Preview Roundups
December 27, 2019
Boston at Buffalo 7:00 PM ET
Despite winning only once during a 2 1/2-week tailspin this month, the Boston Bruins are in possession of a comfortable nine-point lead over Toronto atop the Atlantic Division and have lost only once in regulation at home. The Bruins return from the Christmas break with a visit to the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night in the first half of a home-and-home series.
Toronto at New Jersey 7:00 PM ET
The middle of November was not a stretch to remember for the Toronto Maple Leafs, who staggered through a six-game losing streak that led to the dismissal of coach Mike Babcock. The Maple Leafs have regrouped under new coach Sheldon Keefe and will carry a season-high five-game winning streak into Friday night's road matchup at the New Jersey Devils.
Carolina at NY Rangers 7:00 PM ET
The Carolina Hurricanes were forced to think about a third-period collapse through the Christmas break and look to put it in the rear-view mirror when they visit the New York Rangers on Friday night for a Metropolitan Division clash. The Hurricanes roared back from three-goal deficit to hold a 6-4 lead midway through the final 20 minutes before giving up the final four goals Monday at Toronto.
Columbus at Washington 7:00 PM ET
The Washington Capitals have had their way with most of the league this season except for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and will get another chance to snap a losing streak against the Metropolitan Division rival Friday night at home. The NHL-best Capitals are 10-3-0 in their last 13 games overall and two of the losses came against Columbus, extending a losing streak in the series to four with three goals scored combined.
Minnesota at Colorado 8:00 PM ET
The Colorado Avalanche are in good shape - health-wise, in the standings and looking forward - as they host the Minnesota Wild on Friday. Colorado entered the Christmas break with a 7-3 victory at Vegas on Monday and sits second in the Central Division and the Western Conference - five points behind St. Louis - and is virtually injury free with rookie defenseman Cale Makar making his return Friday.
Pittsburgh at Nashville 8:00 PM ET
The Nashville Predators are beginning to find their top form after a slow start to the season and look to validate the run again when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday for the opener of a home-and-home set. The Predators, who visit Pittsburgh on Saturday, have strung together a five-game point streak (4-0-1) after knocking off Arizona 3-2 on Monday at home.
St. Louis at Winnipeg 8:00 PM ET
The St. Louis Blues hope to pick up where they left off before Christmas break when they head to Winnipeg on Friday to face the Jets in the first part of a home-and-home series. The defending Stanley Cup champions have won six games in a row and 10 of their past 13 following Monday’s 4-1 victory at Los Angeles, as center Brayden Schenn scored twice to help lift the Blues to a Western Conference-leading 54 points entering the holidays.
NY Islanders at Chicago 8:30 PM ET
The New York Islanders cooled down considerably following a blistering hot stretch in which they recorded at least a point in a franchise-record 17 consecutive games. After losing two in a row and three of their last four, the Islanders aim to get it together on Friday when they open a three-game road trip against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Calgary at Edmonton 9:00 PM ET
The Edmonton Oilers will host the season’s first installment of the battle of Alberta Friday against the Calgary Flames as the provincial rivals sit a single point apart in the Pacific Division standings. The extra days off through the holidays were needed for an Edmonton team which has played a league-high 12 games this month, but owns just nine points to show for it (4-7-1).
Vegas at Anaheim 10:00 PM ET
The Vegas Golden Knights and host Anaheim Ducks begin the unofficial second half of their seasons Friday in a matchup of first- and second-division teams in the Pacific. Vegas (46 points) is tied at the top with Arizona - four points ahead of fifth-place Vancouver in the competitive division - while Anaheim (34) is in a three-way tie for last with San Jose and Los Angeles.
Los Angeles at San Jose 10:00 PM ET
The San Jose Sharks have plummeted toward the bottom of the Pacific Division after tumbling to losses in nine of their last 10 games (1-8-1). The Sharks and Los Angeles Kings each look to end a three-game winless skid at the other's expense on Friday when they meet at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif.