Preview Roundups
April 08, 2017
NY Rangers at Ottawa 12:30 PM ET
Fresh off a huge victory that secured a spot in the postseason, the Ottawa Senators still have some unfinished business as they prepare to host the New York Rangers on Saturday afternoon. The Senators, who lead third-place Boston by one point in the Atlantic with a game in hand, can wrap up second place in the division with a victory in either of their last two games.
Columbus at Philadelphia 12:30 PM ET
The Columbus Blue Jackets picked an unfortunate time to be mired in a five-game losing streak, as the season-high skid ended any chance for home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The Blue Jackets look to turn their fortunes around and make themselves at home on the road Saturday afternoon when they visit the Philadelphia Flyers.
Washington at Boston 3:00 PM ET
The Boston Bruins could be facing their first-round opponent in the playoffs when they host the Washington Capitals on Saturday afternoon. Washington already has wrapped up the best record in the league and has nothing for which to play, but Boston still has a chance to finish in the top three in the Atlantic Division and thus avoid a postseason matchup against a major nemesis.
NY Islanders at New Jersey 6:00 PM ET
While the New York Islanders are in the midst of quite the uphill climb, their season-high four-game winning streak has helped prevent the club from falling off the mountain in their bid for a playoff berth. The Islanders look to continue their surge on Saturday against a favorable foe in the host New Jersey Devils, against whom they have an 11-1-1 mark in the last 13 encounters.
Chicago at Los Angeles 6:00 PM ET
With the Western Conference's top seed comfortably in their back pocket, the Chicago Blackhawks have prioritized rest over results as they prepare for a potential grueling postseason run. The Blackhawks will look to continue to walk that fine line on Saturday as they play their regular-season finale against the host Los Angeles Kings.
Nashville at Winnipeg 7:00 PM ET
The Nashville Predators still have an outside shot at finishing third in the Central Division entering Saturday’s regular-season finale at the Winnipeg Jets, and appear to have busted out of a goal-scoring slump. Viktor Arvidsson and Craig Smith each scored twice in Nashville’s 7-3 victory Thursday at Dallas, as the Predators matched their goal output from the past five games.
Pittsburgh at Toronto 7:00 PM ET
The Toronto Maple Leafs have answered a four-game winning streak with back-to-back three-goal losses to remain on the cusp of clinching their first postseason berth in four seasons. Rookie Auston Matthews and company look to punch their ticket against a club that has qualified for the NHL's second season in 11 straight years on Saturday when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Montreal at Detroit 7:00 PM ET
The Atlantic Division-champion Montreal Canadiens attempt to avoid entering the playoffs with a three-game losing streak when they pay their final visit to Joe Louis Arena on Saturday for a matchup against the Original Six-rival Detroit Red Wings. Montreal is hoping to enter its first-round series versus the New York Rangers on a high note after suffering back-to-back losses to Buffalo and Tampa Bay.
Buffalo at Florida 7:00 PM ET
Two teams that disappointed after coming into the season with playoff aspirations look to avoid the prospect of finishing last in the Atlantic Division when the Florida Panthers host the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night. Buffalo is sixth after beating Montreal 3-1 on Wednesday, leads Florida by a point and is two clear of last-place Detroit in the division with two games left.
St. Louis at Carolina 7:00 PM ET
The St. Louis Blues will be going into the postseason playing their best hockey of the season and look to seal third place in the Central Division when they visit the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night. The Blues are 8-1-2 in their last 11 after a 6-3 triumph over Florida on Thursday and need one point in their final two games to hold off Nashville for a chance to take on Minnesota in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Colorado at Dallas 8:00 PM ET
The Dallas Stars close the curtain on their disappointing season when they host the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday, missing the postseason one year after leading the Western Conference with 109 points. Dallas (77 points) fell to Nashville 7-3 on Thursday for its second loss in three games, allowing 13 goals in those setbacks as its 257 allowed this season is the second-most in the NHL to Colorado's 270.
Minnesota at Arizona 9:00 PM ET
Having already matched franchise records for wins and points, the Minnesota Wild will wind up the regular season with a visit to the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday night. Minnesota has locked up second place in the Central Division and will play either St. Louis or Nashville in the opening round of the postseason.
Edmonton at Vancouver 10:00 PM ET
The Edmonton Oilers attempt to keep alive their slim hopes for a division title when they visit the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday for the opener of a season-ending home-and-home series. Edmonton trails Anaheim by four points for first place in the Pacific Division but would take the crown with a pair of non-shootout victories and a regulation loss by the Ducks against Los Angeles on Sunday.
Calgary at San Jose 10:00 PM ET
The San Jose Sharks are all but locked in as the third-place team in the Pacific Division, but they attempt to keep alive their slight chance to finish second when they host the Calgary Flames on Saturday in the regular-season finale for both clubs. San Jose had been in the running for the division title until it lost eight of nine games to conclude the month of March.