Preview Roundups
February 21, 2019
Washington at Toronto 7:00 PM ET
The Toronto Maple Leafs have refused to let two straight setbacks extend to a three-game losing skid on eight separate occasions this season. The Maple Leafs look to nip their latest two-game streak in the bud on Thursday when they bid for a season sweep of the visiting Washington Capitals.
Carolina at Florida 7:00 PM ET
The Carolina Hurricanes hit a speed bump last time out despite recording 44 shots on net and look to resume their climb toward a playoff position in the Eastern Conference when they visit the surging Florida Panthers on Thursday. The Hurricanes suffered a 2-1 loss at home against the New York Rangers on Tuesday after winning six of their previous seven games, remaining one point out for the final wild-card spot.
Ottawa at New Jersey 7:00 PM ET
The Ottawa Senators own the worst record in hockey but perhaps no team is garnering more attention throughout the league as the NHL inches closer to Monday's trade deadline. With their top three forwards all headed for free agency after the season, trade rumors continue to swirl around the Senators as they prepare to visit the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night.
Minnesota at NY Rangers 7:00 PM ET
The Minnesota Wild are free-falling back to the pack in the race for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, the victims of a swoon that has produced one win in their last 10 games since the All-Star break. Mired in a five-game losing streak, the Wild will attempt to avoid a third consecutive shutout when they visit the New York Rangers on Thursday night.
San Jose at Pittsburgh 7:00 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Penguins are relying on a pair of familiar faces in their quest to improve their standing in the Metropolitan Division. Former Hart Trophy recipients Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin look to continue their torrid ways as the Penguins bid for their fifth win in six outings on Thursday against the visiting San Jose Sharks.
Philadelphia at Montreal 7:30 PM ET
The Philadelphia Flyers' fast track toward success over the last month saw a rare misstep in the last outing, with celebrated rookie Carter Hart receiving an unexpected seat on the bench midway into the first period. After surrendering three goals on nine shots, Hart and the Flyers look to regain their footing on Thursday when they visit the Montreal Canadiens.
Buffalo at Tampa Bay 7:30 PM ET
The Buffalo Sabres have gone from being one of the best surprise stories in the league to a fading team six points out of a playoff spot and it won’t get any easier when they visit the NHL-best Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night. The Sabres have dropped three straight and are 8-15-2 in their last 25 games after giving up four goals in the third period of Tuesday’s 4-2 loss at Florida.
Los Angeles at Nashville 8:00 PM ET
Monday's trade deadline serves as an elephant in the room - a distraction for some clubs but Christmas day for others who need a final piece in their postseason equation. The Nashville Predators have already made a big move - literally - in acquiring 6-foot-7 center Brian Boyle from New Jersey and could have more deals up their sleeve as they continue to jockey for playoff position by hosting the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday.
St. Louis at Dallas 8:30 PM ET
Records continue to tumble for the rampaging St. Louis Blues, who are in the midst of a franchise-record winning streak entering Thursday night's matchup at the Dallas Stars. St. Louis has ripped off 11 consecutive victories and has not trailed in its past eight contests to zip past the Stars and surge into third place in the Central Division.
NY Islanders at Edmonton 9:00 PM ET
The New York Islanders failed to tighten their grip on first place in the Metropolitan Division in the opener of their three-game trek through Western Canada and now hope to at least maintain their three-point lead when they visit the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday. New York suffered its second loss in seven contests as it dropped a 4-2 decision to Calgary on Wednesday.
Arizona at Vancouver 10:00 PM ET
Few expected the Arizona Coyotes and Vancouver Canucks to be major players in the Western Conference playoff landscape but the winner of Thursday's clash in British Columbia could find themselves tied for the final wild-card spot. Arizona and Vancouver trail Chicago and Colorado by two points and are one behind slumping Minnesota, which plays the Rangers in New York on Thursday, in a crowded wild-card race that features six teams separated by four points