Preview Roundups
December 29, 2018
Carolina at New Jersey 1:00 PM ET
The New Jersey Devils are buried in last place in the Metropolitan Division and have gone more than six weeks without winning back-to-back games, a drought they will try to end when they host the Carolina Hurricanes in a Saturday matinee. New Jersey will again be without leading scorer Taylor Hall, who will sit out his second straight game due to a lower-body injury.
Minnesota at Winnipeg 4:00 PM ET
The Christmas break did not do anything to help the Minnesota Wild snap out of their two-week slump, as they head to Winnipeg to face the Jets on Saturday looking to snap a five-game losing streak. Playing for the first time since defenseman Matt Dumba underwent surgery to repair a ruptured right pectoral muscle, the frustration grew for the Wild in Thursday’s 5-2 defeat at Chicago - a game in which Minnesota recorded a season-high 48 shots and hit the post twice.
Vegas at Los Angeles 4:00 PM ET
Dustin Brown has seen the Los Angeles Kings slowly get their act together despite the team still occupying the cellar of the Pacific Division. After scoring all 10 of his team-leading goals in a 27-game stretch, Brown will attempt to send the Kings to their season-high fifth straight victory on Saturday afternoon when they host the Vegas Golden Knights at Staples Center.
San Jose at Edmonton 4:00 PM ET
After receiving a brilliant performance from one offensive-minded defenseman, the San Jose Sharks will see the return of another on Saturday afternoon as Erik Karlsson will be back in the lineup for the opener of the team's three-game road trip versus the Edmonton Oilers. The two-time Norris Trophy winner has been idle while serving a two-game suspension for his illegal check to the head of Los Angeles forward Austin Wagner.
Boston at Buffalo 7:00 PM ET
The Buffalo Sabres are light years ahead of last season but they are wobbling a bit since matching a franchise record with a 10-game winning streak last month. The Sabres have won only four times in their last 13 games (4-6-3) since that sizzling stretch but remain in third place in the Atlantic Division -- one spot ahead of the Boston Bruins, who visit Buffalo on Saturday night.
NY Islanders at Toronto 7:00 PM ET
The New York Islanders will attempt to keep their former captain in check when they visit a red-hot John Tavares and the streaking Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. Tavares, who spent the first nine seasons of his career with New York after being drafted first overall in 2009, has recorded two points in each of his last five contests and enters the showdown with a six-game streak.
Washington at Ottawa 7:00 PM ET
After beginning the month with a pair of losses, the Washington Capitals have gone on a tear, winning eight of their last nine games. The reigning Stanley Cup champion Capitals aim for their fifth straight road victory when they visit the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.
Montreal at Tampa Bay 7:00 PM ET
Captain Steven Stamkos looks to add to his historic scoring month and the Tampa Bay Lightning attempt to extend their point streak to 14 games on Saturday, when they host the Atlantic Division-rival Montreal Canadiens. Stamkos broke the franchise record for goals in any month with his 13th and 14th of December on Thursday as the Lightning edged Philadelphia 6-5 in overtime, improving to 12-0-1 in their last 13 contests.
Philadelphia at Florida 7:00 PM ET
The coaching change has agreed with the Philadelphia Flyers thus far, as they have earned points in four of their five games (3-1-1) since replacing Dave Hakstol with Scott Gordon on an interim basis. Philadelphia hopes to continue ascending when it resumes its five-game road trip Saturday against the Florida Panthers.
Pittsburgh at St. Louis 8:00 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Penguins didn't appreciate residing in the cellar of the Eastern Conference last month, as the team answered a disastrous 1-7-2 stretch by recording at least a point in 15 of its next 19 contests (12-4-3). The surging Penguins bid to win their season-best fifth straight outing on Saturday when they open a three-game road trip against the St. Louis Blues.
NY Rangers at Nashville 8:00 PM ET
Mired in their longest losing streak in nearly three years and with a road-heavy schedule on the horizon, the Nashville Predators are in desperate need of a victory entering Saturday night's matchup against the visiting New York Rangers. A return home failed to reverse the fortunes of Nashville, which was blanked by Dallas on Thursday for its fifth straight defeat.
Detroit at Dallas 8:00 PM ET
The Dallas Stars have battled their way into a playoff position in the Western Conference and look to continue climbing when they start a four-game homestand against the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night. The Stars registered a 2-0 victory at Nashville on Thursday after the Christmas break while giving up 49 shots and getting no production from their potent top trio of captain Jamie Benn, Alexander Radulov and Tyler Seguin.
Chicago at Colorado 9:00 PM ET
The Chicago Blackhawks are playing their best hockey of the season as they meet the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday for the second time in nine days in Denver. Chicago, which is last in the Central Division and tied for the third-fewest points in the league, has won four of its last five games - including one against Colorado - after a 5-2 victory over Minnesota on Thursday.
Arizona at Anaheim 10:00 PM ET
The Anaheim Ducks are struggling to maintain playoff position and may have to do so without No. 1 goaltender John Gibson for a time as they host the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday. Gibson, who was second in the league with a .927 save percentage entering Friday, left Thursday's 4-2 loss at San Jose after one period (upper body) as his injury-plagued career takes another twist.
Vancouver at Calgary 10:00 PM ET
The Vancouver Canucks have pulled themselves back into the wild card hunt by compiling a Western Conference best 7-2-1 record over their last 10 games. After starting their six-game road trip with a 4-2 win in Edmonton Thursday, the Canucks will visit the Pacific Division-leading Calgary Flames on Saturday night.