Preview Roundups
October 25, 2018
Philadelphia at Boston 7:00 PM ET
The Boston Bruins boast one of the NHL's most productive top lines, with Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak scoring 19 of the team's 31 goals and posting a combined plus-19 rating and 44 points this season. The top-heavy Bruins will look to that line once again on Thursday as they open a two-game homestand against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Montreal at Buffalo 7:00 PM ET
After a disastrous season in which they finished closer to the basement than first place, the Montreal Canadiens are off to a fast start and battling for the top spot in the Atlantic Division. Equally surprising is the play of the division rival Buffalo Sabres, who return home from a successful five-game road trip to host Montreal on Thursday night.
Nashville at New Jersey 7:00 PM ET
The New Jersey Devils were rolling along with four straight victories to start the season before hitting a speed bump and look to get back to their winning ways when the talented Nashville Predators pay a visit Thursday night. New Jersey allowed four goals to open the campaign 4-0-0, but gave up 10 while dropping the last two after Saturday’s 5-2 setback at Philadelphia.
Columbus at St. Louis 8:00 PM ET
The St. Louis Blues have suffered five one-goal losses, sandwiching their best performance of the season, and look to get on a roll when they open a seven-game homestand against the inconsistent Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday. St. Louis put it all together with a 4-1 win at Toronto on Saturday before coughing up a two-goal lead in the third period Monday during a 5-4 overtime loss at Winnipeg.
Los Angeles at Minnesota 8:00 PM ET
Defenseman Ryan Suter has had plenty of time to think about playing in his 1,000th career NHL game. After all, Minnesota answered a dizzying stretch of four contests in six nights by playing a waiting game that finally ends on Thursday as the Wild host the reeling Los Angeles Kings at Xcel Energy Center.
NY Rangers at Chicago 8:30 PM ET
The Chicago Blackhawks have not won consecutive games on the same homestand since February, a feat they will try to match when they host the New York Rangers on Thursday night. After suffering a pair of lopsided victories at United Center, Chicago forward Patrick Kane made playing better at home a point of emphasis prior to Tuesday's 3-1 win over Anaheim.
Anaheim at Dallas 8:30 PM ET
The Dallas Stars try for their second victory in 13 days over Anaheim when they complete a three-game homestand Thursday against the Ducks. Anaheim is making its second and final trip of the season to Dallas after a 5-3 setback on Oct. 13 - its fifth straight loss at American Airlines Center - as the Stars' Jamie Benn and Alexander Radulov each recorded a goal and an assist while Tyler Seguin added two assists.
Pittsburgh at Calgary 9:00 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Penguins shut down Auston Matthews and Toronto before outslugging Connor McDavid and Edmonton to emerge victorious in the first two contests of their four-game trek through Canada. The Penguins look to continue their good fortune on Thursday when they carry a five-game point streak (3-0-2) into the Scotiabank Saddledome to face the Calgary Flames.
Washington at Edmonton 9:00 PM ET
After getting victimized by one of the league's elite superstars in their latest defeat, the Edmonton Oilers must prepare to face another when they welcome Alex Ovechkin and the reigning Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals on Thursday night. Edmonton looks to bounce back from an overtime loss to Pittsburgh in the finale of a four-game homestand.
Vancouver at Arizona 10:00 PM ET
The Arizona Coyotes appear to have broken out of their season-opening offensive funk and hope to continue to produce as they begin a five-game homestand Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. Arizona was shut out three times over its first four contests of 2018-19 and scored more than one goal just once in its first five games before netting a total of 11 tallies in its last three.