Preview Roundups
March 28, 2015
Nashville at Washington 12:30 PM ET
The Nashville Predators appear to have regained their footing following an ugly slide and go for their fourth consecutive victory when they visit the Washington Capitals on Saturday. After losing nine of 11 games (2-8-1) and blowing a sizable lead in the Central Division, the Predators have reclaimed first place and hold a one-point lead over St. Louis. Nashville is coming off a pair of impressive victories, knocking off Atlantic Division powers Montreal and Tampa Bay.
NY Rangers at Boston 1:00 PM ET
Henrik Lundqvist could make his long-awaited return to the crease when the New York Rangers visit the Boston Bruins on Saturday afternoon. The 2012 Vezina Trophy winner has been sidelined since Feb. 2 with a vascular injury, but the Metropolitan Division-leading Rangers barely missed a beat during that time.
Anaheim at NY Islanders 1:00 PM ET
The Anaheim Ducks visit the New York Islanders on Saturday afternoon for the penultimate stop on their Eastern Conference road trip. Anaheim has one win in three games on the trip as it continues to struggle against the East (15-13-2). The Islanders haven’t fared much better against Western Conference opponents (14-11-2) and are winless in their last six home games (0-5-1).
San Jose at Philadelphia 1:00 PM ET
The San Jose Sharks look to keep their slim postseason aspirations afloat when they make the sixth stop of their seven-game road trip against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday afternoon. San Jose skated to its second win in six contests with a 6-4 triumph over Detroit on Thursday to remain within earshot of third place in the Pacific Division. Matt Nieto and defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic scored against the Red Wings, and the duo also tallied in a 2-1 victory over Philadelphia on Dec. 2.
Arizona at Pittsburgh 1:00 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Penguins have stumbled badly down the stretch but still remain in contention for second place in the Metropolitan Division as they prepare to host the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday afternoon. The Penguins are only two points behind the New York Islanders in the division with a game in hand despite losing two in a row and six of their last seven (1-5-1). Yet Pittsburgh also is in danger of dropping into the top wild card, leading fourth-place Washington by one point.
Tampa Bay at Detroit 2:00 PM ET
The Detroit Red Wings look to snap out of their funk in the defensive end when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning – the league’s top scoring team – on Saturday afternoon. The Red Wings allowed 11 goals in their last two games and coach Mike Babcock told reporters Petr Mrazek would get the start in net over Jimmy Howard as they try to avoid a season sweep against the Lightning. Tampa Bay saw its four-game winning streak come to an end with a 3-2 loss to Nashville on Thursday.
Ottawa at Toronto 7:00 PM ET
The Ottawa Senators look to bounce back from a rare loss and maintain their hold on a postseason berth when they visit the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. Ottawa had its season-high seven-game winning streak halted Thursday by the New York Rangers, who handed Andrew Hammond his first regulation loss in the NHL with a 5-1 victory.
Florida at Montreal 7:00 PM ET
The Florida Panthers can make the final two games of their road trip even more interesting with a victory at the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday. The Panthers visit Ottawa (Sunday) and Boston (Tuesday), who both have a three-point edge on them for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, but first must take on the top team in the Atlantic Division. Florida knocked off Toronto 4-1 on Thursday while Montreal has dropped two straight (0-1-1) and needs two points to clinch a playoff spot.
New Jersey at Carolina 7:00 PM ET
The New Jersey Devils' postseason aspirations are hanging by a thread, while the Carolina Hurricanes bid adieu to any playoff talk long ago. The Devils look to give their bleak postseason hopes a jolt and snap a three-game skid when they visit their Metropolitan Division rivals on Saturday. New Jersey suffered its third straight setback with a 3-2 overtime loss to Washington on Thursday, falling 11 points behind Ottawa for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Columbus at St. Louis 8:00 PM ET
The St. Louis Blues look to remain in the thick of the race for both the Central Division title and the Presidents' Trophy when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. St. Louis enters the day one point behind Nashville for the division lead, with the Predators visiting Washington in the afternoon.
Los Angeles at Minnesota 8:00 PM ET
The Minnesota Wild did the Los Angeles Kings an enormous favor on Friday night. But Los Angeles shouldn't expect the same charity themselves on Saturday as the Kings visit Minnesota looking to sweep the season series. The Wild have won four in a row, including a 4-2 triumph over Calgary on Friday that prevented the Flames from passing the idle Kings in the race for the third and final automatic playoff spot in the crowded Pacific Division standings.
Buffalo at Colorado 9:00 PM ET
The Colorado Avalanche attempt to keep alive their faint playoff chances when they host the league-worst Buffalo Sabres on Saturday. Colorado, which won the Central Division title last season, is 10 points behind Winnipeg for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference with eight games remaining. The Avalanche snapped their three-game slide Thursday with a 4-1 triumph at Vancouver as captain Gabriel Landeskog and Alex Tanguay each recorded a goal and an assist.
Dallas at Vancouver 10:00 PM ET
There's nothing comfortable about the Vancouver Canucks' lead over the Los Angeles Kings and Calgary Flames in the race for second place in the tight Pacific Division. Saturday's opponent likely won't ease Canucks fans' worries, as Vancouver hosts the Dallas Stars at Rogers Arena. The Canucks have lost six consecutive games against the Stars, who have outscored Vancouver by a ridiculous 25-7 margin over the length of the winning streak.