Tony Kelshaw 
Toronto have already beaten New Jersey twice this year, scoring 13 goals in the process, and can confirm that superiority at Scotiabank Arena. The Maple Leafs are fighting hard for a top-three finish in the Atlantic Division, whereas the Devils are joint-bottom of the Metropolitan.
Winnipeg are in fine form at present, winning five of their last seven fixtures, including a 7-3 triumph over Vegas just a week ago. That was one of six straight away defeats for the Golden Knights, who are struggling to live up to their lofty pre-season rating.
New York Islanders only have a very slim chance of snatching a wild card spot but deserve credit for their recent form and are fancied to see off Ottawa. The struggling Senators have lost four of their past five matches, going down by an average of three goals per defeat.
Montreal continue to go in the right direction under their new regime but face a tough test when entertaining a red-hot Boston outfit. The Bruins are pushing hard for a top-three finish in the Atlantic Division and have already beaten the Canadiens 5-1 and 5-2 this term.
Vancouver have suffered an untimely dip in results but can get their bid for a wild card berth back on track by seeing off Buffalo. The Sabres are enjoying an upturn in fortunes but are all but out of the playoffs race and this is the kind of contest the Canucks must come through.
Chicago suffered a tough loss at Minnesota last night and that could take it out of them when entertaining Winnipeg at United Center. The Jets haven’t given up hope of sneaking into a wild card spot but can’t afford to let chances like this slip away from here on in.
Nashville and Toronto are both involved in fierce battles for a top-three finish in their respective divisions and a tight tussle is expected. Home advantage may just prove crucial, though, as the Predators are playing well at Bridgestone Arena and the Maple Leafs need to improve on the road.
Edmonton Oilers will look to make it five wins out of five in their current homestand when they welcome the New Jersey Devils to Rogers Place. New Jersey’s play-off hopes have long since been over, as they have slipped to the foot of the Metropolitan Division.
Calgary are hard to oppose as they bid to continue their hot streak on home ice by brushing aside Buffalo. The Sabres have had some decent results recently but must back-up here after being mauled 6-1 by Edmonton last night, so the odds are stacked against them.
Winnipeg will look for a third straight victory to keep the pressure on in the race for a Western Conference wild card place when hosting Boston. The Bruins are in a battle of their own to try and climb into the top three in the Atlantic Division and secure an automatic spot in the post-season.
Vancouver are just outside the wild card berths in the Western Conference and really need to beat teams like Detroit at home to move up. The Red Wings are having a disappointing season and have currently gone six games without a win, picking up just one point in those matches.
Edmonton have enhanced their hopes of a top-three finish in the Pacific Division with a hat-trick of home wins and can now see off Buffalo. The Sabres have also been in fine form this month but may just find it hard to get up for this after their Heritage Classic success last time out.
Montreal upset Dallas 5-3 in Texas when on a miserable run in January, so look a value bet to repeat the feat now in much better shape. The Stars are bang in contention to qualify for the playoffs but have suffered from travel sickness at times this term and are worth taking on.
Toronto and Carolina are both heading for the playoffs and have been in solid form of late, so a close encounter is on the cards. Their last head-to-head meeting went to overtime at this venue just over five weeks ago, when the Maple Leafs shaded a 4-3 success.