Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Around the Rink - Wednesday, December 15th

evanderkane

James O’Brien

Here are previews for tonight’s 11 games. As usual, all start times are Eastern Standard Time (ET).

7:00 pm

Phoenix @ New Jersey

The Coyotes and Devils are prime examples of the disparity at the lower levels of the two conferences. While New Jersey is so far behind the pack that some wonder if they’re already out of playoff contention, Phoenix is only four points behind the Pacific Division lead and seven points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the overall lead in the West.

So yeah, the West is better.

Anaheim @ Washington

On paper, this should be an easy win for Washington. The Caps have 12 of their 18 wins at home while the Ducks only won five in 15 games on the road. Yet, you know the drill: the West tends to beat the East more often than not. If nothing else, the offense on both sides should make for an entertaining contest.

Boston @ Buffalo

Despite losing their last game, the Bruins are now only two points behind the Canadiens for the top spot in the Northeast and Boston also owns two games in hand. Beating the stuck-in-the-bubble Sabres would be very helpful, especially considering the daunting task facing the Habs tonight.

NY Rangers @ Pittsburgh

The Rangers won’t get the chance to end the Penguins’ winning streak after Pittsburgh lost to Philadelphia last night, but they can start a losing trend for their division rivals tonight. They’re more rested than Pittsburgh, so it might come down to whether or not the Penguins are more angry or tired on these back-to-back games.

7:30 pm

Atlanta @ Tampa Bay

With the Capitals on a six-game losing streak, the Thrashers and Lightning can entertain the idea of leading the Southeast Division sooner than almost anyone imagined. Atlanta could tie Washington’s record (before the Caps play tonight, though) while Tampa Bay would only be one point behind them, depending on who wins tonight.

Carolina @ Florida

Tonight’s games feature the other Southeast Division teams, as the Hurricanes and Panthers also square off. Carolina is a model of up-and-down mediocrity (12-12-4) while it’s difficult to say if Florida is mediocre or just bad.

Philadelphia @ Montreal

The Habs will have Scott Gomez and Jaroslav Spacek back, but will that be enough for them to beat the newly crowned kings of the Eastern Conference? It should be fun to see another rematch of last summer’s conference finals either way.

St. Louis @ Detroit

With the Blues being seriously depleted by injuries and the Red Wings so clearly strong at home, it would seem like a shoo-in for Detroit. That might happen, but don’t count scrappy old St. Louis.

8:00 pm

San Jose @ Nashville

It’s almost a joke at this point; since the days of Tomas Vokoun, the Predators have had resounding success when their should-be starter goes down with an injury. This time around, it’s Anders Lindback carrying the torch for Pekka Rinne. The result is hard to deny: Nashville is going for their fourth win a row against San Jose tonight.

8:30 pm

Colorado @ Chicago

The Avalanche and Blackhawks share the same numbers of wins (16) but Colorado has more points (36 to 35) in two less games. The Avs are quietly hot, too, as they’re on a three game winning streak.

10:00 pm

Columbus @ Vancouver

To show how closely matched the West is: the Canucks are tied with the Avalanche (but with less games played) and only two points ahead of the Blue Jackets. In other words, it seems like just about every game matters in this wacky conference.