Preview Roundups
January 04, 2018
Florida at Boston 7:00 PM ET
The Boston Bruins are firing on all cylinders with an almost-whole lineup and attempt to extend their point streak to 10 games when they host the Florida Panthers for an Atlantic Division matchup Thursday night. The Bruins knocked off the New York Islanders 5-1 on Tuesday to improve to 7-0-2 in their last nine games, and go after a sixth straight victory over the Panthers.
San Jose at Toronto 7:00 PM ET
The Toronto Maple Leafs will attempt to avoid a season-high fourth consecutive defeat when they host the San Jose Sharks on Thursday in the second contest of their six-game homestand. Toronto has gone nearly seven years since beating San Jose, which has won the last 10 meetings between the clubs.
NY Islanders at Philadelphia 7:00 PM ET
Even a return to home ice could not end the slumber of the New York Islanders, who head back out on the road Thursday for a matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers in the first of three straight contests versus Metropolitan Division rivals. New York has been outscored 15-4 during its three-game losing streak.
Carolina at Pittsburgh 7:00 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Penguins are not accustomed to looking up at Carolina in the standings, but that's the position the two-time reigning Stanley Cup champions find themselves as they enter Thursday's game against the visiting Hurricanes. The Penguins will be looking to win consecutive contests for the first time in more than a month.
Tampa Bay at Montreal 7:30 PM ET
While their stars up front and on the blue line are doing their thing, the Tampa Bay Lightning have ascended to the top NHL with a big boost from Andrei Vasilevskiy in his first full season as a No. 1 goaltender. The 23-year-old Russian tops the league with 26 wins and has posted three of his NHL-leading six shutouts in his last four starts as the Lightning prepare to visit the offensively challenged Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night.
Vegas at St. Louis 8:00 PM ET
The Vegas Golden Knights continue to be the feel-good story of the 2017-18 season while rewriting the expansion team record books as they visit the St. Louis Blues on Thursday. Vegas has won eight straight and boasts a 13-game point streak (12-0-1) - NHL records for a first-year club - after Tuesday's 3-0 victory over Stanley Cup contender Nashville, and also own a four-game road winning streak.
Buffalo at Minnesota 8:00 PM ET
The Minnesota Wild could finally have their entire lineup back on the ice together when they go for a fourth victory in five games Thursday night against the improving Buffalo Sabres. Goaltender Devan Dubnyk has won two straight games since his return, left wing Zach Parise made his season debut in the 5-1 win over Florida on Tuesday and right wing Nino Niederreiter practiced Wednesday after missing five contests with a lower-body injury.
New Jersey at Dallas 8:30 PM ET
The New Jersey Devils look to end a pair of losing streaks as they continue their four-game road trip Thursday against the Dallas Stars. New Jersey dropped a 3-2 shootout decision in St. Louis on Tuesday, extending its slide on the road to four games (0-2-2) and overall skid to three (0-1-2).
Columbus at Colorado 9:00 PM ET
The Columbus Blue Jackets try for consecutive victories for the first time since Dec. 8-9 when they visit the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday. Columbus, which has won four straight in Denver, is 6-7-2 in its last 15 games after Tuesday's come-from-behind, 2-1 victory at Dallas moved them within four points of first-place Washington in the crowded Metropolitan Division.
Los Angeles at Calgary 9:00 PM ET
The Los Angeles Kings attempt to conclude their trek through Western Canada with a perfect record when they visit the Calgary Flames on Thursday. Los Angeles began the trip Saturday with a 4-3 triumph in Vancouver and followed with a 5-0 victory at Edmonton three nights later.
Anaheim at Edmonton 9:00 PM ET
The Edmonton Oilers continue to be a puzzling group -- just when it seems they are putting it together, they can't figure it out as they host the surging Anaheim Ducks on Thursday. Edmonton lost 5-0 to Los Angeles on Tuesday - its second straight 5-0 setback at home - and is 0-4-0 since Christmas after allowing three power-play goals during a five-minute major, dropping its home penalty-killing percentage to an all-time NHL low 55.6.
Nashville at Arizona 9:00 PM ET
The Nashville Predators hope to avoid a third consecutive road loss as they continue their three-game trip Thursday against the Arizona Coyotes. Nashville came up empty in Vegas on Tuesday, falling 3-0 to the expansion Golden Knights for its third defeat in four road contests (1-2-1) following a four-game winning streak away from home.