Preview Roundups
December 31, 2016
Buffalo at Boston 1:00 PM ET
One could understand if the Boston Bruins are lamenting the fact that Saturday's matchup against the visiting Buffalo Sabres is the last of the season between the Atlantic Division rivals. Boston has won the first three meetings by a combined 10-3 score as it seeks a sweep of the season series in the second leg of a home-and-home in a matinee at TD Garden.
Washington at New Jersey 1:00 PM ET
The Washington Capitals dominated the Metropolitan Division in 2015-16 to the tune of collecting at least a point in 25 of 30 contests (20-5-5), but the pendulum has shifted swiftly in the other direction this season. After dropping nine of 13 games (4-5-4) versus division rivals, Washington heads north in a bid to salvage the back end of a home-and-home set against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday afternoon.
Columbus at Minnesota 6:00 PM ET
A heavyweight matchup with historical implications will unfold on New Year's Eve at Xcel Energy Arena in St. Paul, Minn., when the rampaging Columbus Blue Jackets put their 14-game winning streak on the line against the red-hot Minnesota Wild, who have reeled off 12 consecutive victories. Saturday's matchup marks the first time that two teams in any of the four major North American pro sports will square off with each having won at least 12 in a row.
NY Islanders at Winnipeg 7:00 PM ET
The New York Islanders visit the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday in a matchup of sub-.500 teams that missed opportunities Thursday to snap opponents’ long winning streaks. New York allowed three goals in an 80-second span of the second period in falling at Minnesota 6-4, ending the Islanders’ three-game winning streak, while the Jets could not slow down Columbus in a 5-3 home defeat.
Carolina at Tampa Bay 7:00 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Lightning look to continue earning points during an important stretch of their schedule when they host the surging Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday. The Lightning have recorded points in five of their last six games with an injury-depleted roster but must rebound from a disjointed performance in a 3-2 overtime loss to Toronto at home on Thursday.
Montreal at Pittsburgh 7:00 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Penguins can cap a December to remember as they vie for their fourth straight win on Saturday against the visiting Montreal Canadiens. Pittsburgh has enjoyed a scintillating 11-1-2 run to keep white-hot Columbus in its sights in the top-heavy Metropolitan and looks to avenge an early-season 4-0 setback to Atlantic Division-leading Montreal.
NY Rangers at Colorado 8:00 PM ET
The Colorado Avalanche have one last chance to avoid going winless at home for the month of December, but they will face a tough task against the New York Rangers on Saturday night. The skidding Avalanche have dropped nine in a row at home (0-8-1), including an 0-6-0 mark at Pepsi Center this month, and own the fewest points (25) in the league.
Florida at Dallas 8:00 PM ET
Tyler Seguin has ignited the Dallas Stars on their five-game point streak (4-0-1), highlighting that stretch with two goals and an assist his last time out. The 24-year-old Seguin looks to continue to the Stars' ascent as they attempt to extend their season-high winning streak to four games on Saturday against the visiting Florida Panthers.
Arizona at Calgary 10:00 PM ET
After seeing their modest two-game winning streak come to a halt against one Pacific Division opponent, the Calgary Flames look to continue their dominance over another on Saturday when they host the reeling Arizona Coyotes. Mikael Backlund scored his team's lone goal in Thursday's 3-1 setback to Anaheim for his eighth point (five goals, three assists) in five games, a stretch that began with a goal in a 4-2 victory at Arizona on Dec. 19.
Vancouver at Edmonton 10:00 PM ET
The Edmonton Oilers look to extend their point streak to six games when they host the Pacific Division-rival Vancouver Canucks on Saturday. Edmonton improved to 4-0-1 over its last five contests by posting a 3-1 home triumph over Los Angeles on Thursday despite the fifth scoreless performance in eight games by Connor McDavid.
San Jose at Los Angeles 10:30 PM ET
Two division rivals streaking in opposite directions face off Saturday when the Pacific-leading San Jose Sharks visit the Los Angeles Kings for the opener of a home-and-home series. San Jose will hate to see December come to a close, as it enters its final contest of the month with a four-game winning streak and eight victories in its last nine contests.