Preview Roundups
December 27, 2018
New Jersey at Boston 7:00 PM ET
The Boston Bruins welcomed top-line center Patrice Bergeron back to the lineup on the final weekend before the Christmas break and are hoping to see the return of more healthy bodies when they host the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night. Among the possible returnees for Boston on Thursday are captain Zdeno Chara, fellow defenseman Kevan Miller and forward Jake DeBrusk.
Columbus at NY Rangers 7:00 PM ET
The Christmas break interrupted the hottest stretch of the season for the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have ripped off four consecutive victories and are riding a six-game point streak (5-0-1) heading into Thursday night's matchup at the New York Rangers. Columbus also will be seeking its fourth straight win both on the road and against a Metropolitan Division rival.
Detroit at Pittsburgh 7:00 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Penguins welcomed a bit of time off during the Christmas break after finishing a frenzied six-game stretch in nine days with a 5-1-0 mark. Presumably refreshed, the Penguins bid to regain their momentum and extend their winning streak to four games on Thursday when they host the Detroit Red Wings at PPG Paints Arena.
Carolina at Washington 7:00 PM ET
The Carolina Hurricanes hope to match the performance they delivered in green uniforms last time out as they return to their normal colors Thursday night with a matchup against the first-place Washington Capitals to start a two-game trip. The Hurricanes wore throwback Hartford Whalers sweaters to honor the franchise’s past Sunday when they knocked off Boston 5-3, after losing five of their previous six contests (1-4-1).
Philadelphia at Tampa Bay 7:30 PM ET
Nikita Kucherov is in full pursuit of the top spot in the NHL scoring race and looks to extend his point streak to nine games when the red-hot Tampa Bay Lightning host the rejuvenated Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night. Kucherov boasts four goals and 11 assists during his eight-game streak to push his season total to 57 points - two behind league-leader Mikko Rantanen of Colorado.
Buffalo at St. Louis 8:00 PM ET
The Buffalo Sabres have defied expectations beyond any other team this season, surging into contention in the Atlantic Division following a disastrous 2017-18 campaign in which they finished with the fewest points in the NHL. Buffalo entered the Christmas break on a high note with a 3-0 shutout of Anaheim and looks to carry the momentum into Thursday's matchup at the St. Louis Blues.
Dallas at Nashville 8:00 PM ET
The Nashville Predators skidded into the Christmas break with a season-high four consecutive losses (0-3-1), but a return to Music City has provided the club with several positive notes of late. The Predators vie for their seventh consecutive home victory overall and fifth in a row against the Dallas Stars at Bridgestone Arena when the clubs meet on Thursday.
Calgary at Winnipeg 8:00 PM ET
The holiday break came at just the right time for the Calgary Flames, who look to snap a three-game losing streak on Thursday at the Western Conference-leading Winnipeg Jets. The slide followed a stretch where the Flames won 12 times in 15 games to rise to the conference lead, and after Saturday’s 3-1 home loss to St. Louis, Calgary captain Mark Giordano was quick to point out the need for a breather - and a quick return to form.
Minnesota at Chicago 8:30 PM ET
The Minnesota Wild entered the holiday break on a four-game slide (0-3-1) during which they scored a total of three goals. The Wild hope to break out of their funk when they resume their season Thursday against the host Chicago Blackhawks.
Vancouver at Edmonton 9:00 PM ET
The Vancouver Canucks came up empty in the finale of their five-game homestand prior to the holiday break but hope their batteries are recharged as they begin a six-game road trip Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers. Vancouver completed its stretch at Rogers Arena 3-2-0 after being blanked 1-0 by Winnipeg on Saturday.
Colorado at Vegas 10:00 PM ET
The Vegas Golden Knights were 23-9-2 and in the middle of an eight-game winning streak at the Christmas break during their 2017-18 inaugural season that resulted in a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals. Vegas has four fewer points while playing five more games this season and mired in a 2-1-3 stretch as it prepares for Thursday's encounter against the visiting Colorado Avalanche.
Arizona at Los Angeles 10:30 PM ET
The Los Angeles Kings showed a bit of promise heading into the Christmas break, extending their winning streak to three games with overtime victories over a pair of Pacific Division foes. The cellar-dwelling Kings look to continue their forward progress against another division rival on Thursday when they host the Arizona Coyotes at Staples Center.
Anaheim at San Jose 10:30 PM ET
Christmas could not come soon enough for the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks, who resume their seasons Thursday in northern California. The clubs skidded into their holiday break on three-game losing streaks as Anaheim completing a 2-3-0 road trip with a 3-0 loss to Buffalo on Saturday while San Jose lost 4-3 in a shootout to Arizona on Sunday.