NHL Previews

With a hold on the Western Conference’s first wild-card spot, the Los Angeles Kings control their own playoff fortunes. However, as the Kings visit the Calgary Flames on Tuesday, that grasp has become a little more tenuous following a 4-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Monday in the opener of a three-game trip through Western Canada. Making the sting of defeat even worse, Los Angeles wasted a golden opportunity to extend a 2-1 lead

The NHL’s hottest road team looks to finally get rolling on home ice when the Nashville Predators host the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday. The Predators are on a five-game winning streak, with all five victories coming away from home. It marked the first time in franchise history that Nashville went unbeaten on a road trip of at least five games. Nashville was only 1-4-1 in its six games heading into the road trip, and goaltender

Patrick Kane’s unforgettable night capped off an exhilarating weekend for the Detroit Red Wings. Kane and his teammates will try to carry that momentum into their home game against Washington on Tuesday night. Kane started off the Red Wings’ big weekend by scoring in the first minute of their Saturday afternoon home game against St. Louis. That sparked Detroit to a 6-1 victory. The future Hall of Famer then returned to Chicago on Sunday for

Judging by the Boston Bruins’ recent form, fans in Seattle might get ready for some bonus hockey Monday night at Climate Pledge Arena. The Bruins, who entered the week tied for first place in the Eastern Conference with the New York Rangers, have worked overtime in each of their past five games and six of their past seven. The only game during that stretch that was decided in regulation came Feb. 15 in Boston, a

In pursuit of a playoff spot, the Washington Capitals already have little room for error, so cooling off the surging Ottawa Senators is essential for the host Capitals on Monday night. Washington has some work to do to move into a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Capitals had won three in a row before failing to hold a late 2-1 lead during Saturday’s 3-2 overtime loss at Florida. “We know how valuable points

The Dallas Stars are about to begin a stretch of games that could determine whether they finish first, second or third in the Central Division. The New York Islanders already are in a stretch that likely will decide if they enter March with any playoff hopes at all. The Stars will look to maintain their lead atop the Central Division standings and the Islanders will attempt to begin climbing back into the postseason race when

The honeymoon is over for Edmonton Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch. The Oilers have lost three in a row, all at home, heading into their matchup against the visiting Los Angeles Kings on Monday night, the first speed bump for Edmonton since Jay Woodcroft was fired on Nov. 12 and Knoblauch took over. “This could be the best thing for our group heading down the stretch, learning how to not have the stretches that we’re having

If the Nashville Predators are to complete a perfect road stretch, they must find a way to avoid being swept in their season series by the Anaheim Ducks. The Predators will eye a fifth consecutive victory when they visit the Ducks on Sunday in Anaheim, Calif. Nashville was mired in a 2-6-1 rut before embarking on a five-game road run and has outscored opponents 18-8 in winning the first four — and moved into the

The last time the New York Rangers were on the verge of winning 11 consecutive games came in 1973, and they ran into one of the NHL’s all-time dynasties in the Montreal Canadiens — and settled for a tie. This time, the Rangers are facing the team with the fewest points in the Eastern Conference. New York will attempt to set a team record with an 11th straight victory Sunday night when they visit the