Preview Roundups
December 20, 2016
NY Islanders at Boston 7:00 PM ET
The New York Islanders are sitting at rock bottom in the Eastern Conference and are showing little signs of breaking out of an ugly tailspin as they prepare to visit the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night. The Islanders are mired in a five-game losing streak in which they have allowed a whopping 24 goals since posting impressive back-to-back wins over the New York Rangers and St. Louis.
Nashville at New Jersey 7:00 PM ET
The New Jersey Devils were one of the best stories in the NHL through the first month of the season, but are now struggling to stay above the point-per-game mark. The Devils, who recorded at least a point in 12 of the season’s first 15 contests, showed signs of snapping out of their funk last time out and look to end a six-game slide (0-5-1) when they host the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night.
NY Rangers at Pittsburgh 7:00 PM ET
The New York Rangers look to maintain sole occupancy in their penthouse suite of the top-heavy Metropolitan Division on Tuesday when they visit the second-place Pittsburgh Penguins. New York has won three in a row and six of seven to claim a two-point lead over the Penguins, who are 7-0-2 in their last nine and boast an impressive 13-2-2 mark at PPG Paints Arena - although they dropped a 5-2 decision to the Rangers on Nov. 21.
Los Angeles at Columbus 7:00 PM ET
The Columbus Blue Jackets look to set a franchise record as they vie for their 10th consecutive victory on Tuesday when they open a four-game homestand against the Los Angeles Kings. Columbus had won nine in a row from March 18-April 4, 2015, before matching that feat on Sunday, with Sergei Bobrovsky registering his eighth straight victory and NHL-best 19th of the season in a 4-3 overtime triumph over Vancouver.
Anaheim at Montreal 7:30 PM ET
The Montreal Canadiens had the right answer to a rough, emotional night and look to continue that momentum when they host the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night. Goalie Carey Price was not pleased when he was pulled after surrendering four goals against San Jose on Friday and returned to the lineup one night later to lead the Canadiens to a 2-1 victory at Washington.
Detroit at Tampa Bay 7:30 PM ET
The injury-plagued Tampa Bay Lightning attempt to turn the page after a disappointing stretch when they host the Atlantic Division-rival Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday, beginning a stretch in which seven of the next eight are at home. The Lightning, who have made at least the Eastern Conference final in the past two seasons, are 2-7-2 over the last 11 games after a 3-2 shootout loss at Edmonton on Saturday.
Buffalo at Florida 7:30 PM ET
Jaromir Jagr is within reach of a memorable milestone as the Florida Panthers prepare to open a five-game homestand with a visit from the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night. The 44-year-old Jagr needs only three points to move into a tie with Hall of Famer Mark Messier for second place on the league's all-time scoring list.
Colorado at Minnesota 8:00 PM ET
The Minnesota Wild are inching closer to the longest winning streak in franchise history and they go for their eighth consecutive victory with a home matchup against the spiraling Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday. Minnesota is two wins shy of matching its longest run of nine straight victories, which was established in March 2007.
Ottawa at Chicago 8:30 PM ET
Artemi Panarin hasn't missed a beat on the heels of being named the Calder Trophy recipient last season. Named the NHL's First Star of the Week, Panarin looks to continue his torrid stretch on Tuesday as the Chicago Blackhawks vie for their six straight win with a home tilt against the Ottawa Senators.
St. Louis at Dallas 8:30 PM ET
The Dallas Stars continue a critical five-game homestand against the Central Division-rival St. Louis Blues on Tuesday. Dallas coach Lindy Ruff told reporters last week, "I think all the season is going to land on this homestand," and the Stars are responding with two victories in three contests, including a 3-1 win over Philadelphia on Saturday that snapped the Flyers' 10-game winning streak and unveiled an unlikely combatant in Dallas's lineup.
Winnipeg at Vancouver 10:00 PM ET
The Vancouver Canucks battled back to salvage a point Sunday, but heading into a quirk in the schedule with the first of two consecutive home games against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday, the frustration is building. The Canucks won once in their past five games, and sitting next-to-last in the Pacific Division is not where they want to be, considering that is where Vancouver finished last season.
Calgary at San Jose 10:30 PM ET
The San Jose Sharks return home after a 3-1-0 road trip vaulted them to the top of the Pacific and face the Calgary Flames on Tuesday, kicking off a stretch in which they play three straight division games. San Jose finished the trek with a 4-1 loss to Chicago on Sunday, prompting Joe Pavelski to tell reporters: "It's a nice stretch, for sure, but you get the three (wins) … you want the four. That's just the way it is. ... You'd like to end the road trip with a win, for sure."