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Pair of rematches highlight busy Thursday in the NHL

Thursday, 12.17.2009 / 1:10 AM / Game Previews

NHL.com

There's nothing like a good grudge match to get a hockey fan's blood flowing. Thursday's nine-game schedule offers a pair of games that are the back end of home-and-home series.

Both are among the five games that face off at 7 p.m. ET.

In Philadelphia, the Flyers host the Penguins and need a win to avoid the first home-and-home sweep by the Penguins in 17 years. Pittsburgh rolled to an easy 6-1 win over the Flyers at Mellon Arena on Tuesday.

About 100 miles to the northeast, the New York Rangers will try to atone for a 2-1 home loss on Wednesday when they visit the Nassau Coliseum for a rematch with the Islanders. Coach John Tortorella was irate with his team's showing on Wednesday, when the Rangers extended their streak of scoring two goals or less to seven games.

The Montreal Canadiens head home after Wednesday's 2-1 loss at New Jersey for a rare visit from the Minnesota Wild (TSN, RDS). It's the first visit by the Wild to the Bell Centre in more than three years and just the ninth meeting all-time between the teams

Another rare pair get together in Atlanta, where the Thrashers host Dallas. The Stars, 5-3 losers at Carolina on Thursday, haven't been to Philips Arena since November 2006 -- but they've won all five previous visits.

Also at 7, the Phoenix Coyotes continue their road trip with a visit to Columbus. It's the third game in four nights for the Coyotes, who beat Toronto 6-3 on Wednesday. The Blue Jackets had the night off after Tuesday's 2-1 loss at Minnesota.

At 7:30, a third East-West pairing has Tampa bay visiting Detroit. Don't be surprised if Chris Osgood starts in goal for the Wings -- he's a perfect 17-0 lifetime against the Bolts, who are in the midst of a long road trip.

Both Alberta teams are home for games that start at 9:30. In Calgary, the Los Angeles Kings will try for a two-game sweep in their trip through the province when they visit Calgary (TSN). The Kings won 3-2 at Edmonton on Tuesday to move atop the Western Conference standings.

The Oilers will try to redeem themselves for the loss to the Kings when they host Nashville. The Predators spend most of the rest of the month on the road and come to Calgary after a 5-3 win at Columbus on Monday.

In the lone game on the West Coast, the well-rested San Jose Sharks host an Anaheim team that beat the Canucks 3-2 in Vancouve (10 p.m. ET)r. The Sharks have been off since last Saturday and don’t play again until Monday.

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