Preview Roundups
January 03, 2019
Minnesota at Toronto 2:00 PM ET
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been left with the bitter taste in their mouth after seeing their third five-game winning streak of the season halted by a listless performance. After being shut out for the second time in 2018-19, the Maple Leafs aim to get back on track Thursday afternoon when they host the Minnesota Wild.
Calgary at Boston 7:00 PM ET
The Boston Bruins move back indoors as they seek their third straight victory and sixth in eight games when they host the Pacific Division-leading Calgary Flames on Thursday. Boston improved to 2-1-0 all-time in the outdoor Winter Classic as David Pastrnak and Patrice Bergeron each recorded two points in Tuesday's 4-2 triumph over Chicago at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind.
Florida at Buffalo 7:00 PM ET
The Buffalo Sabres are trying to snap out of a funk but they may be without their best player when they host the Florida Panthers on Thursday night in the first game of the new calendar year for both Atlantic Division rivals. Sabres captain Jack Eichel had to exit Monday's 3-1 loss to the New York Islanders and was not at Wednesday's practice due to an upper-body injury.
Carolina at Philadelphia 7:00 PM ET
The Philadelphia Flyers brought in the new year in much the same manner as they ushered out the old: with a loss. After concluding a five-game road trip with four straight setbacks, the floundering Flyers bid to regain their footing on Thursday when they open a three-game homestand against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Chicago at NY Islanders 7:30 PM ET
The New York Islanders not only survived but thrived during a road-heavy schedule to close out 2018, winning four in a row and seven of eight to boost their standing in the Metropolitan Division. The upcoming schedule is much more favorable for the Islanders, who will play 11 games in 20 days starting with a home matchup versus the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night.
Vancouver at Montreal 7:30 PM ET
The Montreal Canadiens could have their star goaltender back in the crease when they host the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday. Carey Price, who hasn't played since Dec. 22 due to a lower-body injury, practiced on Wednesday and hopes to be on the ice when the Canadiens begin their three-game homestand.
Washington at St. Louis 8:00 PM ET
A six-game goal drought hardly is cause for alarm for most NHL players, but Alex Ovechkin's current fruitless stretch is his longest since he failed to score in six straight contests from Nov. 10-20, 2017. The three-time Hart Trophy recipient looks to end his current power outage and make some history on Thursday as the Washington Capitals open a three-game road trip against the St. Louis Blues at Enterprise Center.
Tampa Bay at Los Angeles 10:30 PM ET
The NHL-best Tampa Bay Lightning look to extend their point streak to 16 contests, after finishing off a historic month, when they continue a three-game California trip against the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night. The Lightning set franchise records for wins (13) and points (27) in December and are 14-0-1 in their last 15 contests after edging Anaheim 2-1 in overtime on Monday.