Puck Previews: Eastern Conference playoff bubble showdowns

Here are your Puck Previews: Spotlighting the key games in NHL action, news and views as well as general frivolity. Make sure to stop back here for the nightly Three Stars when the games are finished.

Preview: New York Islanders at New York Rangers, 7 p.m. ET. The Rangers begin the night in eighth place in the East (76 points in 70 games) while the Islanders are in 14th (65 points in 70 games). The Blueshirts have won the last three against the Isles. Frans Nielsen, however, said the Islanders are motivated by their fans' hatred: "You can talk with a lot of fans at practice or after games, and you can really feel that hate they have. … You want to do it for your fans. You don't want to let them down. Especially when we play in a close game, when you sit on the bench, you can almost follow the fights in the stands. You can see that it's something special."

Preview: Atlanta Thrashers at New Jersey Devils, 7 p.m. ET. The Thrashers are in 10th place with 70 points in 69 games; the Devils are in 12th with 68 in 68, and defeated Atlanta in overtime last week. Marty Brodeur gets the start, and Travis Zajac will tie Ken Daneyko's team record by playing in his 388th consecutive regular season game tonight (provided there's no pregame calamity). Writes Bill Tiller: "winning tonight doesn't guarantee climbing a notch on the playoff ladder…it'll simply keep them in the discussion. But losing, especially in regulation, will deal one of these two teams a serious blow to their chances."

Preview: Carolina Hurricanes at Buffalo Sabres, 7:30 p.m. The Sabres are in the No. 7 seed with 76 points in 69 games, while the Hurricanes are hanging tough at No. 9 with 72 points in 69 games. Said Coach Paul Maurice: "We spent the first four and a half months of the season in ninth, chasing Atlanta. Then we've hit a rough patch here." As the News & Observer pointed out, the Canes' power play is ice cold to the tune of 0-for-21.

Preview: San Jose Sharks at Dallas Stars, 8:30 p.m. The Sharks are four points up in the Pacific over the Dallas Stars, who are seventh in the West at 82 points in 69 games. Dallas is looking for its fifth win in six games against the Sharks. Quiet morning for both teams … too quiet. (Not really. We just love the sound of that.)

Check out previews and updated scores for all of today's games on the Y! Sports NHL scores and scheds page. For tonight's starting goalies, check out Left Wing Lock.

Download or listen to today's episode of Puck Daddy Radio.