Preview Roundups
December 29, 2016
Boston at Buffalo 7:00 PM ET
The Boston Bruins have played markedly better on the road than at home, although they have enjoyed success against the next opponent no matter the venue. The Bruins will wrap up a four-game road trip with a visit to the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night, looking to notch their sixth consecutive victory in the series against their Atlantic Division rival.
New Jersey at Washington 7:00 PM ET
The Washington Capitals are struggling to climb the ladder in the top-heavy Metropolitan  primarily due to their puzzling performances against division representatives. With eight losses in 12 contests (4-5-3) versus Metro rivals, the Capitals look to remain in the thick of race on Thursday when they host the opener of a home-and-home series with the cellar-dwelling New Jersey Devils.
Toronto at Tampa Bay 7:30 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Lightning hope to build off one of their most inspiring victories of the season when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday in the second game of back-to-back sets for both teams. The Lightning rallied to score twice against Carey Price and Montreal in the final nine minutes of regulation on Wednesday before Tyler Johnson netted his second goal of the game for a 4-3 overtime triumph.
Montreal at Florida 7:30 PM ET
The Montreal Canadiens remain in search of their first victory on a seven-game road trip that continues Thursday against the division-rival Florida Panthers. Montreal, which sits atop the Atlantic despite a three-game overall winless streak, fell to 0-1-1 on its trek Wednesday as it squandered a two-goal lead in the third period and suffered a 4-3 overtime loss at Tampa Bay.
Detroit at Ottawa 8:00 PM ET
The Detroit Red Wings have tumbled to the bottom of the Atlantic Division standings and hope getting away from home will reverse their fortunes when they kick off a seven-game road trip with a visit to the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night. The Red Wings earned their first win of the season with a 5-1 rout of Ottawa on Oct. 17 in their only meeting thus far.
Chicago at Nashville 8:00 PM ET
The Chicago Blackhawks may be seeing their tenuous grip on the Central Division lead slipping away, but they made sure to keep reigning Calder Trophy winner Artemi Panarin under wraps on Wednesday. With the sides agreeing to a two-year, $12 million contract, Panarin looks to continue his torrid stretch on Thursday as the visiting Blackhawks attempt to snap a season-high three-game skid against the Nashville Predators.
NY Islanders at Minnesota 8:00 PM ET
The Minnesota Wild have been downright stingy this season, allowing an NHL-best 1.94 goals per contest as a team while yielding just 18 during their franchise-best 11-game winning streak. Devan Dubnyk will look to post his career-best 10th straight victory on Thursday as the Wild return home to face the New York Islanders, who pierced Minnesota for a season-high six goals in the first meeting.
Columbus at Winnipeg 8:00 PM ET
The Columbus Blue Jackets’ 13-game winning streak is edging into historical territory, but captain Nick Foligno insists the focus must remain on the next challenge, which comes Thursday at the Winnipeg Jets. “When you start getting caught up in all the stuff, that’s when the game can fool you,” Foligno cautioned to reporters after the Blue Jackets beat Boston 4-3 on Tuesday, moving Columbus within one win of the fourth-longest streak in NHL history.
Colorado at Dallas 8:30 PM ET
The Dallas Stars have points in four straight games for only the second time this season as they prepare to open a three-game homestand against the slumping Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night. The Stars are seeking their first three-game winning streak of the season while looking to beat Colorado for the third straight time.
Anaheim at Calgary 9:00 PM ET
The Anaheim Ducks still are in the middle of the race for first place in their division despite a see-saw campaign and look to snap a three-game winless streak when they visit the Pacific-rival Calgary Flames on Thursday. The Ducks won five of seven contests before managing a total of only four goals losses to Montreal, Ottawa and San Jose, with the latter two coming in overtime.
Los Angeles at Edmonton 9:00 PM ET
The Los Angeles Kings hope to end their marathon of a road trip on a winning note when they wrap up the nine-game trek against the Pacific Division-rival Edmonton Oilers on Thursday. Los Angeles dropped to 3-3-2 on the lengthy excursion with Wednesday's 2-1 loss at Vancouver, which halted its three-game point streak (1-0-2).
NY Rangers at Arizona 9:00 PM ET
The New York Rangers routinely have been around the high-water mark with their offense this season while the Arizona Coyotes' limited goal production has often left them dehydrated in the desert. The high-octane Rangers will look for more of the same on both fronts Thursday when they open a brief two-game road trip against the cellar-dwelling Coyotes at Gila River Arena.