Preview Roundups
March 23, 2017
Tampa Bay at Boston 7:00 PM ET
The Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning were both cruising along seemingly on their way to an Eastern Conference playoff spot a week ago before ill-timed losing streaks made them wonder where their next win will come. The Atlantic Division rivals each attempt to snap demoralizing three-game slides when the Bruins host the Lightning on Thursday night.
Columbus at Washington 7:00 PM ET
The Washington Capitals seem to have their mojo back and look to solidify their spot atop the Metropolitan Division when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday. The Capitals are riding a four-game point streak (3-0-1) that has followed four straight losses and lead second-place Pittsburgh by one point while Columbus is two back after suffering a 5-2 home loss to Toronto on Wednesday.
New Jersey at Toronto 7:30 PM ET
The Toronto Maple Leafs are on their way toward ending their postseason drought and look to strengthen their position when they host the New Jersey Devils on Thursday. Toronto, which has missed the playoffs each of the last three seasons and has qualified once since the 2004-05 lockout, grabbed hold of third place in the Atlantic Division with Wednesday's 5-2 triumph in Columbus.
Carolina at Montreal 7:30 PM ET
Despite sweeping a home-and-home set against Ottawa over the weekend in a showdown for first place in the Atlantic Division, the Montreal Canadiens are still feeling pressure from the Senators. With a matchup against Ottawa on deck, the Canadiens will continue their six-game homestand when they host the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night.
Pittsburgh at Ottawa 7:30 PM ET
Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins have every reason to smile after clinching their 11th straight postseason appearance, even if the two-time Hart Trophy winner is missing his two front teeth. With six of his NHL-leading 41 goals in the last three games, Crosby and the Penguins look to continue their pursuit of the Presidents' Trophy on Thursday when they face the Ottawa Senators.
Arizona at Florida 7:30 PM ET
While the Florida Panthers remain mathematically alive in the Eastern Conference playoff hunt, their fleeting chances were all but squashed following the latest defeat in their month-long spiral. The Panthers will be facing another opponent reduced to playing spoiler when they continue a three-game homestand against the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday night.
Vancouver at St. Louis 8:00 PM ET
The red-hot St. Louis Blues have begun to feast on an advantageous schedule as they close in on their sixth straight postseason appearance. After defeating the worst two clubs in the Western Conference, the Blues vie for their fourth win in a row and ninth in the last 10 outings on Thursday when they host the team with the third-fewest points in the Vancouver Canucks.
Calgary at Nashville 8:00 PM ET
A pair of teams holding down the final two playoff spots in the Western Conference square off when the surging Calgary Flames visit the Nashville Predators on Thursday night. While they own comfortable leads in the wild-card chase, the Flames are one point out of third place in the Pacific while Nashville is tied on points with St. Louis for third in the Central.
Philadelphia at Minnesota 8:00 PM ET
The Minnesota Wild put forth a quick-strike performance to get back on track following a season-high five-game skid while the Philadelphia Flyers just can't find the right path on the road. With just two wins in their last nine contests, the Wild look to secure a postseason berth for the fifth consecutive season on Thursday with a victory over the Flyers.
Dallas at Chicago 8:30 PM ET
The Chicago Blackhawks may have stumbled in their last outing, but coach Joel Quenneville told reporters that he's interested in the long haul as the team prepares to make its ninth consecutive postseason appearance. The Blackhawks still have a bit of business on their plate as they look to continue their dominance of the Dallas Stars on Thursday when the Central Division rivals conclude their season series at the United Center.
Edmonton at Colorado 9:00 PM ET
One day after relinquishing second place in the Pacific Division, the Edmonton Oilers look to avoid falling into a wild-card spot in the Western Conference when they visit the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday. Edmonton had its four-game winning streak halted Wednesday as it dropped a 4-3 decision at Anaheim to fall two points behind the Ducks in the Pacific.
Winnipeg at Los Angeles 10:30 PM ET
Were the NHL playoffs to begin today, the Winnipeg Jets and the Los Angeles Kings would be the first two Western Conference teams on the outside looking in at the postseason. The Jets travel to face the Kings on Thursday in a matchup of two teams who are running out of time and have a daunting gap in order to play beyond Game No. 82.