Preview Roundups
March 31, 2018
Florida at Boston 1:00 PM ET
The Boston Bruins now own the inside track to win the Atlantic Division and the Florida Panthers will have a lot to say about whether they can accomplish that feat. The Bruins host the Panthers on Saturday afternoon in the first of three meetings between the two division foes in the last nine days of the regular season, with a lot on the line for both teams.
Ottawa at Detroit 2:00 PM ET
The Detroit Red Wings are happy to be home after snapping a long losing streak on the road while the Ottawa Senators are relieved to halt an ugly slide of their own. With nothing to play for except draft position, the Atlantic Division rivals wrap up their four-game season series with a matchup in Detroit on Saturday afternoon.
Columbus at Vancouver 4:00 PM ET
March has been exceptionally kind to the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are 12-1-0 in their last 13 contests overall and have set franchise record for goals in a month with 59. Artemi Panarin has erupted for 21 points (eight goals, 13 assists) in March and aims to add to that total on Saturday as the Blue Jackets wrap up a three-game road trip versus the Vancouver Canucks.
Winnipeg at Toronto 7:00 PM ET
The Toronto Maple Leafs can match the franchise record for points in a season when they vie for their ninth victory in 11 games Saturday against the visiting Winnipeg Jets. The Maple Leafs reached 100 points for the fourth time with Friday’s 5-4 road win over the New York Islanders and can tie the team record of 103 set in 2003-04 with a triumph over playoff-bound Winnipeg.
NY Islanders at New Jersey 7:00 PM ET
The New Jersey Devils attempt to strengthen their hold on a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference and extend their point streak to five contests when they conclude a four-game homestand Saturday against the New York Islanders. New Jersey holds a three-point lead over Florida for the second wild card and trails Philadelphia by three for the first spot with five games remaining.
Montreal at Pittsburgh 7:00 PM ET
Superstar captain Sidney Crosby extended his five-game goal-scoring streak in much the same manner in which it began: in highlight-reel fashion. Crosby, who began his recent scoring spree by batting the puck out of the air against Montreal, looks to lift the Pittsburgh Penguins to a season sweep of the Canadiens on Saturday when the teams meet at PPG Paints Arena.
NY Rangers at Carolina 7:00 PM ET
The Carolina Hurricanes seek their fifth victory in six games and attempt to stave off playoff elimination for another day when they host the New York Rangers on Saturday. The Hurricanes knocked off Metropolitan Division-leading Washington 4-1 on Friday to keep alive their faint postseason chances but will need four victories and a lot of help to accomplish their goal.
Buffalo at Nashville 8:00 PM ET
The Nashville Predators are closing in on the top seed in the Western Conference and trying to maintain their slim lead in the race for the Presidents' Trophy. Two nights after setting a franchise record for points in a season with 111, Nashville looks to pad its cushion when it hosts the NHL-worst Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night.
Minnesota at Dallas 8:00 PM ET
The Minnesota Wild look to extend their point streak to eight games by completing a home-and-home sweep of the reeling Dallas Stars on Saturday at American Airlines Center. Minnesota, which owns a 4-0-3 mark in its last seven contests, has positioned itself well for a sixth straight postseason appearance while Dallas' playoff aspirations are fading fast in the midst of a 1-7-2 run.
St. Louis at Arizona 9:00 PM ET
The St. Louis Blues earned a point last time out, which helped them climb into the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. St. Louis looks to overtake Anaheim for the first wild card Saturday with a victory over the host Arizona Coyotes.
Edmonton at Calgary 10:00 PM ET
Edmonton may be playing out the string, but captain Connor McDavid is making a late push to win the Hart Trophy as league MVP for the second straight season despite his team's poor standing as the Oilers visit the Calgary Flames on Saturday. McDavid has seven goals and six assists in his last five games, and with an NHL-most 103 points is steamrolling toward at least collecting his second straight Art Ross Trophy as the league's top point-getter.
San Jose at Vegas 10:30 PM ET
The Vegas Golden Knights likely won't catch Nashville for the top spot in the Western Conference, but they can secure the Pacific Division title when they face the San Jose Sharks on Saturday in their final home game of the regular season. The expansion Golden Knights will clinch the division crown with a regulation victory as they lead the Sharks by seven points with four games remaining.