Preview Roundups
February 15, 2018
Carolina at New Jersey 7:00 PM ET
The Carolina Hurricanes capitalized on an eight-game homestand in their push for a playoff slot and hope to keep rolling when they visit the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night in the first of two meetings between the teams in four days. The Devils are holding down the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of Carolina.
NY Rangers at NY Islanders 7:00 PM ET
The New York Rangers have dropped eight of their last 11 to find themselves in the cellar of the congested Metropolitan Division, one point behind the New York Islanders. The Rangers look to reverse course on their current path and snap a five-game losing skid to the Islanders on Thursday when the crosstown rivals meet at Barclays Center for the first time this season.
Los Angeles at Pittsburgh 7:00 PM ET
Dion Phaneuf didn't have to leave the Steel City after the Ottawa Senators traded the three-time All-Star defenseman to the Los Angeles Kings. Phaneuf will make his debut with his new team on Thursday as the Kings play the fourth contest of their season-high seven-game road trip against the Pittsburgh Penguins, who have won nine in a row at PPG Paints Arena.
Buffalo at Ottawa 7:30 PM ET
The Ottawa Senators were involved in the first big move of the final two weeks before the trade deadline and could have new faces in the lineup when they host the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night. The Senators, who are well back in the playoff chase this season, sent veteran defenseman Dion Phaneuf and center Nate Thompson to the Los Angeles Kings in a deal for forwards Nick Shore and Marian Gaborik on Tuesday night.
Detroit at Tampa Bay 7:30 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Lightning lead the league in points, but they are a 9-8-1 team since Jan. 4 and hope to begin reasserting themselves when they host the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night. The Lightning come home after losing at Toronto and Buffalo on a brief road trip to go after their 11th consecutive victory over the Red Wings, counting playoff games.
Calgary at Nashville 8:00 PM ET
The Nashville Predators haven't been shy about putting in for overtime of late, although they required a full sprint to overcome a three-goal deficit in the third period of their last outing before converting a penalty shot. The Predators look to keep churning along on Thursday when they play the second contest of a four-game homestand against the Calgary Flames.
Washington at Minnesota 8:00 PM ET
The Minnesota Wild are in the midst of a franchise-record run, earning points in 13 consecutive home games (10-0-3) to move into the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. It's the longest stretch in the NHL since last season's 17-game home point streak by the Washington Capitals, who will pay a visit to the Wild on Thursday night.
Anaheim at Chicago 8:30 PM ET
The underachieving Anaheim Ducks continue their four-game road trip Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks, who are enduring their longest losing streak in six years. Anaheim has lost two straight, including a 2-1 setback at Detroit on Tuesday that left it tied for fourth in the Pacific Division with Los Angeles and one point behind third-place Calgary after losing five of its last seven games (2-3-2).
Montreal at Arizona 9:00 PM ET
The Montreal Canadiens are in danger of missing the playoffs for the second time in three seasons, and they've shown no sign of changing their fortunes with their recent play. Montreal looks to end a pair of losing streaks and keep its slim postseason hopes alive when it continues its four-game road trip Thursday against the Arizona Coyotes.
Edmonton at Vegas 10:00 PM ET
The Edmonton Oilers were expected to be among the top contenders for the Pacific Division title while the expansion Vegas Golden Knights were a great unknown. Yet when the teams square off Thursday night in Las Vegas, the stumbling Oilers find themselves a staggering 28 points behind the division-leading Golden Knights.
Vancouver at San Jose 10:30 PM ET
While overtaking Pacific Division-leading Vegas remains their top priority, the San Jose Sharks also must focus on fending off some division rivals for second place. San Jose looks to maintain its hold on the position when it continues its three-game homestand Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks.