old forward moving on up after a sluggish start to the season. With 11 goals in his last 14 games after mustering just one in his previous 18, Lee looks to continue his hot hand on Friday as the Islanders welcome former teammate Kyle Okposo and the Buffalo Sabres to the Barclays Center.
Minnesota at NY Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Minnesota Wild coach Bruce Boudreau has one goal remaining as his team surges toward the Christmas break. After tying the franchise mark with nine straight wins, the red-hot Wild look to set the record outright on Friday when they visit the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
New Jersey at Pittsburgh 7:00 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils experienced distinctly different emotions after seeing their respective gaudy streaks come to an end on Thursday. After a lopsided loss halted a 10-game overall point stretch (8-0-2) and eight-game home point streak (7-0-1), the Penguins look to get back on track Friday when they host a Devils team that ended a seven-game winless skid (0-6-1) with a shutout.
Tampa Bay at Washington 7:00 PM ET
The Washington Capitals will need more players to get involved in the offense in order to reach their goals this season, and that has yet to be accomplished on a consistent basis. The Capitals have managed three goals in two losses since a six-game winning streak and hope to put together a big performance before the Christmas break when they host the suddenly rejuvenated Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday.
Montreal at Columbus 7:00 PM ET
The white-hot Columbus Blue Jackets are riding high with the best record in the NHL and an 11-game winning streak following an eye-opening demolition of the defending Stanley Cup champions. Columbus, tied for the most points in the league with Chicago (with four games in hand), faces another heavyweight matchup when it hosts the Atlantic Division-leading Montreal Canadiens on Friday night.
Detroit at Florida 7:30 PM ET
The Detroit Red Wings continue to search for answers and the top form they displayed when winning six consecutive games back in October. Detroit has dropped five of its last six contests, and a struggling power play is not helping a cold offense as it prepares to conclude a postponement-shortened two-game road trip Friday against the Florida Panthers.
Boston at Carolina 7:30 PM ET
The Carolina Hurricanes have gone six weeks without losing in regulation at home, a streak they will put on the line when they host the Boston Bruins on Friday night in the final game before the Christmas break. The Hurricanes have points in nine consecutive games (8-0-1) at PNC Arena and have not lost in regulation at home since Nov. 10.
Colorado at Chicago 8:30 PM ET
The Chicago Blackhawks attempt to begin a new point streak when they continue their four-game homestand Friday against the Colorado Avalanche. Chicago, which entered Thursday atop the league with 48 points, earned at least one in seven consecutive contests (6-0-1) before dropping a 4-3 decision to Ottawa on Tuesday to fall to 1-1-0 on the current stretch at United Center.
Los Angeles at Dallas 8:30 PM ET
The Dallas Stars reside on the outside of the playoff picture in the Western Conference and, surprisingly, one of the biggest reasons is an inconsistent offense. The Stars led the league in scoring in 2015-16, but goals have been harder to come by this season as they prepare to host the stingy Los Angeles Kings on Friday.
Vancouver at Calgary 9:00 PM ET
The Vancouver Canucks aim to end their three-game road losing streak when they visit the Calgary Flames on Friday. Vancouver, which is coming off a 4-1 home loss to Winnipeg on Thursday after defeating the visiting Jets by the same score two days earlier, has allowed 15 goals while scoring eight during its skid away from Rogers Arena.
Toronto at Arizona 9:00 PM ET
The Arizona Coyotes seek the first win on their five-game homestand Friday as they face off against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Arizona has lost three straight overall and each of the first two contests of the stretch at Gila River Arena, including a 3-2 decision against Edmonton on Wednesday.
Edmonton at San Jose 10:30 PM ET
The Edmonton Oilers look to extend their winning streak to four games when they visit the San Jose Sharks on Friday night in a showdown for first place in the Pacific Division. The Oilers will be attempting to wrap up a perfect three-game road trip after ending a long streak of futility at Arizona on Wednesday, beating the Coyotes in regulation for the first time in 26 meetings.