Preview Roundups
December 21, 2019
Los Angeles at Buffalo 1:00 PM ET
The Buffalo Sabres' feel-good season briefly veered off course after captain Jack Eichel abruptly was scratched from their last contest, a decision that unceremoniously halted his career-best 17-game point streak. The shell-shocked Sabres followed with a listless performance, a situation they hope isn't repeated in Saturday afternoon's home game against the Los Angeles Kings.
Anaheim at NY Islanders 1:00 PM ET
The New York Islanders already have put together a pair of impressive point streaks this season -- a 17-game run overall and a 13-game string at home. The latter streak was halted in an 8-3 mauling by Nashville on Tuesday, but New York rebounded with a victory at Boston and looks to continue its home success versus the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday afternoon.
Winnipeg at Minnesota 2:00 PM ET
The Minnesota Wild have points in 15 of their past 18 games as they continue a steady rise in the Central Division, and now open a stretch of 18 of the next 22 games at home starting Saturday against the Winnipeg Jets. The Wild posted an 8-5 victory Thursday at Arizona to improve to 10-3-3 since Nov. 19, riding the emotional return of goaltender Devan Dubnyk, who had not played since Nov. 16 due to medical issues with his wife.
Montreal at Edmonton 7:00 PM ET
The Canadiens continue their four-game trip through Western Canada when they visit the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday as Montreal's eight-game losing streak gets smaller in the rearview mirror. Montreal has won five of its last six games, including the first two contests on the trek, and is 6-2-0 since matching the fourth-longest slide in its storied 110-year history.
Nashville at Boston 7:00 PM ET
Even before the Boston Bruins hit a rut in which they have won only once in two weeks, opponents are finding the path to beating the Atlantic Division leaders -- extend the game beyond regulation. The Bruins have lost only once in regulation at TD Garden but have dropped four straight at home entering Saturday's clash versus the visiting Nashville Predators.
Detroit at Toronto 7:00 PM ET
The Toronto Maple Leafs are beginning to find their top form under new coach Sheldon Keefe, especially on the offensive end of the ice, and go for a sixth win in seven games when they host the struggling Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night. The Maple Leafs scored at least four times in each of the wins during their recent surge, including Friday’s 6-3 victory over the New York Rangers when they registered three unanswered goals in the third period.
Philadelphia at Ottawa 7:00 PM ET
The Philadelphia Flyers came out flat the last time the club left the City of Brotherly Love, with the team's morale absorbing a hit as it was outscored 14-5 during a fruitless three-game trek. The Flyers posted consecutive resounding victories in their return home and look to remain on track Saturday when they hit the road to face the Ottawa Senators.
Tampa Bay at Washington 7:00 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Lightning let a point slip out of their hands last time out and it won’t be easy to get that one back when they visit the NHL-best Washington Capitals on Saturday night for the third meeting in 22 days between the Eastern Conference heavyweights. The Lightning finished with a 48-20 edge in shots and held a two-goal lead in the second period, but never put the game away and suffered a 4-3 overtime setback against Dallas on Thursday.
Florida at Carolina 7:00 PM ET
The Carolina Hurricanes could not have asked for much more from a difficult five-game road trip and look to add another win before hopping on a plane again when they host the Florida Panthers on Saturday night. The Hurricanes went 3-0-1 in the first four games through Western Canada before capping the trek with a 3-1 victory over red-hot Colorado on Thursday to extend their point streak to seven games (6-0-1).
New Jersey at Columbus 7:00 PM ET
The Columbus Blue Jackets are losing players at an alarming rate but try for their fourth straight victory when they host the New Jersey Devils on Saturday. Cam Atkinson (lower body) became the fifth Columbus player injured in the last four games when he left Thursday's 3-2 overtime victory over Los Angeles and won't return until after Christmas.
Chicago at Colorado 9:00 PM ET
The Colorado Avalanche have lost two of three following a nine-game point streak (8-0-1) but they hope to rebound against an opponent they have dominated this season. The Avalanche have won all three meetings against the Chicago Blackhawks by a combined 16-6 count and will host their Central Division rival on Saturday in their second matchup in four days.
Pittsburgh at Vancouver 10:00 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Penguins will look to continue their road dominance over western Canadian teams Saturday when they continue what’s been a successful road trip against the Vancouver Canucks. The Penguins improved to 21-4-4 in the last 15 seasons while visiting the Flames, Oilers and Canucks and after handing Calgary a 4-1 setback Tuesday, Pittsburgh went into Edmonton on Friday night and left with a 5-2 victory.
St. Louis at San Jose 10:30 PM ET
The St. Louis Blues and San Jose Sharks have been living at opposite ends of the spectrum since they last faced off in a spirited Western Conference final. The ascending Blues and spiraling Sharks will meet in San Jose on Saturday for the first time since St. Louis won that series in six games en route to capturing its first Stanley Cup title in franchise history.
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