Preview Roundups
December 29, 2017
Buffalo at New Jersey 7:00 PM ET
The New Jersey Devils are the surprise leaders of the ultra-competitive Metropolitan Division with goaltender Cory Schneider leading the way as they wrap up a six-game homestand against the struggling Buffalo Sabres on Friday. New Jersey came out of the break with a 3-1 victory over Detroit on Wednesday for its season-high fifth straight win, with Schneider allowing 10 goals during that span and improving to 17-6-4.
Columbus at Ottawa 7:30 PM ET
The Ottawa Senators, who were one goal from making the Stanley Cup final last season, continue to fade farther from playoff position and it doesn’t get any easier when the Columbus Blue Jackets pay a visit Friday. The Senators have lost four in a row (0-3-1) and nine of the past 11 games (2-7-2) after dropping a 5-1 decision at Boston on Wednesday despite allowing only 23 shots.
NY Rangers at Detroit 7:30 PM ET
With ice-cold temperatures expected for the upcoming Winter Classic, the New York Rangers have been heating up by collecting at least a point in five of their last six games (4-1-1) heading into Friday's tilt against the host Detroit Red Wings. The Rangers have had their way with the Red Wings, against whom they have a 10-2-2 mark in the last 14 encounters.
Philadelphia at Tampa Bay 7:30 PM ET
The red-hot Tampa Bay Lightning go after their franchise record-tying ninth straight win on home ice and 11th in 12 games overall when they host the inconsistent Philadelphia Flyers on Friday. The Lightning pulled away in the third period for a 3-1 victory over Montreal on Thursday as captain Steven Stamkos registered his third multi-goal performance of the season with a pair.
Pittsburgh at Carolina 7:30 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Penguins are coming off a win that many of the players felt was their biggest of the season, but the afterglow of the come-from-behind victory did not last long. Goaltender Matt Murray will be among four players sidelined when Pittsburgh opens a three-game road trip at the resurgent Carolina Hurricanes on Friday night.
Nashville at Minnesota 8:00 PM ET
The Minnesota Wild emerged from the Christmas break to put together a strong performance and hope it works as a springboard when they host the Nashville Predators on Friday for the first of a home-and-home set. The Wild knocked off Dallas 4-2 on Wednesday to earn a point for the ninth time in their last 10 home contests (8-1-1) after dropping four of the previous five overall.
NY Islanders at Winnipeg 8:00 PM ET
The Winnipeg Jets have soared toward the top of the Western Conference standings thanks in part to the play of its four lines, but those combinations will be reshuffled entering Friday’s home contest against the New York Islanders. The Jets lost top-line center Mark Scheifele, second on the team with 38 points, to an upper-body injury in Wednesday’s 4-3 victory over Edmonton that will sideline him for six-to-eight weeks.
St. Louis at Dallas 8:30 PM ET
The St. Louis Blues and Dallas Stars stumbled out of the break with losses to Central rivals and face another big division game when they clash in the Lone Star State on Friday. St. Louis is tied with Winnipeg for second in the Central, one point behind Nashville after its 2-1 loss to the Predators on Wednesday while Dallas sits five points behind the Blues and is seventh in the Western Conference after Wednesday's 4-2 setback at Minnesota.
Toronto at Colorado 9:00 PM ET
The Toronto Maple Leafs attempt to make it three straight road victories when they continue their five-game trip Friday against the Colorado Avalanche. Toronto lost the opener of its trek in Columbus before edging the New York Rangers 3-2 on Saturday and trouncing Arizona 7-4 on Thursday.
Chicago at Edmonton 9:00 PM ET
The Chicago Blackhawks continue their quest for a victory on their six-game road trip when they visit the Edmonton Oilers on Friday. Chicago has been outscored 13-3 while losing each of the first three contests on the trek, including Thursday's 5-2 setback in Vancouver.
Calgary at Anaheim 10:00 PM ET
The Anaheim Ducks hope to rebound from a disappointing effort last time out when they attempt to start another long home winning streak against the Calgary Flames on Friday. The Ducks, who lost for the first time in 26 home games against Calgary on Oct. 9, managed just 13 shots over the final two periods of Wednesday’s 4-1 loss to visiting Vegas.