Preview Roundups
December 08, 2016
Colorado at Boston 7:00 PM ET
The Colorado Avalanche attempt to put an end to their six-game winless streak as they continue their four-game road trip Thursday against the Boston Bruins. Last in the league with 19 points, Colorado has not won since edging Columbus in overtime Nov. 21, falling to 0-5-1 in that span when it began its trek with a 4-3 setback in Nashville on Tuesday.
St. Louis at NY Islanders 7:00 PM ET
The New York Islanders have turned things around following a ragged start to the season, but they must be wary of a letdown against another surging club when the St. Louis Blues visit the Barclays Center on Thursday night. The Islanders ran their point streak to five games (4-0-1) with an impressive 4-2 victory over the crosstown rival New York Rangers on Tuesday.
Edmonton at Philadelphia 7:00 PM ET
The Philadelphia Flyers are faced with a formidable task if they wish to match their longest winning streak in nearly five years. Winners of six in a row, the Flyers will do their best to slow down the high-flying Connor McDavid and the visiting Edmonton Oilers on Thursday.
New Jersey at Montreal 7:30 PM ET
The Montreal Canadiens return to the Bell Centre for the first time in two weeks when they open a four-game homestand against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night. Eastern Conference-leading Montreal capped its five-game road trip with a crushing defeat, blowing a two-goal lead in the third period of an eventual 3-2 loss at St. Louis on Tuesday night.
Vancouver at Tampa Bay 7:30 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Lightning expect to be a healthier team when they host the similarly injury-ravaged Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night. Jonathan Drouin (undisclosed) missed Tampa Bay’s 1-0 overtime loss at Carolina on Sunday, Jason Garrison (lower-body) sat out the last two and Ryan Callahan (lower-body) missed the past four, but all three practiced Wednesday and could return to the lineup.
Pittsburgh at Florida 7:30 PM ET
Florida Panthers general manager/interim coach Tom Rowe is doing his best to remain positive in the face of a pronounced negative. With four losses in five games since dismissing former coach Gerard Gallant, Rowe and the Panthers look to turn around their fortunes on Thursday as they open a modest two-game homestand against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
NY Rangers at Winnipeg 8:00 PM ET
The New York Rangers arrive in Winnipeg to play the Jets on Thursday having lost six of their past 10 games and continuing to add players to the injured list. Forwards Matt Puempel and Rick Nash were hurt in Tuesday’s 4-2 loss to the Islanders, forcing the Rangers to play with only 10 forwards for the final 33 minutes in falling to 4-5-1 since a 13-4-0 start.
Nashville at Dallas 8:30 PM ET
Coming off a season in which they led the Western Conference in points, the Dallas Stars have been among the league's biggest disappointments as they prepare to host the Nashville Predators on Thursday. The Stars are coming off a 2-1 home loss to Calgary, denying them a chance to win back-to-back games for only the second time this season.
Calgary at Arizona 9:00 PM ET
The Calgary Flames are ascending in the Pacific Division while the Arizona Coyotes have made themselves comfortable in the cellar right out of the chute. The streaking Flames vie for their fifth straight victory and 10th in 14 contests on Thursday, when they conclude a brief two-game road trip against slumping Arizona.
Carolina at Los Angeles 10:30 PM ET
The well-rested Los Angeles Kings hope to take advantage of a weary opponent when they continue their three-game homestand Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes. Los Angeles played only two games during the first week of December and has had three days off since dropping a 5-4 shootout decision to Montreal on Sunday in the opener of its stretch at Staples Center.