Preview Roundups
February 28, 2017
Arizona at Boston 7:00 PM ET
The Boston Bruins have turned their fortunes around since changing coaches and get to face one of the league's worst teams as they kick off a three-game homestand on Tuesday. The Bruins, winners of six of seven games since Bruce Cassidy replaced Claude Julien, are in third place in the Atlantic Division as they await a visit from the Arizona Coyotes.
Nashville at Buffalo 7:00 PM ET
Filip Forsberg and the Nashville Predators are loaded with confidence these days and they'll try for their sixth straight victory in Buffalo against the Sabres on Tuesday. Forsberg, the NHL's First Star of the Week, scored in Sunday's 5-4 victory over Edmonton to give him eight goals in his last four games and help Nashville increase its lead to four points over St. Louis for third place in the Central Division and seven on ninth-place Los Angeles in the Western Conference.
Washington at NY Rangers 7:00 PM ET
The Washington Capitals led the league in points in 2015-16 and are setting the pace once again this season, but they served notice that they have their eyes on a bigger prize. The Capitals made a huge move to acquire defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk from St. Louis on Monday night and expect him to be in the lineup for Tuesday's matchup at the New York Rangers.
Colorado at Philadelphia 7:00 PM ET
The Philadelphia Flyers extended their season-high winning streak to 10 games over two months ago with a stirring 4-3 victory over the Colorado Avalanche, but it's been all downhill ever since for coach Dave Hakstol's charges. With losses in 20 of 29 games (9-16-4) since the streak and seven of their last nine overall (2-6-1), the free-falling Flyers look to get back on track Tuesday when they host the NHL-worst Colorado Avalanche.
Columbus at Montreal 7:30 PM ET
The Columbus Blue Jackets are one of the few teams that have come back stronger after the league-mandated “bye week” and look to ride that momentum when they visit the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday. The Blue Jackets were 4-4-1 this month before taking five days off, then rolled over the New York Islanders 7-0 on Saturday and the New York Rangers 5-2 a day later.
Carolina at Florida 7:30 PM ET
One week after a historically successful road trip put them in playoff position, the Florida Panthers go into Tuesday’s contest against the struggling Carolina Hurricanes looking to avoid a winless four-game homestand. The Panthers went 5-0-0 on a difficult trek that included games against five Western Conference playoff contenders, but dropped contests versus Edmonton, Calgary and Ottawa in regulation since returning to the Sunshine State.
Edmonton at St. Louis 8:00 PM ET
The St. Louis Blues' struggles on offense followed them over their league-mandated break, as the club has scored just five goals during its three-game losing skid after mustering 20 during its six-game winning streak. The Blues will need to rediscover their offense and tighten their defense in Tuesday's home tilt versus Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers on the heels of trading blue-liner Kevin Shattenkirk to Washington.
Minnesota at Winnipeg 8:00 PM ET
After enjoying a 5-2-1 homestand that lasted three weeks, the Western Conference-leading Minnesota Wild return to the site of their most-recent road game when they visit the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday. Minnesota concluded its string at Xcel Energy Center on Monday with a 5-4 overtime victory over Los Angeles, as newcomer Ryan White recorded a goal and an assist before Mikael Granlund tallied 12 seconds into the extra session.
Pittsburgh at Dallas 8:30 PM ET
Captain Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins are showing their championship form heading into the final day of February while the Dallas Stars are limping into the home stretch. With goals in each of his last three contests and four of his last five, the two-time Hart Trophy winner looks to keep the Penguins humming along on Tuesday when they open a two-game road trip against the skidding Stars.
Los Angeles at Calgary 9:00 PM ET
The Calgary Flames attempt to extend their winning streak to five games and strengthen their hold on a playoff berth when they kick off a four-game homestand Tuesday against the Pacific Division-rival Los Angeles Kings. Calgary has earned points in six straight contests after completing a 4-0-1 road trip with a 3-1 triumph in Carolina on Sunday.
Detroit at Vancouver 10:00 PM ET
Barring a miraculous finishing kick over the final 22 games of the season, the Detroit Red Wings' 25-year playoff run -- the third-longest streak in league history -- will come to an end. Lagging 11 points out of the second wild card, the Red Wings open a five-game road trip with a visit to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night.
Toronto at San Jose 10:30 PM ET
While a bevy of rookies have the upstart Toronto Maple Leafs clinging to the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, the team is banking on the addition to veteran Brian Boyle to strengthen their grip. The 32-year-old Boyle brings 100 NHL games worth of experience to a young Toronto club on Tuesday as the Maple Leafs open a three-game stretch against the California contingent with a visit to the San Jose Sharks.