Preview Roundups
October 21, 2017
Nashville at NY Rangers 12:30 PM ET
The Nashville Predators have turned things around with defense after a rough start to the season and look to extend their point streak to six games when they visit the struggling New York Rangers on Saturday afternoon. The Predators allowed 13 goals while losing two of the first three games of the season, but limited their last four opponents to a total of four tallies after a 1-0 victory at Philadelphia on Thursday.
Edmonton at Philadelphia 1:00 PM ET
Cam Talbot was arguably the second-biggest reason for Edmonton's rise back to prominence in 2016-17 and it again appears the Oilers will go only as far as their goaltender and captain Connor McDavid take them this season as they visit the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday afternoon. Talbot bounced back from three straight sub-par performances with a 2-1 overtime victory in Chicago on Thursday that helped Edmonton snap a four-game losing streak.
Buffalo at Boston 7:00 PM ET
The Buffalo Sabres haven't had much success thus far this season, but the little they have enjoyed has come on the road. Buffalo attempts to extend its road point streak to three games when it visits the Boston Bruins on Saturday.
Toronto at Ottawa 7:00 PM ET
This season's first Battle of Ontario has some added juice with the high-powered Toronto Maple Leafs set to bring the league's top-ranked offense into Saturday night's clash against the host Ottawa Senators. The Maple Leafs, led by 2016 No. 1 overall draft pick Auston Matthews, are averaging nearly five goals per game during their 6-1-0 start.
Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay 7:00 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Lightning look to remain unbeaten on home ice and knock off the two-time defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins for the second time in 10 days at Amalie Arena when the Eastern Conference heavyweights meet on Saturday. The Lightning are 4-0-0 at home and have earned at least one point in six straight games overall after blanking Columbus 2-0 on Thursday.
San Jose at NY Islanders 7:00 PM ET
The San Jose Sharks began the road portion of their schedule with a bang and aim for a repeat performance when they continue their five-game trip Saturday against the New York Islanders. San Jose kicked off the season with a 2-3-0 homestand before posting a 3-0 triumph at New Jersey on Friday.
Los Angeles at Columbus 7:00 PM ET
The Los Angeles Kings are off to their best six-game start in history and are the only NHL team without a regulation loss, but they have a major injury concern heading into their longest road trip of the season. The Kings will be without center Jeff Carter indefinitely when they begin a six-game trek against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday.
Florida at Washington 7:30 PM ET
One day after becoming the first player in the league to reach double figures in goals, captain Alex Ovechkin looks to continue his success against Florida when the Washington Capitals host the Panthers on Saturday. Ovechkin increased his total to 10 goals when he scored in overtime to beat Detroit 4-3 on Friday and has torched the Panthers for 35 goals and 38 assists in 57 career meetings.
Carolina at Dallas 8:00 PM ET
The Carolina Hurricanes look to finish a difficult early-season road trip with a winning record when they visit the surging Dallas Stars on Saturday night. The Hurricanes knocked off Calgary 2-1 on Thursday to gain a point for the fourth time in five games to open the season after splitting the first two contests on the trip with a loss at Winnipeg and an impressive victory at Edmonton.
Chicago at Arizona 9:00 PM ET
The Chicago Blackhawks have cooled off after a fast start but have a good chance to get back on track when they visit the an opponent they have dominated of late. The Blackhawks have dropped two in a row and four of six entering Saturday's road contest against the skidding Arizona Coyotes, who are the only team in the league that has yet to record a victory.
Minnesota at Calgary 10:00 PM ET
The Minnesota Wild conclude a season-opening stretch during which they play five of six games on the road Saturday, when they visit the Calgary Flames. Minnesota recorded a surprising victory at Chicago on Oct. 12 but went 0-2-1 in the other three away from home, including a 4-3 setback at Winnipeg on Friday.
St. Louis at Vegas 10:30 PM ET
The Vegas Golden Knights are off to the best start by an NHL expansion team (5-1-0) and hope to continue their winning ways when they host the formidable St. Louis Blues on Saturday. Vegas, which has also matched the 1917-18 Montreal Canadiens for the most successful beginning to an inaugural season, improved to 3-1-0 on its seven-game homestand with a 5-4 overtime victory over Buffalo on Tuesday.