The written preview lands about a day and a half before the game, once the lineups, the injuries and the market have settled. Until then the boards below carry the matchup: recent form, how the two sides compare, and where each of them sits.
The full preview, matchup keys, probable starters and the storylines to watch, posts closer to game time, once lineups are set.
The full ladder, with both clubs marked.
Buffalo Sabres50-23.665OT1
Tampa Bay Lightning50-26.646L1
Montreal Canadiens48-24.646L1
Boston Bruins45-27.610W2
Ottawa Senators44-27.604W1
Carolina Hurricanes53-22.689W1
Pittsburgh Penguins41-25.598L3
Philadelphia Flyers43-27.598W3
Washington Capitals43-30.579W4
Columbus Blue Jackets40-30.561L2
New Jersey Devils42-37.530L1
Colorado Avalanche55-16.738W3
Dallas Stars50-20.683W5
Minnesota Wild46-24.634W1
Utah Hockey Club43-33.561L1
St. Louis Blues37-33.524W4
Vegas Golden Knights39-26.579W3
Edmonton Oilers41-30.567W1
Anaheim Ducks43-33.561W1
Los Angeles Kings35-27.549L1
San Jose Sharks39-35.524W1