Preview Roundups
October 11, 2018
Edmonton at Boston 7:00 PM ET
After starting the season with a miserable effort, the Boston Bruins have rebounded in fine fashion and will go for their third consecutive victory against the visiting Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night. Boston was hammered at defending Stanley Cup champion Washington 7-0 in the season opener but has bounced back to score 10 goals in back-to-back wins.
Colorado at Buffalo 7:00 PM ET
The Buffalo Sabres had only one three-game winning streak in 2017-18 but they can match that in the season's first week when they wrap up a four-game homestand against the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night. The Sabres were booed off the ice after they were shut out in the opener but rebounded with wins over the New York Rangers and Vegas Golden Knights.
Columbus at Florida 7:00 PM ET
Although the Florida Panthers earned a point in a season-opening shootout loss at intrastate rival Tampa Bay, it came at a hefty price. Starting netminder Roberto Luongo exited the game with a knee injury and is expected to miss at least two to four weeks for Florida, which hosts the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night in its home opener.
Washington at New Jersey 7:00 PM ET
The Washington Capitals have yet to be slowed down offensively in their first season as defending Stanley Cup champions, scoring a total of 18 goals while earning five points in their initial three contests. Washington hopes to keep scoring at will when it visits the Metropolitan Division-rival New Jersey Devils on Thursday.
San Jose at NY Rangers 7:00 PM ET
The San Jose Sharks answered a fruitless performance with a dynamic one in their last outing, scoring eight goals to improve to 2-1-0 on their five-game road trip. The Sharks aim to continue their momentum at Madison Square Garden on Thursday when they face the reeling New York Rangers, who were gashed for eight goals in their last contest.
Vegas at Pittsburgh 7:00 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Penguins have had plenty of time to mull over two disappointing defensive efforts to start the season and hope to play with more urgency in their own end when they host the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday. The Penguins found a way to pull out their season opener against Washington last Thursday, winning 7-6 in overtime, before being blitzed by Montreal 5-1 just two days later.
Los Angeles at Montreal 7:30 PM ET
The Montreal Canadiens should be well rested when they enter the Bell Centre to play their home opener against the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday. The Canadiens have been idle since Paul Byron recorded his sixth career multi-goal performance in a 5-1 romp over Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Toronto at Detroit 7:30 PM ET
Auston Matthews and John Tavares have already made history in 2018-19, as the two centers became the third set of teammates in NHL history to each score at least six goals in the first four games of a season. Matthews (seven goals) and Tavares (six) aim to continue their torrid stretch as the Toronto Maple Leafs bid to remain perfect on their road trip on Thursday when they face the Detroit Red Wings.
Vancouver at Tampa Bay 7:30 PM ET
Andrei Vasilevskiy looked as dominant in net during the season opener as he was through most of 2017-18, and looks to match that effort when the Tampa Bay Lightning host the improving Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night. Vasilevskiy turned aside 42 of 43 shots and both shootout attempts as the Lightning edged Florida 2-1 on Saturday before the long wait for game two of the campaign.
Calgary at St. Louis 8:00 PM ET
The Calgary Flames and their red-hot first line consisting of Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan and Elias Lindholm visit the struggling St. Louis Blues on Thursday. The trio has combined for eight goals and 16 points in three games, including three goals and three assists in Tuesday's 3-0 victory at Nashville, as the acquisition of Lindholm in a blockbuster trade with the Carolina Hurricanes during the offseason appears to be working out.
Winnipeg at Nashville 8:00 PM ET
Kyle Connor led all NHL rookies in goals scored a season ago and his sophomore season is off to a great start as the Winnipeg Jets travel to face the Nashville Predators on Thursday, in a matchup of the top two teams in the 2017-18 regular season who later met in a grueling playoff series. Connor has scored a goal in each of the first three games this season, none bigger than his power-play marker that served as the game winner in Tuesday’s 2-1 home victory over Los Angeles.
Chicago at Minnesota 8:00 PM ET
The Chicago Blackhawks have stormed out of the gates offensively, while the Minnesota Wild have done anything but. Minnesota hopes to break out as it comes off a four-day layoff to host its Central Division rival Thursday.