NHL Previews

The Edmonton Oilers are searching for any positives they can find heading into their matchup against the visiting Nashville Predators on Saturday afternoon. After reaching the Western Conference finals last spring and entering this fall full of optimism they could take it all the way, the Oilers have lost seven of their first nine games (2-6-1). “It’s not the start anybody wanted. There’s lots of expectations on this group,” Edmonton forward Sam Gagner said after

A terrible third period in Columbus has put the Tampa Bay Lightning in a sour mood to start their four-game road trip. After surrendering a trio of third-period goals against the Blue Jackets in Thursday’s 4-2 loss, the Lightning visit Canada’s capital to face the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night. Coach Jon Cooper and the Lightning intend to leave the baggage from Thursday’s disaster at customs. Nursing a 2-1 lead in the third period, Cooper’s

The Boston Bruins emerged victorious against the Detroit Red Wings last Saturday as part of their franchise-record, season-opening point streak. They’ll look for a repeat this Saturday when they visit the Red Wings. Boston posted a 4-1 home win over the Red Wings, then won in overtime against Florida on Monday and via a shootout versus Toronto on Thursday. The Bruins are now 9-0-1, their best start in franchise history. “It’s such a fun group

The Sabres will aim for their second win over the Philadelphia Flyers in three nights when the two clubs meet in Buffalo on Friday. The quick rematch comes after a 5-2 Sabres victory Wednesday in Philadelphia, a result that Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim found “frustrating” for his team. The Flyers outshot Buffalo by a lopsided 40-15 margin, and Joel Farabee scored to give Philadelphia the early lead just 55 seconds into the game. The score

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