Preview Roundups
April 06, 2017
Ottawa at Boston 7:00 PM ET
The red-hot Boston Bruins have clinched a postseason berth but are still jockeying for position as they prepare to face a potential first-round opponent in the playoffs. The Ottawa Senators have as many points as the Bruins and also hold a game in hand over their Atlantic Division rival, but they have yet to wrap up a playoff slot entering Thursday night's matchup in Boston.
Pittsburgh at New Jersey 7:00 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Penguins were sitting pretty with victories in three in a row to all but clinch home-ice advantage for their upcoming first-round playoff series before the complexion changed in a hurry. One day after announcing offensive-minded defenseman Kris Letang will miss the upcoming postseason with a neck injury, the Penguins will look to regain their composure and complete a five-game regular-season sweep of the New Jersey Devils on Thursday when they visit the Prudential Center.
NY Islanders at Carolina 7:00 PM ET
The New York Islanders look to keep alive their rail-thin postseason hopes on Thursday when they visit the Carolina Hurricanes. New York required an overtime goal to win its third straight contest and will need three more victories in addition to some help to overcome a five-point deficit behind Toronto for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Winnipeg at Columbus 7:00 PM ET
The Columbus Blue Jackets hope Thursday’s home contest against the Winnipeg Jets provides an opportunity to jump-start a lethargic offense that endangered their chances to have home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Columbus lost four games in a row and is 2-4-2 in eight contests since clinching a playoff spot, scoring 12 goals during that stretch.
Tampa Bay at Toronto 7:30 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Lightning attempt to stay alive in the playoff race for at least one more day when they visit the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night. The Lightning need to win all three games, have either Toronto or Ottawa lose three in a row and see the New York Islanders lose once to make the postseason for the fourth straight season after a damaging 4-0 loss at Boston on Tuesday.
St. Louis at Florida 7:30 PM ET
The St. Louis Blues are trying to hold off Nashville for third place in the Central Division as they hit the road for the final time of the regular season with a visit to the skidding Florida Panthers on Thursday. The Blues hold a one-point edge and a game in hand over both the Predators and the wild card-leading Calgary Flames with three games remaining.
Nashville at Dallas 8:30 PM ET
The Nashville Predators have wrapped a spot in the postseason but still are unsure who they will play in the opening round. With potential matchups against three opponents, the paramount concern for the Predators is improving their play with two regular-season games remaining, beginning with Thursday's visit to the Dallas Stars.
Minnesota at Colorado 9:00 PM ET
There isn't much at stake when Colorado hosts the Minnesota Wild on Thursday, although the Avalanche are trying to avoid becoming the worst team in the shootout era. Colorado needs five points in its last three games to avoid recording the fewest in a season since the shootout was implemented in 2006-07, with Buffalo's 52 points in 2013-14 the standard for futility while Minnesota is locked into second place in the Central Division and meets St. Louis or Nashville in the playoffs.
Vancouver at Arizona 10:00 PM ET
The Arizona Coyotes attempt to escape the basement in the Pacific Division when they begin their season-ending two-game homestand Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. Arizona has put together a three-game point streak (2-0-1) to pull within one of Vancouver, which has lost five in a row.
Chicago at Anaheim 10:00 PM ET
Fueled by a pronounced 12-game point streak (9-0-3), the surging Anaheim Ducks can inch closer to their fifth consecutive Pacific Division title on Thursday when they host the Western Conference-leading Chicago Blackhawks. Anaheim sent a message to potential first-round opponent Calgary by completing a home-and-home sweep on Tuesday, extending its home winning streak over the Flames to a staggering 25 consecutive regular-season contests with a 3-1 triumph.
Calgary at Los Angeles 10:30 PM ET
The Calgary Flames could see a familiar face on the ice for the last time Thursday when they play the second contest of a three-game homestand against the Los Angeles Kings. Calgary has lost three of four since former Flames standout Jarome Iginla scored his 100th career game-winning goal in a 4-1 Kings' victory on March 29.
Edmonton at San Jose 10:30 PM ET
The San Jose Sharks still have a slim chance to capture the Pacific Division crown, but they may have to make their attempt without two key players. Logan Couture and Joe Thornton remain day-to-day with facial and knee injuries, respectively, as the Sharks continue their season-ending three-game homestand Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers.