Preview Roundups
November 12, 2015
Colorado at Boston 7:00 PM ET
Frank Vatrano grew up watching the Bruins some 90 miles from Boston in his hometown of East Longmeadow, Mass., and the 21-year-old wears the spoked B home sweater for the first time when the Bruins host the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday. Vatrano, who played one full year at the University of Massachusetts and 15 games over two seasons with Providence of the American Hockey League, scored Saturday in his first NHL contest - a 4-2 loss in Montreal.
St. Louis at NY Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Two teams who have matched their respective best starts in franchise history will square off when the streaking New York Rangers host the St. Louis Blues on Thursday night. The Metropolitan Division-leading Rangers have won six in a row and are riding a 10-game point streak (8-0-2) following a 3-0 shutout of Carolina to improve to 11-2-2.
Washington at Philadelphia 7:00 PM ET
Alex Ovechkin has tormented the Philadelphia Flyers throughout his career, and the three-time Hart Trophy winner will write his name in the record book should he once again find the net against the skidding foe. Ovechkin will make his second attempt to become the NHL's top Russian-born scorer on Thursday when the Washington Capitals visit the Metropolitan Division-rival Flyers.
Minnesota at Carolina 7:00 PM ET
The Minnesota Wild are finding ways to win despite missing key performers and face another tough obstacle with a four-game road trip, which begins Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Wild shut out Tampa Bay and posted five goals in a victory over Winnipeg after standout left wing Zach Parise (knee) went down, adding to an already long injury list.
Vancouver at Ottawa 7:30 PM ET
Two days after ending their three-game slide, the Vancouver Canucks continue their season-high seven-game road trip against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday. Vancouver followed a home loss to Pittsburgh with setbacks against Buffalo and New Jersey to begin its trek, falling to the Devils on overtime.
Calgary at Tampa Bay 7:30 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Lightning look to snap out of their offensive funk against the worst defensive team in the league when the Calgary Flames pay them a visit on Thursday. The Lightning, who led the league in goals last season, have managed just 12 in their last nine contests while the Flames have allowed 3.88 per game, which is 1.28 more than their average in 2014-15 and ranks last in the NHL.
Buffalo at Florida 7:30 PM ET
The Buffalo Sabres look to reach the .500 mark for the first time since the end of the 2012-13 season when they visit the Florida Panthers on Thursday. The Sabres have won four of their last five contests, including a 4-1 victory at Tampa Bay on Tuesday, and rookie phenom Jack Eichel has posted five points in his past three games.
Toronto at Nashville 8:00 PM ET
The Toronto Maple Leafs will look to post back-to-back victories for the first time this season when they close out a three-game road trip at the Nashville Predators on Thursday night. The Maple Leafs registered only their second victory in 11 games (2-6-3) on Tuesday and both times their victims were the Central Division-leading Dallas Stars.
New Jersey at Chicago 8:30 PM ET
The New Jersey Devils look to complete a quick sweep of their two-game regular-season series with the Chicago Blackhawks when the teams reconvene in the Windy City on Thursday. Kyle Palmieri, who collected a goal and an assist in New Jersey's 4-2 win over Chicago on Friday, expects the Blackhawks' best when they return to the United Center - where they are 7-1-1 this season.
Winnipeg at Dallas 8:30 PM ET
The Dallas Stars are off to a great start, leading the Western Conference in points and goals scored, but as coach Lindy Ruff told reporters Wednesday: “Now the fun begins.” The Stars host the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday, the first of two consecutive home games against Central Division rivals, and better play within the division is crucial.
Edmonton at Arizona 9:00 PM ET
One day after posting a rare road victory, the Edmonton Oilers look to make it two in a row when they visit the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday. Edmonton overcame three deficits at Anaheim on Wednesday before Teddy Purcell scored 1:16 into overtime, halting the team's two-game skid.
NY Islanders at Los Angeles 10:30 PM ET
The Los Angeles Kings have yet to recapture the magic that enabled the club to win seven straight games to finish October with a flourish. After alternating losses and wins to begin November, the Kings look to return to their victorious ways on Thursday when they play the fourth contest of their five-game homestand against the New York Islanders.