Preview Roundups
February 22, 2018
NY Islanders at Toronto 7:00 PM ET
The Toronto Maple Leafs have won 11 of their past 13 games overall to sit pretty in the standings while the New York Islanders reside on the outside of the postseason picture. The Maple Leafs aim to continue their torrid stretch and repeat a dominating performance in their last encounter versus the Islanders when the clubs tangle at Air Canada Centre on Thursday.
Minnesota at New Jersey 7:00 PM ET
Taylor Hall is batting 1.000 in 2018, collecting at least one point in each of the 19 games since the calendar flipped to January. Due to an injury that sidelined him three games late last month, the NHL only counts the current 12-game point streak by Hall, who will lead the New Jersey Devils into Thursday night's clash against the visiting Minnesota Wild.
Columbus at Philadelphia 7:00 PM ET
The red-hot Philadelphia Flyers are in the midst of what one would consider an unsustainable trend as they are winning games despite losing bodies. With a spate of injuries lining their roster, the Flyers likely will turn to new acquisition Petr Mrazek on Thursday when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets.
NY Rangers at Montreal 7:30 PM ET
The season has quickly gotten away from both the New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens, with both Original Six clubs taking pronounced losing streaks into Thursday night's game at the Bell Centre. The reeling Rangers will feature a new-look lineup in their quest to stop a four-game skid when they face the Canadiens, who have dropped six in a row (0-4-2).
Tampa Bay at Ottawa 7:30 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Lightning recorded a big road victory last time out and look to add another when they attempt to avenge an embarrassing loss against the host Ottawa Senators on Thursday. The Lightning, who lost 6-3 at Ottawa last month, snapped out of a 1-3-0 slump with a 4-2 road triumph against Metropolitan Division-leading Washington on Tuesday after scoring three times in the first period.
Buffalo at Detroit 7:30 PM ET
The Detroit Red Wings did not wait until the trade deadline, shuffling veteran goaltender Petr Mrazek to Philadelphia in what could be the first of many moves to come. After dropping consecutive one-goal decisions to a pair of playoff teams to open their four-game homestand, the Red Wings look to get back on track against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night.
Washington at Florida 7:30 PM ET
The Florida Panthers suffered through a disappointing finish to a road trip that started with three straight wins and begin a stretch of 11 home games in the next 12 outings Thursday night when the Washington Capitals pay a visit. The Panthers scored 17 goals combined to take the first three on their trek, but fell 7-2 at Winnipeg and were blanked 1-0 despite posting 40 shots Tuesday at Toronto.
San Jose at Nashville 8:00 PM ET
The Nashville Predators are sitting atop the Central Division and within striking distance of the best record in the league as they prepare to host the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night. The Sharks arrive in Nashville on a three-game winning streak, but they have dropped four in a row and 10 of their last 11 at Bridgestone Arena, playoffs included.
Colorado at Edmonton 9:00 PM ET
The Colorado Avalanche are trying to adjust to life without No. 1 defenseman Erik Johnson as they continue their three-game road trip through Western Canada on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers. Tyson Barrie joined Nikita Zadorov on the top blueline pairing Tuesday after Johnson was injured in Sunday's 4-2 loss to Edmonton, and recorded a goal and four assists while playing a career-high 29 minutes, 44 seconds in Colorado's 5-4 overtime victory at Vancouver.
Calgary at Arizona 9:00 PM ET
The Calgary Flames attempt to halt their three-game slide and remain in the thick of the playoff race when they visit the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday. Calgary erased three deficits in Vegas on Wednesday before allowing four unanswered goals en route to a 7-3 defeat, keeping it two points behind Minnesota for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference.
Dallas at Los Angeles 10:30 PM ET
The Los Angeles Kings return to the comforts of home following a seven-game road trip and hope to extend their winning streak to four games when they host the Dallas Stars on Thursday. Los Angeles completed the 4-3-0 trek with triumphs at Chicago and Winnipeg on Monday and Tuesday, respectively, but are two points behind Anaheim for third place in the Pacific Division while in a virtual tie for a wild-card spot in the Western Conference.