Tony Kelshaw 
Vancouver can’t afford any slip-ups if they are to challenge for a wildcard spot and look a solid bet to see off San Jose at Rogers Arena. The Canucks are seeking to win a third straight head-to-head encounter this term and the Sharks arrive on a five-match winless stretch.
New York Rangers have been on a roll and can keep the pressure on Metropolitan Division leaders Carolina by taking care of Ottawa. The Sens were only narrowly beaten in two head-to-head meetings in Canada earlier this season but may find things a bit tougher at MSG.
Toronto have lost away to Montreal in each of the last two months, so they will be keen to put the record straight now back on home ice. The Maple Leafs have been much better at Scotiabank Arena than on the road this term and look in good form following a fine 7-1-1 stretch.
Gennady Golovkin looks a worthy favourite to win this weekend’s ‘Big Drama in Japan’ middleweight unification match with Ryota Murata. IBF and IBO champion Golovkin won’t be taking WBA kingpin Murata for granted but may just have the nous to wear down his opponent.
Winnipeg have been put to the sword by Colorado twice already this season and look to be meeting them at the wrong time again here. The Avalanche head to Canada on a four-match winning streak, while the Jets have seen their play-off hopes dented by three straight defeats.
Calgary have established a comfortable lead at the top of the Pacific Division but will still head to San Jose with a point to prove. The Flames have lost all three previous meetings with the Sharks this season and should be determined to avoid a clean-sweep at SAP Center.
Dallas will look to keep the pressure on in the Western Conference wild card race when they host Toronto. The Leafs are in a battle of their own, though, and will hope to get back on the winning trail after surrendering a 5-1 lead in a 7-6 overtime loss to Florida.
With both teams already eliminated from the play-offs, there is only pride left to play for when Montreal visit New Jersey. The Devils have lost their last four matches and have not tasted victory since a shootout win over the Canadiens at the end of last month.
Nashville are right in the mix for playoff spots in the Western Conference. They currently occupy the first wild card place and a victory here will help them in the race to the post-season. Ottawa Senators are on a three-game winning streak, though.
Winnipeg sit seven points behind the Dallas Stars for the final wild card spot in the Western Conference as they aim to arrest a two-game losing streak. Detroit are all but out of the playoffs, trailing Washington for the final spot in the East by 21 points with only 24 to play for.
Calgary can close in on a Pacific Division title triumph by making it three wins out of four games against Anaheim this season. The Ducks are out of play-off contention and just one victory in their last 13 outings highlights why the Flames are hot favourites to prevail at Honda Center.
Los Angeles shaded Calgary 3-2 after a shootout in Canada last week, so it is a little surprising to see them chalked up as underdogs on home ice. The Kings have since won by the same scoreline at Winnipeg, whereas the Flames suffered another home defeat against St Louis.
Edmonton have beaten Anaheim twice already this season and are rated worthy favourites to complete the hat-trick at Honda Center. Admittedly, the earlier encounters were in Canada and both were high-scoring affairs, with the Oilers prevailing 6-5 in October and 7-3 in February.
Calgary’s home form was far less impressive last month and St Louis will fancy their chances of being competitive at Scotiabank Saddledome. The Blues are battling for every point in a tight Central Division and we reckon they can give the Flames a tough work-out tonight.