Preview Roundups
April 02, 2019
Nashville at Buffalo 7:00 PM ET
Winning the Central Division title did not pay off for the Nashville Predators last season after they were bounced by second-place Winnipeg in the second round of the playoffs. The Predators are in a much tighter battle for divisional supremacy this season as they prepare to play their final road game at the woeful Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night.
Boston at Columbus 7:00 PM ET
Just as the Columbus Blue Jackets appeared ready to slide completely out of postseason contention, they have made a dramatic turnaround to surge into possession of the top wild card in the Eastern Conference. Columbus will aim for a season-high sixth consecutive victory and has a chance to clinch a playoff spot when it hosts the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night.
Carolina at Toronto 7:30 PM ET
Coach Rod Brind'Amour was pretty direct when discussing what he feels is required for the Carolina Hurricanes to advance to the playoffs for the first time since 2009. "We've got to win our next three (games)," said Brind'Amour, who will look to see if his team can take the first step in backing up his words on Tuesday when it visits the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Tampa Bay at Montreal 7:30 PM ET
The Montreal Canadiens can’t afford to let any points get away as they begin the final week of their quest for a playoff spot with a home contest against the Presidents' Trophy-winning Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday. Montreal has earned points in six of its last seven contests (5-1-1) after posting a 3-1 win at Winnipeg on Saturday but trails Carolina by one for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference with three games to go - all against teams in a playoff position.
Pittsburgh at Detroit 7:30 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Penguins have elevated their play over the last month to remain on the fast track toward securing their 13th straight postseason appearance. The Penguins officially can punch their ticket to the playoffs on Tuesday when they play the opener of a home-and-home series against the visiting Detroit Red Wings.
Winnipeg at Minnesota 8:00 PM ET
After ending the home portion of their schedule with three straight losses, the Winnipeg Jets nearly began their season-ending four-game road trip with another setback. The Jets managed to prevail and maintain their lead in the Central Division, and now look to extend it when they visit the desperate Minnesota Wild on Tuesday.
Philadelphia at Dallas 8:30 PM ET
The Dallas Stars captured seven of eight points on their recent four-game road trip to move within an eyelash of securing a postseason berth. Needing just one point to reach the playoffs for the first time in three seasons, the Stars look to punch their ticket in front of their own fans on Tuesday when they host the Philadelphia Flyers.
Edmonton at Colorado 9:00 PM ET
The Colorado Avalanche earned a key result last time out and look to extend their point streak to nine games while remaining in a playoff position when they host the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. Alexander Kerfoot scored with 47 seconds left in regulation on Monday to forge a tie before the Avalanche dropped a 3-2 decision in a shootout at St. Louis and lead Arizona by two points for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference.
San Jose at Vancouver 10:00 PM ET
The San Jose Sharks are locked into second place in the Pacific Division and know who their postseason first-round opponent will be, but they hardly look playoff-ready entering the final week of the regular season. San Jose will look to snap out of its funk when it visits the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night.
Los Angeles at Arizona 10:00 PM ET
The Arizona Coyotes have been superb at home of late, and they'll need to be again when they host the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday if they hope to remain alive in the playoff race. Arizona sits two points behind Colorado for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference with three games remaining.