NHL Previews

Since the calendar flipped, the Detroit Red Wings have been the standard of consistency, securing a point in all seven of their games, winning six while dropping one in overtime. After a solid start to the season, the Red Wings went through hiccups but have picked up momentum heading into their matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday in Raleigh, N.C., hoping to extend their win streak to four and points streak to eight. Detroit,

The new year has not been kind to the Ottawa Senators. However, they have been at their best of late when facing the Montreal Canadiens. On Thursday night, the reeling Senators eye a seventh straight victory over the visiting Canadiens, who will try for a season-high third consecutive win. Though Ottawa resides at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with 30 points, it closed 2023 with three wins in four games. However, the Senators have

The Pacific Division-leading Vancouver Canucks return home to open a five-game homestand against the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday night. The Canucks concluded a seven-game road trip on Monday with a 4-3 shootout loss in Columbus. Vancouver has just one regulation loss in its last eight games (6-1-1) and is 7-2-1 over its past 10. “It’s been a hell of a (road) trip. There’s been a lot thrown at the guys, and you can tell they’re

On the heels of back-to-back wins over the Washington Capitals and Seattle Kraken, the New York Rangers begin a four-game road trip against the defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday night in Las Vegas. The Metropolitan Division-leading Rangers, who are 13-7-2 on the road, will also visit California for a weekend back-to-back against the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks before finishing the trip at San Jose on Tuesday. It’s part of

The Los Angeles Kings are hoping a return to familiar territory will help end their post-Christmas slide. The Kings have lost nine of their past 10 games heading into Thursday night’s matchup against the visiting Nashville Predators. The downturn for Los Angeles began with a 3-2 loss at the Vegas Golden Knights on Dec. 28, continued with three straight home losses and then followed the Kings on their six-game road trip, where they finished 1-3-2

Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin has been working his way back from a minor lower-leg injury that caused him to miss three games. He could return Thursday night when the Capitals host the St. Louis Blues during the opening game of a home-and-home series. The teams will play again Saturday in St. Louis. Ovechkin was a game-time decision Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks, and Capitals coach Spencer Carbery held him out. Washington played a tight

The surging Philadelphia Flyers will look for their fifth consecutive victory when they host the Dallas Stars on Thursday. In what was expected to be a rebuilding season, the Flyers have continued to play at a higher level than expected. Following a 3-2 shootout win over the Montreal Canadiens on Jan. 10, the Flyers swept a three-game road trip with victories over the Minnesota Wild, Winnipeg Jets and St. Louis Blues. Owen Tippett’s go-ahead goal

Looking to extend their points streak to seven games, the Boston Bruins host the Colorado Avalanche in a battle of NHL heavyweights Thursday night. Boston shut out New Jersey 3-0 Monday to cushion its lead in the overall NHL standings and continue a points streak (3-0-3) that began Jan. 6. While Charlie Coyle, David Pastrnak and Trent Frederic scored goals, the Bruins left the goaltending to Jeremy Swayman, who made 31 saves in his third

Considering how poorly the Chicago Blackhawks have played on the road, the Buffalo Sabres might finally win consecutive home games for the first time this season. Looking to build on a complete performance from their most recent home outing, the Sabres will try to hand the Blackhawks a 16th straight road defeat on Wednesday night. Buffalo’s Casey Mittelstadt had a goal and two assists and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 28 saves for his second career shutout