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NHL schedule and starting goaltenders: Northeast action highlights night

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USA TODAY Sports

There are nine games in the NHL on Thursday night. Here's a look at the schedule and the expected goaltending matchups.

There are nine games scheduled in the NHL on Thursday night, with six games scheduled in the Eastern Conference and three games scheduled out West.

The focus of the night can probably be isolated on the Northeast Division race, as the Boston Bruins will have another opportunity to pass the Montreal Canadiens. However, that move would require the Bruins to defeat the Ottawa Senators and the Canadiens to lose to the New York Islanders.

Regardless of result, it's safe to say that the Northeast has surpassed the Atlantic as the most competitive division in the Eastern Conference, if not the entire league.

Here's a full look at the schedule and Wednesday night's starting goaltenders:

Toronto Maple Leafs at Buffalo Sabres
7 p.m. ET | TV: SNET-O, MSG-B
Goalies: Ben Scrivens (expected), Ryan Miller (confirmed)
Blog coverage: Pension Plan Puppets, Die by the Blade

Montreal Canadiens at New York Islanders
7 p.m. ET | TV: RDS, MSG PLUS
Goalies: Carey Price (expected), Kevin Poulin (confirmed)
Blog coverage: Eyes on the Prize, Lighthouse Hockey

Florida Panthers at New York Rangers
7 p.m. ET | TV: FS-F, MSG
Goalies: TBD, Henrik Lundqvist (expected)
Blog coverage: Litter Box Cats, Blueshirt Banter

New Jersey Devils at Carolina Hurricanes
7 p.m. ET | TV: NHLN-US, MSG PLUS 2, FS-CR
Goalies: Martin Brodeur (expected), Dan Ellis (expected)
Blog coverage: In Lou We Trust, Canes Country

Boston Bruins at Ottawa Senators
7:30 p.m. ET | TV: NESN, SNET-E, TVA
Goalies: TBD, Robin Lehner (confirmed)
Blog coverage: Stanley Cup of Chowder, Silver Seven

Washington Capitals at Winnipeg Jets
8 p.m. ET | TV: CSN-DC, TSN-JETS
Goalies: Braden Holtby (expected), TBD
Blog coverage: Japers' Rink, Arctic Ice Hockey

Calgary Flames at Nashville Predators
8 p.m. ET | TV: SNET-W, FS-TN
Goalies: TBD, Pekka Rinne (expected)
Blog coverage: Matchsticks and Gasoline, On the Forecheck

Vancouver Canucks at Phoenix Coyotes
10 p.m. ET | TV: SNET-P, FS-A
Goalies: TBD, Mike Smith (expected)
Blog coverage: Nucks Misconduct, Five for Howling

Dallas Stars at Los Angeles Kings
10:30 p.m. ET | TV: FS-SW, FS-W
Goalies: Kari Lehtonen (expected), Jonathan Quick (expected)
Blog coverage: Defending Big D, Jewels from the Crown

More in the NHL:

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Printable bracket for March Madness

Crosby back with a vengeance

All the NHL trade rumors

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