Preview Roundups
December 29, 2014
Detroit at Boston 7:00 PM ET
The Boston Bruins have won only four of 12 games in December but hope to turn things around when they open a three-game homestand Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. The Bruins turned in an ugly performance coming out of the Christmas break, absorbing a 6-2 beating in Columbus. “We just need to be better, collectively and individually,” Boston coach Claude Julien said. “There’s too much underperforming from our group right now."
Pittsburgh at New Jersey 7:00 PM ET
One Metropolitan Division team will end its three-game slide Monday, when the Eastern Conference-leading Pittsburgh Penguins visit the New Jersey Devils. Pittsburgh, which owns a two-point lead over the New York Islanders in the division, fell to 0-2-1 in its last three with a 3-0 home loss to Washington on Saturday.
Washington at NY Islanders 7:00 PM ET
After riding high on a four-game winning streak, the New York Islanders have watched a pair of seemingly comfortable leads slip away en route to losing back-to-back contests. The Islanders look to stop the bleeding when they host the Metropolitan Division-rival Washington Capitals on Monday.
Montreal at Carolina 7:00 PM ET
The Montreal Canadiens return from the Christmas break to resume their season with a visit to the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday. Carolina has the fewest points in the East with 24 and a dismal 5-13-4 record against conference opponents. Montreal began its five-game road trip with a victory at the New York Islanders prior to the holiday break and should be well-rested after five days off.
Buffalo at Ottawa 7:30 PM ET
The Buffalo Sabres have not participated in the Stanley Cup playoffs since 2011 and while that streak doesn't appear to be in jeopardy this season, they are showing signs that it won't be much longer before it ends. Buffalo, which visits the Ottawa Senators on Monday, snapped a four-game losing streak (0-3-1) with a 4-3 shootout victory over the New York Islanders on Saturday after overcoming a 3-0 deficit in the third period for only the second time in franchise history.
Toronto at Tampa Bay 7:30 PM ET
The two top-scoring teams in the league meet for the second time this season when the Toronto Maple Leafs visit the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday. The Lightning have not been as productive of late while averaging 2.2 goals over the last 10 contests, but they can finish a perfect three-game homestand with a victory after enduring a 2-5-1 stretch. The Maple Leafs have cooled off with four losses in five games after allowing four third-period goals in a 6-4 defeat at Florida on Sunday.
Colorado at St. Louis 8:00 PM ET
Mired in their worst slump of the season, the St. Louis Blues attempt to snap a four-game losing streak (0-3-1) when they host the Colorado Avalanche on Monday night. The Blues also have a chance to avenge their most lopsided defeat of the campaign, a 5-0 setback at Colorado last Tuesday in the finale of a three-game road trip. St. Louis has been allowing goals in buckets, surrendering 18 tallies during the four-game skid.
Minnesota at Winnipeg 8:00 PM ET
The Winnipeg Jets attempt to complete a sweep of the home-and-home series when they host the Minnesota Wild on Monday. Winnipeg avenged an overtime loss in the first meeting of the season between the Central Division rivals by defeating host Minnesota in the extra session on Saturday. Captain Andrew Ladd led the Jets to victory with a shot from the high slot that deflected off a defender's stick and hit the glass, then bounced off the top of the net and the back of goaltender John Curry.
Nashville at Chicago 8:30 PM ET
The Nashville Predators will end 2014 with a pair of rugged tests against Central Division rivals, beginning with Monday's road game at the surging Chicago Blackhawks. The Predators have won 11 of 15 and trail first-place Chicago by two points. “We know what’s at stake then and right after that we have St. Louis at home," forward Taylor Beck said. "We want to worry about Chicago first, but looking at both games, those are certainly two great hockey teams.”
NY Rangers at Dallas 8:30 PM ET
Derek Stepan and the surging New York Rangers aim to continue their torrid play when they visit the Dallas Stars on Monday. Stepan recorded his third career hat trick and extended his point streak to five games as the Rangers skated to their eighth straight win, a 3-1 triumph over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.
Los Angeles at Calgary 9:00 PM ET
After having a week to reflect, the Los Angeles Kings look to avenge one of their most disappointing losses of the season when they visit the Calgary Flames on Monday. Los Angeles built a 3-0 lead against the Flames at home last Monday before rookie Johnny Gaudreau recorded a natural hat trick and captain Mark Giordano completed the comeback at 4:07 of overtime.
Philadelphia at Arizona 9:00 PM ET
The Arizona Coyotes have stepped up their game defensively to record back-to-back victories after dropping 10 of their previous 12 contests. The Coyotes look to continue their recent good fortune when they host the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday. Making his fifth start in six games, Devan Dubnyk yielded just one goal in both victories while stopping 61 total shots - including 35 in Arizona's 2-1 shootout triumph over league-leading Anaheim on Saturday.