Preview Roundups
March 17, 2018
Chicago at Buffalo 1:00 PM ET
The Chicago Blackhawks are finding out how the other half lives, playing out the string and set to miss the postseason for the first time since 2007-08. With three weeks left in the season, the Blackhawks are buried in the Central Division cellar as they prepare to visit another last-place club in the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday afternoon.
Edmonton at Florida 2:00 PM ET
The Florida Panthers are making a spirited late-season run at a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, buoyed by their stellar play on their home ice. The Panthers' recent success at BB&T Center will be tested on Saturday against their next opponent as they seek their first home win over the Edmonton Oilers in more than 15 years.
New Jersey at Los Angeles 4:00 PM ET
The Los Angeles Kings may be standing tall with a 21-9-1 mark against Eastern Conference representatives this season, but the New Jersey Devils knocked Jonathan Quick to the canvas with a decisive decision in December. Quick and company aim for retribution on Saturday when the Kings host the Devils at Staples Center.
Montreal at Toronto 7:00 PM ET
The rivalry between Montreal and Toronto has been decidedly tilted over the years, with the Canadiens entering this season riding a 14-game winning streak over the Maple Leafs. Toronto has turned the tables in 2017-18, winning both matchups in Montreal, and looks to make it three in a row over the visiting Canadiens on Saturday night.
Boston at Tampa Bay 7:00 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Lightning have had plenty of time to think about their last performance and hope to wipe it out of their memory Saturday night when they host the injury-hampered Boston Bruins for an Atlantic Division showdown. The first-place Lightning gave up a season-most in goals Tuesday in a 7-4 setback against Ottawa at home and look to extend their four-point lead on the second-place Bruins in the division.
Philadelphia at Carolina 7:00 PM ET
The Carolina Hurricanes have lost 10 of 13 (3-8-2) to fall out of favor in the Eastern Conference playoff picture while the Philadelphia Flyers are on the fast track to a similar fate should their woeful performance in March continue. The Flyers look to put the brakes on their current slump on Saturday when they visit the Hurricanes at PNC Arena.
Ottawa at Columbus 7:00 PM ET
The Columbus Blue Jackets look to extend their winning streak to a season-high seven games and potentially move into third place in the Metropolitan Division when they host the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. The Blue Jackets defeated Philadelphia 5-3 on Thursday to pull even in points with the Flyers for third in the Division and also have won six straight on home ice.
NY Rangers at St. Louis 8:00 PM ET
Losses in 10 of their last 13 contests (3-8-2) have sent the struggling St. Louis Blues to the outside of the Western Conference playoff picture. The Blues look to put a halt to the skid and complete a two-game season sweep of the New York Rangers on Saturday when the clubs meet at Scottrade Center.
Minnesota at Arizona 9:00 PM ET
The Minnesota Wild attempt to strengthen their hold on third place in the Central Division when they visit the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday. Minnesota withstood a late comeback attempt by Vegas on Friday to post a 4-2 road victory and move three points ahead of Colorado and Dallas for the final automatic playoff berth in the Central.
San Jose at Vancouver 10:00 PM ET
The San Jose Sharks continue their quest for first place in the Pacific Division as they conclude their three-game road trip Saturday against the struggling Vancouver Canucks. San Jose pulled within eight points of division-leading Vegas - and moved three ahead of third-place Los Angeles - on Friday as it extended its winning streak to three games with a 7-4 triumph in Calgary.