Preview Roundups
December 27, 2014
NY Islanders at Buffalo 7:00 PM ET
After seeing their four-game winning streak come to an end in their last contest, the New York Islanders look to get back on track when they visit the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday. Kyle Okposo scored his team's lone goal in New York's 3-1 loss to Montreal on Tuesday. Okposo, who has three goals and two assists in his last six games overall, netted a tally and set up another in the Islanders 4-3 shootout victory over Buffalo on April 13.
Detroit at Ottawa 7:00 PM ET
The Detroit Red Wings resume their season with a visit to the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. The Red Wings entered the holiday break 11 points ahead of Ottawa, but the Atlantic Division rivals have struggled recently with four wins in their last 10 games. The Senators and Red Wings split the opening two contests of their four-game season series and also split four contests last campaign.
Carolina at Tampa Bay 7:00 PM ET
Center Tyler Johnson has taken over the scoring lead for the Tampa Bay Lightning and will look to extend his point streak to six games when the Carolina Hurricanes visit Saturday. Johnson continues to prosper while playing with long-time linemate Ondrej Palat and 21-year-old Nikita Kucherov, who has produced 10 points over the last seven contests. Tampa Bay has managed only three victories over a nine-game span - one against the Hurricanes - while Carolina is 2-1-1 in the last four.
New Jersey at NY Rangers 7:00 PM ET
The surging New York Rangers look to continue their winning ways when they return from the Christmas break to host the new-look New Jersey Devils on Saturday. Rick Nash has fueled the Rangers' seven-game winning streak, highlighting the spurt with his sixth career hat trick in a 4-2 win over Washington on Tuesday.
Boston at Columbus 7:00 PM ET
The Boston Bruins look to win three straight for the first time in more than five weeks when they visit the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. It's the only road contest in a six-game stretch for the Bruins, who have scored nine goals in their past two after being held to three tallies or fewer 15 times in the previous 17 games. Boston has won seven in a row over the Blue Jackets, including a 4-3 shootout at Columbus on Nov. 21 to cap a three-game winning streak.
Winnipeg at Minnesota 7:00 PM ET
The Minnesota Wild look to salvage the finale of their four-game homestand as they come out of the holiday break to host the Winnipeg Jets in the opener of a home-and-home series Saturday. Minnesota has lost four straight overall, falling at Chicago before beginning the string of games at Xcel Energy Center with overtime defeats against Boston and Nashville.
Washington at Pittsburgh 7:30 PM ET
Scratch one Christmas wish for Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Johnston, who was hoping the three-day holiday break would help bring back some reinforcements for his depleted roster. Instead, Pittsburgh announced that forward Steve Downie and backup netminder Thomas Greiss were diagnosed with mumps in advance of Saturday's matchup against the visiting Washington Capitals. The Penguins have won eight in a row versus the Capitals, including five straight in Pittsburgh.
Dallas at St. Louis 8:00 PM ET
The St. Louis Blues hope getting off the road will help them end a season-high three-game losing streak when they host the Dallas Stars on Saturday. The Blues were KO'd in Colorado 5-0 on Tuesday to cap a three-game skid (0-2-1) in which they permitted 14 goals. "It's really what's been going on for the last little while. Our goals against have been going up through the roof," coach Ken Hitchcock said. "Way too many goals against, way too many easy scoring chances."
Philadelphia at Nashville 8:00 PM ET
Peter Laviolette will see his new team face his former one when the Nashville Predators host the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday. After guiding Philadelphia to a Stanley Cup final appearance in 2010, Laviolette's time in the City of Brotherly Love came to an end just three games into last season as he was replaced by current coach Craig Berube. Laviolette was hired by Nashville in May and has led the club to the third-best record in the Western Conference.
Anaheim at Arizona 8:00 PM ET
The Arizona Coyotes attempt to put together consecutive wins for the first time in over a month when they host the league-leading Anaheim Ducks on Saturday. Arizona, which hasn't claimed back-to-back victories since Nov. 14 and 16, halted a two-game skid Tuesday with a 5-1 triumph at Edmonton. Sam Gagner registered two goals and two assists against his former team as the Coyotes won for just the third time in 13 games - with all three victories coming against the Oilers.
Chicago at Colorado 9:00 PM ET
The Colorado Avalanche attempt to extend their season-high winning streak to four games when they host the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday. Colorado, which had posted back-to-back victories only twice this campaign, registered its third consecutive win on Tuesday - a 5-0 triumph over visiting St. Louis.
Edmonton at Calgary 10:00 PM ET
The Calgary Flames recorded a season-changing win in the last game and look to carry that emotion when they begin a six-game homestand against the struggling Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night. The Flames rallied from three goals down to beat the Los Angeles Kings 4-3 in overtime Monday, snapping a demoralizing eight-game winless streak. “We were pretty thrilled,” Flames rookie left wing Johnny Gaudreau told reporters after his first career hat trick. “The hard work finally paid off.”
San Jose at Los Angeles 10:00 PM ET
The San Jose Sharks look to extend their point streak to seven games when they visit the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday. San Jose had its string of five straight wins snapped Monday but still came away with a point in a 3-2 overtime loss at Anaheim. Melker Karlsson snapped a 1-1 tie with his first NHL goal less than eight minutes into the third period, but the Sharks allowed the tying tally with 4:16 remaining and Ryan Kesler's winner 58 seconds into the extra session.