Preview Roundups
March 23, 2019
Arizona at New Jersey 1:00 PM ET
Just as the surprising Arizona Coyotes had appeared to seize control of the second wild card in the Western Conference, a three-game slide has dropped the team outside of the playoff picture. The Coyotes will look to get back on the winning track when they resume a four-game road trip against the reeling New Jersey Devils on Saturday afternoon.
NY Islanders at Philadelphia 1:00 PM ET
The New York Islanders have fallen into a second-place tie in the Metropolitan Division after dropping six of 11 contests in March, with two of those losses coming via three-goal setbacks to the rival Philadelphia Flyers. The Islanders aim to rebound after back-to-back shutouts when they play what could be a contentious battle against the host Flyers on Saturday afternoon.
Chicago at Colorado 3:00 PM ET
The Colorado Avalanche and Chicago Blackhawks continue to pursue a Western Conference wild-card spot when they begin a home-and-home series Saturday afternoon in Denver, but the health of one of the Avalanche's top players is of immediate concern. Mikko Rantanen left Thursday's 3-1 victory at Dallas midway through the third period with an undisclosed injury after he was checked hard into the boards near the players' benches.
Ottawa at Edmonton 4:00 PM ET
The Edmonton Oilers have repeatedly been on the verge of seeing their playoff hopes KO'd, but a favorable portion of the schedule has them poised to make a final run at a wild-card spot. The Oilers resume a five-game homestand with the first of two straight against last-place clubs when they host the Ottawa Senators on Saturday afternoon.
Nashville at Winnipeg 7:00 PM ET
The Nashville Predators have earned seven points in their past four games to keep pace in the Central Division, and they have a chance to move into a first-place tie Saturday when they visit the division-leading Winnipeg Jets. Defenseman Ryan Ellis scored the game-tying goal late in the third period of Thursday’s 2-1 shootout loss to Pittsburgh, giving Nashville a critical point and pulling the Predators within two points of the Jets entering Saturday’s matchup.
NY Rangers at Toronto 7:00 PM ET
Auston Matthews didn't take too kindly to the Toronto Maple Leafs briefly losing their edge, as the 21-year-old etched his name alongside some of the heavyweights in the franchise record book with another sterling performance. Matthews looks to lead the Maple Leafs to consecutive wins on Saturday night when the club hosts the New York Rangers.
Buffalo at Montreal 7:00 PM ET
The Montreal Canadiens have battled back from a mini-swoon to post back-to-back victories and slide into the second wild card in the Eastern Conference. Montreal can hardly rest easy, though, sitting one point clear of ninth-place Columbus as it prepares to wrap up the season series against the visiting Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night.
Boston at Florida 7:00 PM ET
The top line of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak is back together and the trio looks to continue putting up big numbers when the Boston Bruins visit the Florida Panthers on Saturday night. Pastrnak had a goal and an assist in his second game back from a five-plus week absence (thumb) while his linemates added six more points in Thursday’s 5-1 victory at New Jersey.
Minnesota at Carolina 7:00 PM ET
A day after climbing into the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference, the Minnesota Wild look to remain there when they visit the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday. Minnesota edged host Washington 2-1 on Friday to move one point ahead of Colorado and Arizona in the standings but has played one more game than both clubs.
Tampa Bay at St. Louis 8:00 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Lightning continue to steam toward the NHL record for wins in a season and hope to climb a little closer when they finish a three-game road trip against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night. The Lightning won their seventh straight game Thursday by rallying for an eighth win when trailing after two periods with a 6-3 triumph at Carolina, closing to within four of Detroit’s record 62 wins in 1995-96 with seven contests to go.
Pittsburgh at Dallas 8:00 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Penguins have been haunted by their inability to maintain late leads and ultimately have skated away with losses in three of their past four contests (1-1-2). The Penguins look to finish strong and end their pronounced struggles at American Airlines Center on Saturday when they visit the Dallas Stars.
Calgary at Vancouver 10:00 PM ET
Calgary Flames captain Mark Giordano has played a significant role in helping his team battle for Pacific Division supremacy, as well as bolstering his resume in a bid for a Norris Trophy to boot. Giordano carries a six-game point streak (one goal, six assists) into the Flames' road game versus the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday.
Detroit at Vegas 10:00 PM ET
The Vegas Golden Knights have been locked into third place in the Pacific Division for weeks but they are making a spirited run to the finish line of the regular season. The hottest team in hockey north of Tampa Bay, the Golden Knights vie for their 11th victory in 12 games when they host the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night.
Anaheim at Los Angeles 10:30 PM ET
After ending their five-game home losing streak last time out, the Los Angeles Kings attempt to finish their five-game string at Staples Center with back-to-back wins when they host the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday. Los Angeles was outscored 17-7 during its slide in its own arena before posting a 4-2 victory over San Jose on Thursday.