Preview Roundups
October 07, 2017
Colorado at New Jersey 2:00 PM ET
He didn't arrive with the fanfare of the last two players at the top of the draft class, but No. 1 overall pick Nico Hischier represents the biggest hope to turn things around for the New Jersey Devils. The 18-year-old Hischier will make his NHL debut when the Devils open their season against the visiting Colorado Avalanche on Saturday afternoon.
NY Rangers at Toronto 7:00 PM ET
The Toronto Maple Leafs couldn't have been more impressive in the way they began the 2017-18 NHL campaign while the New York Rangers left plenty to be desired in their season opener. The Maple Leafs look to ride the momentum of a seven-goal outburst into Air Canada Centre on Saturday when they play their home opener against the Original Six-rival Rangers.
Detroit at Ottawa 7:00 PM ET
The Ottawa Senators could get a huge boost, after suffering a disappointing result in their season opener, when they welcome the Detroit Red Wings for an Atlantic Division matchup Saturday night. Two-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson is close to returning to the lineup for the Senators, who coughed up two third-period leads and went 0-for-5 on the power play in a 5-4 shootout loss to Washington on Thursday.
Tampa Bay at Florida 7:00 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Lightning hope to get more consistent secondary scoring this season and, if the season opener was any indication, they may have a newly constructed line that can provide it. Linemates Brayden Point and Ondrej Palat look to follow up a strong debut together when the Lightning visit the Florida Panthers on Saturday for the back end of a home-and-home series between the Sunshine State rivals.
Buffalo at NY Islanders 7:00 PM ET
Jason Pominville had a fine season debut, but the Buffalo Sabres need some of their other players to land on the scoresheet when they visit the New York Islanders on Saturday. Pominville, who is back with the Sabres after spending the last four-plus campaigns with Minnesota, scored both of the team's goals in its season-opening 3-2 shootout loss to Montreal on Thursday.
Nashville at Pittsburgh 7:00 PM ET
A visit from the Nashville Predators on Saturday night would normally provide a fond memory for the Pittsburgh Penguins -- a reminder of their six-game win in last season's Stanley Cup Finals. Yet the Penguins may be more preoccupied with notching their first win of this season and erasing the stench of their most lopsided defeat in 14 years.
Montreal at Washington 7:00 PM ET
Red, white and blue meets the rouge, blanc et bleu when the Washington Capitals host the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday. Washington won its opener 5-4 in a shootout at Ottawa on Thursday as Alex Ovechkin recorded his 18th career hat trick while the Capitals' top line that also includes Evgeny Kuznetsov and forward Jakub Vrana is already clicking in mid-season form.
Minnesota at Carolina 7:00 PM ET
The Carolina Hurricanes will be hard-pressed to end an eight-year playoff drought this season, which opens at home against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday, but acquisitions such as Justin Williams and goaltender Scott Darling could make a difference. Carolina also boasts a strong top four defensive corps with Justin Faulk, Noah Hanifin, Brett Pesce and Jaccob Slavin, providing hope for a club that was challenged offensively with only two players scoring more than 17 goals in 2016-17.
Dallas at St. Louis 8:00 PM ET
The St. Louis Blues are riding high into their 2017-18 home opener versus the Dallas Stars on Saturday in what will be the first of many crucial Central Division battles this season. St. Louis spoiled two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh's banner raising party with a 5-4 victory Wednesday as defenseman Alex Pietrangelo scored in overtime to record his second career two-goal game.
Columbus at Chicago 8:30 PM ET
The Chicago Blackhawks scored 10 goals for the first time in almost 29 years to get the season off to a rousing start and hope to continue that kind of production when they host the stingy Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. The Blackhawks scored just three goals while getting swept by Nashville in the first round last postseason but pounded defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh 10-1 in their 2017-18 opener on Thursday.
Vegas at Arizona 9:00 PM ET
The Vegas Golden Knights relied on their two marquee players to win the first game in franchise history and hope to make it two victories in as many nights when they visit the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday. James Neal scored a pair of third-period goals against his former team and Marc-Andre Fleury made 45 saves Friday as Vegas posted a 2-1 triumph in Dallas.
Edmonton at Vancouver 10:00 PM ET
Connor McDavid was made the league's highest-paid player in the offseason and appeared intent on earning every penny after a dazzling performance in the season opener. McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers will play their first road game Saturday night at the Vancouver Canucks, who will be the last NHL team to take the ice this season.
Philadelphia at Anaheim 10:00 PM ET
It's become nearly en vogue to question what has happened to Corey Perry after the 2011 Hart Trophy winner was limited to just 19 goals last season. Perry stepped up to answer his critics with two goals and an assist in the season opener for the Anaheim Ducks, who look to continue their dominance of the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday at Honda Center.
Winnipeg at Calgary 10:00 PM ET
The Calgary Flames are taking a patient approach with future Hall of Famer Jaromir Jagr, who will determine if his season debut comes in Saturday’s home contest against the Winnipeg Jets. The Flames signed the 45-year-old forward to a one-year contract Wednesday, hours before opening the season with a 3-0 loss to Edmonton, and after his first practice Thursday Jagr told reporters he hopes to be ready soon.
Los Angeles at San Jose 10:30 PM ET
Jonathan Quick wasted little time putting his injury-plagued 2016-17 campaign behind him, recording his 45th shutout after turning aside all 35 shots he faced in the season opener. The two-time Vezina Trophy finalist looks to turn up the heat on his hot start Saturday as the Los Angeles Kings visit the Pacific Division-rival San Jose Sharks.