Preview Roundups
January 16, 2020
Pittsburgh at Boston 7:00 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Penguins showed their mettle while playing without Sidney Crosby for more than two months and quickly demonstrated how lethal they can be with their superstar captain back in the lineup. After putting on a spectacular show in his return, Crosby seeks to lead Pittsburgh to a season high-tying fifth straight win at the Boston Bruins on Thursday night.
Calgary at Toronto 7:00 PM ET
The Calgary Flames became the last team to lose in January after they were shut out for the sixth time this season to begin a three-game road trip. The Flames aim to locate their missing offense and return to their winning ways on Thursday when they bid for a season sweep of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Los Angeles at Florida 7:00 PM ET
The Florida Panthers came up with a strong effort in what coach Joel Quenneville called “the biggest game of the season” last time out and look to record a third straight victory when the Los Angeles Kings visit Thursday night. The Panthers scored five goals in the first 22:25 and cruised to an 8-4 rout of Toronto on Sunday for their second straight win and sixth in nine outings.
NY Rangers at NY Islanders 7:00 PM ET
The New York Islanders took it on the chin in their lopsided loss to the New York Rangers earlier in the week before flexing their muscles in their following contest. The Islanders look to exact revenge against the Rangers on Thursday when the cross-town rivals reconvene at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Montreal at Philadelphia 7:00 PM ET
The Philadelphia Flyers will have plenty of momentum when they open a three-game homestand that leads into the All-Star break with a matchup against the struggling Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night. The Flyers own points in four of the last five contests (3-1-1), capped by a confidence-building 4-3 overtime triumph at reigning Stanley Cup champion St. Louis on Wednesday, ending the Blues’ nine-game home winning streak.
New Jersey at Washington 7:00 PM ET
The Washington Capitals and New Jersey Devils are separated by 26 points in the Metropolitan Division, but one never would have guessed that when the teams squared off over the weekend. The division-leading Capitals will be out to avenge a 6-1 beating by last-place New Jersey in a rematch against the visiting Devils on Thursday night.
Carolina at Columbus 7:00 PM ET
The Columbus Blue Jackets are major players in the Eastern Conference wild-card race thanks to an 11-2-2 surge and rookie goaltender Elvis Merzlikins as they host the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday. Merzlikins, pressed into action when No. 1 Joonas Korpisalo sustained a torn meniscus, has recorded two straight shutouts after a 3-0 victory over Boston on Tuesday improved the 25-year-old Latvian to 6-2-0 with a 1.72 goals-against average and .950 save percentage since taking over.
Vegas at Ottawa 7:30 PM ET
The Vegas Golden Knights set expectations wildly high after their incredible run to the Stanley Cup Finals in the franchise's inaugural season two years ago. Gerard Gallant, the only coach the franchise has known, became a victim of those lofty aspirations after the Golden Knights fired him one day in advance of Thursday's matchup at the Ottawa Senators.
Anaheim at Nashville 8:00 PM ET
The Nashville Predators are still trying to find their footing under new coach John Hynes as they begin a three-game homestand Thursday against the struggling Anaheim Ducks. Nashville is five points out of wild-card position in the Western Conference and sits behind three teams - Vancouver, Winnipeg and Vegas - who are tied for the top spot after a 4-2 loss to Edmonton on Tuesday gave it six losses in its last nine games and a 2-2-0 mark under Hynes.
Tampa Bay at Minnesota 8:00 PM ET
The red-hot Tampa Bay Lightning begin another long stretch away from home Thursday night when they attempt to snap a four-game losing streak against the struggling Minnesota Wild. The Lightning have won 11 of their last 12 games to pull within six points of first-place Boston in the Atlantic Division as they prepare to play six in a row on the road, straddling the All-Star break.
Buffalo at Dallas 8:30 PM ET
The Buffalo Sabres put a halt to a six-game losing streak on the road with a pronounced victory earlier this week. The Sabres look to record consecutive wins outside of western New York for just the second time this season when they visit the Dallas Stars on Thursday.
San Jose at Colorado 9:00 PM ET
The Avalanche are running out of wiggle room as they host the Sharks on Thursday in the first meeting since San Jose eliminated Colorado in the second round of the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs in seven games. Colorado has lost four straight (0-2-2) and is 3-6-3 in its last 12 contests after a 3-2 overtime loss to Dallas on Tuesday dropped it to third place in the rugged Central Division.
Arizona at Vancouver 10:00 PM ET
The Arizona Coyotes will look to extend their lead atop a crowded Pacific Division Thursday when they visit the Vancouver Canucks - one of four teams within three points of the division leader. The Coyotes have lost four of their last five games away from home, but still own the second-most road victories in the NHL (14), while the Canucks have won six straight contests on home ice.