Preview Roundups
March 16, 2019
St. Louis at Pittsburgh 1:00 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Penguins have won three in a row and six of their last seven to begin an all-out sprint toward securing a 13th consecutive postseason appearance. The Penguins look to inch closer to that goal on Saturday afternoon when they open a two-game homestand against the St. Louis Blues, who have dropped three in a row (0-2-1).
NY Islanders at Detroit 1:00 PM ET
The New York Islanders are back in a groove following a recent slump but they face a tough road in their bid to overtake the Washington Capitals for first place in the Metropolitan Division. The Islanders will play eight of their final 12 games away from home, beginning with a visit to the reeling Detroit Red Wings on Saturday afternoon.
Florida at Los Angeles 4:00 PM ET
The Florida Panthers may face quite the uphill climb in their bid for their second playoff berth in four seasons, but they appear intent on seeing it through to the end. With points in 12 of their last 15 contests (8-3-4), the Panthers vie for their fourth straight victory on Saturday afternoon when they continue their four-game road trip against the Los Angeles Kings.
Calgary at Winnipeg 7:00 PM ET
The Winnipeg Jets own a one-point lead over Nashville in the Central Division with two games in hand but are not necessarily playing like a first-place team heading into Saturday's home contest against the Calgary Flames. Winnipeg defeated Boston 4-3 on Thursday for its second victory in five games, but coach Paul Maurice - whose club is 7-9-2 since winning 34 of its first 52 contests - doesn't appear to be worried.
Columbus at Boston 7:00 PM ET
The Columbus Blue Jackets continue to fight for their playoff lives as they begin a four-game road trip Saturday against the Boston Bruins. Columbus, which defeated Boston 7-4 on Tuesday in the first of three meetings in a 22-day span, shut out Carolina 3-0 on Friday behind 46 saves from Sergei Bobrovsky and is tied with the Hurricanes for the Eastern Conference wild-card spots, two points ahead of Montreal in what is shaping up to be a three-team race to the finish.
Chicago at Montreal 7:00 PM ET
The Chicago Blackhawks still face an uphill climb to make the playoffs but they are on a roll and have a chance to put a dent in the postseason chances of the Montreal Canadiens. The Blackhawks have ripped off four consecutive wins and are six points out of the second wild card entering Saturday night's matchup at Montreal.
Toronto at Ottawa 7:00 PM ET
A day after staging a spirited comeback to salvage the finale of their three-game homestand and inch closer to second place in the Atlantic Division, the Toronto Maple Leafs kick off a three-game road trip Saturday against the Ottawa Senators. Toronto netted five consecutive tallies Friday to erase a three-goal deficit and held on for a 7-6 triumph over Philadelphia.
Washington at Tampa Bay 7:00 PM ET
The NHL-best Tampa Bay Lightning lead the league in scoring and could end up boasting three players with 40 goals, but it is still difficult for them to forget being shut out in Game 6 and 7 of the Eastern Conference finals by the Washington Capitals last May. The Lightning look for a little revenge when they host the Capitals on Saturday night in the first of three contests between the division leaders in 15 days before another postseason begins.
Buffalo at Carolina 7:00 PM ET
The Carolina Hurricanes hope to resume their surge toward a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference after a tough loss, when they open a five-game homestand against the fading Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night. The Hurricanes registered 46 shots, but suffered their second regulation loss in 10 games (7-2-1) with a 3-0 setback at Columbus on Friday to fall into a virtual tie with the Blue Jackets for the top wild-card spot - with both sitting two points ahead of ninth-place Montreal.
NY Rangers at Minnesota 8:00 PM ET
A three-game losing streak has the Minnesota Wild on the outside of the Western Conference playoff picture looking in. They attempt to halt the slide and move closer to a wild-card spot when they continue their five-game homestand Saturday against the New York Rangers.
Edmonton at Arizona 10:00 PM ET
The Arizona Coyotes are relishing in the role of the underdog, even while riding a torrid stretch that has propelled them into the second wild card in the Western Conference. The surging Coyotes will go for their 11th victory in 13 games when they host the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night in a matchup of Pacific Division rivals.
Nashville at San Jose 10:30 PM ET
The San Jose Sharks will attempt to secure their 14th playoff berth in 15 seasons on Saturday when they host the Nashville Predators. The Sharks' initial bid to become the first Western Conference team to gain entry into the NHL's second season went by the boards as they saw their six-game winning streak halted with Thursday's 4-2 setback versus Florida.