Preview Roundups
March 05, 2016
Minnesota at Buffalo 1:00 PM ET
After defeating one struggling Eastern Conference representative, the Minnesota Wild look to continue their winning ways against another located toward the basement when they visit the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday afternoon. Captain Mikko Koivu and Mikael Granlund each scored on the power play as Minnesota posted its third straight win with a 2-1 victory over Toronto on Thursday.
Calgary at Pittsburgh 3:00 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Penguins look to continue their torrid play at home on Saturday afternoon when they welcome the spiraling Calgary Flames on Saturday afternoon. Pittsburgh improved to 12-2-2 in its last 16 at Consol Energy Center with a 4-1 victory over the New York Rangers on Thursday to extend its lead to five points over Philadelphia for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Nashville at Colorado 3:00 PM ET
The Nashville Predators look to rebound from a morale-sapping defeat when they kick off a five-game road trip with a visit to the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday afternoon. The Predators had their five-game winning streak halted by New Jersey on Thursday night after allowing a tying goal in the final minute of regulation before falling in overtime.
Anaheim at Los Angeles 4:00 PM ET
The thought of Saturday afternoon's contest between the visiting Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings deciding first place in the Pacific Division would have been laughable two months ago. Los Angeles owned a 15-point lead over Anaheim on Jan. 2, but the Ducks are 24-4-2 since Christmas - 11-1-2 on the road - and riding a franchise record-tying 10-game winning streak which has moved them into a tie atop the division with the Kings.
Washington at Boston 7:00 PM ET
After knocking off the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Boston Bruins look to upend this season's odds-on favorite when the NHL-leading Washington Capitals pay a visit to TD Garden on Saturday. Brad Marchand continued his torrid stretch on Thursday by scoring his 18th goal in 22 games as Boston posted its fourth win in five outings with a 4-2 triumph over Chicago.
Ottawa at Toronto 7:00 PM ET
The Ottawa Senators are trying to stay in the hunt for the final playoff slot in the Eastern Conference, but Saturday's matchup at the Toronto Maple Leafs will feature a more prominent storyline. All eyes will be on Senators defenseman Dion Phaneuf, who returns to Toronto for the first time since last month's blockbuster trade.
Carolina at Tampa Bay 7:00 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Lightning had a team meeting immediately after a sloppy 6-5 shootout victory over Winnipeg on Feb. 18. The Lightning ironed out plenty of things in those few minutes, responding to allow just eight goals in seven contests since, and can set a franchise record with their ninth straight victory when they host the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday.
Columbus at Philadelphia 7:00 PM ET
The Philadelphia Flyers attempt to keep alive their postseason hopes as they continue their season-high six-game homestand Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Philadelphia sits five points behind Metropolitan Division-rival Pittsburgh for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference after a 4-0 loss to Edmonton on Thursday dropped it to 3-1-0 on its string of home games.
Montreal at Winnipeg 7:00 PM ET
The season has not unfolded the way Carey Price and the Montreal Canadiens envisioned, but last season’s Hart Trophy winner provided some glimmer of hope as they prepare to play Saturday at the Winnipeg Jets. Sidelined since Nov. 25 with a lower-body injury, Price told reporters Thursday his rehabilitation is progressing and he hopes to return to the ice before season’s end.
Florida at Arizona 9:00 PM ET
The Florida Panthers will attempt to finish a disappointing road trip with a victory when they visit the slumping Arizona Coyotes on Saturday. The Panthers suffered a 3-2 defeat at Colorado on Thursday to lose for the third time over the first four games of the trek (1-2-1) and fall behind Tampa Bay for the top spot in the Atlantic Division.
Vancouver at San Jose 10:00 PM ET
Familiarity is breeding success for the San Jose Sharks, who will look to knock off the Vancouver Canucks for the third time in seven days when the Pacific Division rivals complete a home-and-home series Saturday night in northern California. San Jose posted its NHL-leading 23rd road victory with a come-from-behind 3-2 win in Vancouver on Thursday night.