NHL Previews

The Arizona Coyotes won’t have long to dwell on their Wednesday loss to the Anaheim Ducks, as they return home to face the Montreal Canadiens in Tempe, Ariz., on Thursday. Two teams that entered the season with lesser expectations, the Coyotes and Canadiens have strung together competitive campaigns so far. They sit on nine and 12 points, good for third and fourth in the Central and Atlantic Divisions, respectively. For the Canadiens, coming off a

Stringing together wins on the young season has not been easy for the Edmonton Oilers. The same can’t be said for the surging Dallas Stars. Looking to build on just their second victory, the Oilers try to cool off the visiting Stars on Thursday night. To say Edmonton’s 2-5-1 start is a major disappointment would be a severe understatement. The Oilers have been outscored 32-22 overall and totaled just five goals while going 0-2-1 on

The Washington Capitals aim to win their fourth straight game on Thursday when they host the New York Islanders. The Capitals began their winning streak with a 6-4 victory in New Jersey before capturing the first two contests of their five-game homestand. Washington followed up a 3-2 shootout win over the Minnesota Wild last Friday with a 3-1 victory over the winless San Jose Sharks on Sunday. “It hasn’t been easy, certainly,” Capitals coach Spencer

The first month of the Peter Laviolette era ended with the New York Rangers completing their first unbeaten five-game road trip in team history. Off to a strong start under their new coach, the Rangers seek a sixth straight win Thursday night when they host the Carolina Hurricanes. The Rangers are playing their third home game this season and first since looking flat and getting outplayed in a 4-1 loss to the Nashville Predators two

The Detroit Red Wings averted a four-game winless streak with a late rally on Monday. They’ll look to ride that momentum into their home game against Florida on Thursday. Lucas Raymond’s overtime goal capped the Wings comeback against the New York Islanders. Detroit trailed 2-0 entering the third period and emerged with a 4-3 win. “In the third period and being down a couple (goals), a couple games in a row, and we haven’t been

The Columbus Blue Jackets have not had the start to the new campaign they wanted, but perhaps the best strategy Thursday would be to somehow take the Tampa Bay Lightning to overtime. Winning just three of its first nine games, the Metro Division club hosts the Lightning in the first of three matchups, two of them taking place in Ohio’s capital. If Thursday’s contest does go to overtime, something will ultimately have to give or

The Los Angeles Kings will try to continue their dominance on the road when they visit the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night. The Kings are 4-0-0 in away games this season, including Tuesday’s 4-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ten different Los Angeles players had at least one point, and goalie Cam Talbot again was sharp in stopping 29 of 30 shots. “(Toronto) is a tough building to play in,” Talbot said. “They come

After sweeping a four-game road trip for the first time in a decade, the Anaheim Ducks will open a five-game homestand on Wednesday night when they host the Arizona Coyotes. The Ducks concluded their trip, which began with wins at Columbus, Boston and Philadelphia, with a dramatic 4-3 victory at Pittsburgh on Monday night. Mason McTavish exited the penalty box after the first penalty of a 5-on-3 Pittsburgh power play expired, took a push pass

The Dallas Stars were a preseason favorite and they’re proving those prognostications were true. Having won four of their past five games and running neck-and-neck with the Colorado Avalanche for top spot in the Central Division, the Stars take their show on the road to begin a three-game Western Canada trip with Wednesday’s clash against the struggling Calgary Flames. Dallas is coming off an impressive 5-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday, a