Preview Roundups
January 02, 2018
Tampa Bay at Toronto 7:00 PM ET
The NHL-best Tampa Bay Lightning opened their five-game road trip with a dominant performance and hope to build off that when they visit the scuffling Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night. The Lightning won for the 11th time in 13 games Sunday as they scored four second-period goals en route to a 5-0 victory at Columbus to lead second-place Toronto and Boston by 10 points in the Atlantic Division.
Boston at NY Islanders 7:00 PM ET
The New York Islanders were among the league's hottest clubs entering December, but they endured a rocky final month of 2017 that was capped by a 6-1 drubbing at Colorado on New Year's Eve. The Islanders hopes a return to home ice will reverse their sagging fortunes when they host the surging Boston Bruins on Tuesday.
Pittsburgh at Philadelphia 7:00 PM ET
As the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins prepare to resume their bitter rivalry with their second meeting this season, the primary concern is their respective place in the standings. The Flyers are buried at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division, one point behind visiting Pittsburgh entering Tuesday's clash at Wells Fargo Arena.
Washington at Carolina 7:00 PM ET
Although their overall winning streak is over, the Carolina Hurricanes hope to continue their run at home when they face off against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday. Carolina had captured four straight before dropping a 3-2 decision at St. Louis on Saturday but seeks its seventh victory in a row at PNC Arena when it hosts Washington.
San Jose at Montreal 7:30 PM ET
The Montreal Canadiens return home after a disastrous road trip but their first game of 2018 is against an opponent that has dominated the series. After dropping the last four of their seven-game road trip (2-5-0), the Canadiens hope to bounce back against the visiting San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night.
New Jersey at St. Louis 8:00 PM ET
The New Jersey Devils look to avoid a third consecutive defeat when they continue their four-game road trip Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues. New Jersey had its five-game overall winning streak and six-game run at home halted with an overtime setback against Buffalo on Friday and began its trek the following night with a 5-2 loss at Washington.
Florida at Minnesota 8:00 PM ET
After completing a perfect four-game homestand, the Florida Panthers attempt to extend their overall winning streak to six as they begin a five-game road trip Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild. Florida made it five victories in a row on Saturday, when it completed its string at BB&T Center with a 2-0 triumph over Montreal.
Columbus at Dallas 8:30 PM ET
The top performers are doing their jobs and the supporting actors are chipping in as the Dallas Stars surge toward the top of the Central Division standings while notching at least a point in six of the last seven games (4-2-1). The Stars look to continue the trend and earn a fifth straight victory on home ice when they host the struggling Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night.
Winnipeg at Colorado 9:00 PM ET
The Winnipeg Jets have won three in a row since the holiday break entering Tuesday’s road game against Colorado Avalanche, and Connor Hellebuyck’s play in goal is a big reason why his team is among the leaders in the Western Conference. Hellebuyck was named NHL first star of the week Monday after winning his third consecutive start in Sunday’s 5-0 victory over Edmonton, finishing the seven-day period with a .952 save percentage and a 1.67 goals against average.
Los Angeles at Edmonton 9:30 PM ET
The Edmonton Oilers are going backward again after an embarrassing New Year’s Eve loss and hope to begin 2018 with something positive when they host the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday night. The Oilers had won four in a row - and seven of 10 to start December - before losing the last three contests at home, including Sunday’s demoralizing 5-0 setback against Winnipeg.
Anaheim at Vancouver 10:00 PM ET
The Anaheim Ducks are feeling pretty good about themselves as they embark on a three-game swing through Western Canada beginning with a contest against the struggling Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. Anaheim has won four of its last five games after Sunday's 5-2 victory over NHL-worst Arizona moved it into a tie for third in the Pacific Division with San Jose, although the Sharks have four games in hand.
Nashville at Vegas 10:00 PM ET
The Vegas Golden Knights continue to rewrite the expansion team record books as they host the Nashville Predators on Tuesday in what could remarkably wind up being a Western Conference finals preview. Vegas is riding expansion team records of a seven-game winning streak and a 12-game point streak (11-0-1) after defeating Toronto 6-3 on Sunday to complete an 11-1-1 December.