Preview Roundups
December 23, 2017
Detroit at Boston 1:00 PM ET
The Boston Bruins are climbing up the Atlantic Division standings and can match their season-long winning streak when they host the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday afternoon in a matchup of Original Six rivals. Boston won its third in a row with a 2-1 shootout victory over visiting Winnipeg on Thursday to improve to 12-3-1 in its last 16.
Winnipeg at NY Islanders 1:00 PM ET
The New York Islanders are second in the NHL in goals scored this season, but defense continues to be the issue entering the final game before the Christmas break on Saturday at home against the Winnipeg Jets. The Islanders have allowed 124 goals and scored 123 through 35 games, and in the current 1-3-1 stretch they have surrendered 25 - including 11 in back-to-back losses to Detroit and Anaheim.
Montreal at Edmonton 7:00 PM ET
The Edmonton Oilers attempt to complete a perfect three-game homestand and sweep the season series when they host the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday. Edmonton began the string with a 5-3 win over San Jose on Monday and edged St. Louis 3-2 three nights later for its third consecutive overall victory.
Minnesota at Tampa Bay 7:00 PM ET
Victor Hedman was the preseason pick by many to win the Norris Trophy this season, and after a slow start, the 6-6 defenseman is surging offensively as his Tampa Bay Lightning prepare to host the Minnesota Wild on Saturday. Hedman has recorded two goals, six assists and a plus-9 rating in the last five games for the Lightning, who have won eight of their last nine contests.
Ottawa at Florida 7:00 PM ET
The Ottawa Senators are looking for any positives these days, and they hope to build off earning a point against the NHL’s top team when they visit the Florida Panthers on Saturday. The Senators coughed up a lead in the third period but still recorded a point for the third time on four games (2-1-1) in a 4-3 shootout loss at Tampa Bay on Thursday.
Chicago at New Jersey 7:00 PM ET
Coming off a pulsating victory over their most bitter rival, the New Jersey Devils must be wary of an emotional letdown when they host the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night in the final game before the Christmas break. New Jersey made it three straight wins with a dramatic shootout victory over the New York Rangers on Thursday night.
Toronto at NY Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Auston Matthews could be in line to end a six-game absence with what he candidly admitted were "normal concussion symptoms" when his Toronto Maple Leafs visit the New York Rangers on Saturday. Matthews was able to skate with his teammates on Friday, marking a favorable change to the outlook of the reigning Calder Memorial Trophy recipient.
Anaheim at Pittsburgh 7:00 PM ET
The biggest challenge for the Pittsburgh Penguins when they host the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday could be to maintain the intensity they displayed in Thursday's 3-2 shootout victory over Columbus. Two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh finds itself in the unusual predicament of outside playoff position but continued efforts such as Thursday - complete with Evgeni Malkin receiving a fighting major and Sidney Crosby involved in a scrum - should soon have them above the line.
Buffalo at Carolina 7:00 PM ET
The Carolina Hurricanes are just three points out of a playoff position despite sitting in last place in the Metropolitan Division and look to continue their surge when they host the struggling Buffalo Sabres on Saturday. The Hurricanes rebounded from an embarrassing loss in Toronto by scoring four goals in the first period en route to a 4-1 triumph at Nashville on Thursday - their fourth victory in five games.
Philadelphia at Columbus 7:00 PM ET
The Philadelphia Flyers have been riding a roller coaster of late, and they appear to be on the downhill track again as they continue their four-game road trip Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Philadelphia followed a 10-game slide (0-5-5) with a six-game winning streak but has dropped two of its last three, including a 4-2 decision at Buffalo on Friday.
Washington at Vegas 8:00 PM ET
The Vegas Golden Knights began a difficult nine-game stretch with a thrilling victory last time out and face another stiff challenge Saturday, when they host the red-hot Washington Capitals. The expansion Golden Knights scored four goals on the power play Tuesday, including defenseman Shea Theodore's winner with 2.3 seconds remaining in the third period, to knock off NHL-best Tampa Bay 4-3 and extend their point streak to nine games.
Colorado at Arizona 8:00 PM ET
Less than 24 hours after ending a lengthy losing streak, the Arizona Coyotes look to record consecutive wins for the first time in more than a month when they wrap up their five-game homestand Saturday against the Colorado Avalanche. Arizona staged a late rally on Friday to post a 3-2 overtime triumph over Washington, ending its seven-game slide (0-6-1).
Nashville at Dallas 8:00 PM ET
Just five points separate first and fourth place in the Central Division, but the front-running Nashville Predators have had the number of the Dallas Stars thus far this season. The Predators aim for their third win in as many meetings against the Stars on Saturday when the division rivals reconvene at American Airlines Center in the last contest before the Christmas break.
St. Louis at Vancouver 10:00 PM ET
The St. Louis Blues have been among the top teams in the Western Conference all season but they have hit a wall with the Christmas break approaching. The struggling Blues have dropped three straight and five of six and will look to avoid coming up empty on a four-game road trip when they visit the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night.
Los Angeles at San Jose 10:00 PM ET
The Los Angeles Kings bid for their third straight win and 11th in the last 14 games on Saturday as they visit the San Jose Sharks in the last game before the Christmas break. The Pacific Division rivals have each won on the other's home ice this season, with the Sharks carrying a six-game point streak at the SAP Center in San Jose.