Preview Roundups
March 12, 2016
NY Islanders at Boston 1:00 PM ET
The New York Islanders saw their four-game winning streak come to a halt as a late goal led to a shootout loss their last time out. New York looks to rebound from just its fourth setback in 15 outings (11-2-2) on Saturday afternoon when it visits the Boston Bruins.
Carolina at Buffalo 1:00 PM ET
The Carolina Hurricanes have battled back into postseason contention due to their ability to win tight games and they'll continue they playoff drive when they visit the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday afternoon in the second of a five-game road trip. Carolina squeezed out a 3-2 overtime win at Boston on Thursday night to draw within four points of Detroit for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
NY Rangers at Detroit 2:00 PM ET
Star forward Rick Nash is on track to make his much-anticipated return to the starting lineup when the New York Rangers pay a visit to the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday afternoon. Nash, who has been sidelined for the past 20 games due to a bone bruise in his left leg, went through a full practice Friday and coach Alain Vigneault said there's a "very good chance" he will play Saturday.
Minnesota at Montreal 7:00 PM ET
Alex Galchenyuk is doing his best to single-handedly keep alive the Montreal Canadiens' flickering postseason aspirations. After seeing Galchenyuk record his third consecutive multi-goal performance and fifth in eight outings, the Canadiens hope he has more in store heading into Saturday's tilt with the visiting Minnesota Wild.
Toronto at Ottawa 7:00 PM ET
The Ottawa Senators need a miraculous finish and plenty of help to get back in the playoff hunt after a 1-3-2 start to March, capped by a 6-2 loss at Florida on Thursday. The defensively challenged Senators will attempt to avoid falling deeper into the hole when they host the league-worst Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday.
Philadelphia at Florida 7:00 PM ET
Jaromir Jagr keeps collecting points and reaching milestones while leading the Florida Panthers as they inch closer to sealing up a spot in the postseason. The 44-year-old right wing looks to follow up a big two-goal performance and stay hot on home ice when the Panthers host the sizzling Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday.
Colorado at Winnipeg 7:00 PM ET
The three-game suspension handed down Thursday to Gabriel Landeskog comes at a bad time for the Colorado Avalanche, considering the team is in a tight battle with Minnesota for the final Western Conference playoff spot. But as the Avalanche travel to Winnipeg for Saturday’s meeting with the Jets, they have confidence the wins will continue – especially if goaltender Semyon Varlamov plays as he did in Wednesday’s 3-0 shutout of Anaheim.
St. Louis at Dallas 9:00 PM ET
The Dallas Stars have reclaimed sole possession of first place in the power-packed Central Division, but they will face one of the teams breathing down their necks when they host the St. Louis Blues on Saturday. The Stars knocked off Chicago 5-2 in a showdown for first place on Friday to move one point ahead of St. Louis and two clear of the Blackhawks.
Arizona at Edmonton 10:00 PM ET
The Edmonton Oilers have escaped the basement of the Western Conference thanks to a recent surge they hope to continue against a struggling division rival as they begin a five-game homestand Saturday against the Arizona Coyotes. Edmonton has won five of its last seven contests to move two points ahead of Winnipeg in the West but has played three more games than the Jets and two more than Calgary, with which it is tied at 61 points.
Nashville at Vancouver 10:00 PM ET
The Nashville Predators attempt to extend their franchise-record point streak and drive another nail in Vancouver's coffin when they visit the Canucks on Saturday. Nashville staged a third-period rally at Calgary on Wednesday to avoid its first regulation loss since Feb. 9 and stretch its point run to 14 games (9-0-5).
New Jersey at Los Angeles 10:30 PM ET
The Los Angeles Kings try to extend their winning streak to eight games versus teams not named the Anaheim Ducks as they complete a five-game homestand Saturday against the New Jersey Devils. First-place Los Angeles is coming off a 4-3 overtime victory over Washington on Wednesday and is one point ahead of Anaheim in the Pacific Division.
Washington at San Jose 10:30 PM ET
The San Jose Sharks are struggling to put the pieces together at SAP Center this season, and the home team could be left scratching its head once again as the NHL-leading Washington Capitals pay a visit on Saturday. San Jose's issues in front of its fans continued on Thursday as it dropped a 3-0 decision to New Jersey to begin a pronounced stretch of playing nine of its next 10 contests at home.