Tony Kelshaw 
Calgary should prove too strong for New Jersey at fortress Saddledome but the visitors are playing well enough to have their moments. It was 5-3 in favour of the Flames when these teams met at Prudential Center earlier this season and another entertaining encounter is expected.
Edmonton are involved in a tight battle for a top-three finish in the Pacific Division and should see off struggling Detroit on home ice. The Red Wings arrive at Rogers Place without a win in five outings, with any slim hopes of making the playoffs dwindling with each defeat.
Vancouver will be looking to avenge last month’s 7-2 thrashing in New Jersey when these teams meet again at Rogers Arena. That blip came during a 6-1-0 hot streak for the Canucks and we’re expecting a different outcome in Canada, with the Devils noted as poor travellers.
Two teams who have recently turned their seasons around will compete at Centre Bell and we’re expecting a cracker between Montreal and Arizona. The Canadiens are 8-2-1 over their last 11 games, while the Coyotes have won five of six fixtures, with each side scoring heavily.
Ottawa and Arizona took part in a wild contest at Gila River Arena earlier this month and we’re expecting more excitement at Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators fought back from 4-0 down to lead 5-4, only for the Coyotes to rally again in a crazy third period and prevail 8-5.
Tampa Bay have suffered three straight defeats on their road trip to Canada and will be determined to stop the rot when visiting Vancouver. The Lightning are now looking over their shoulders at Toronto and Boston in terms of securing a top-three finish in the Atlantic Division.
St Louis have been hugely impressive in two big wins over the past few days and can maintain the momentum by seeing off Winnipeg on home ice. The Jets do lead the Blues 2-1 in this season’s head-to-head series but Dave Lowry’s side have just been blowing hot and cold of late.
Calgary can move another step closer to winning the Pacific Division title by brushing aside struggling Detroit at Scotiabank Saddledome. The Flames have been red hot of late, going 15-2-1 since the end of January, whereas their opponents arrive on a four-match winless run.
Montreal have looked more like the team which reached last season’s Stanley Cup final of late and are fancied to see off Seattle at Centre Bell. The Kraken are never short of effort going forward, but leaking goals has been a constant issue throughout their first campaign.
Ottawa will have their tails up after two straight wins but we’ve also been impressed by Chicago of late and feel this is a tricky test for the Senators. The Blackhawks invariably find top sides too hot to handle but have been faring well against teams around them in the table of late.
Edmonton will look to build on their thrilling overtime win over Washington when Tampa Bay roll into Rogers Place. For the Lightning, this road trip has not been the best, with defeats in Winnipeg and Calgary, and they will be keen to get things back on track.
Two in-form teams will do battle at Rogers Arena but we just feel Vancouver will be hungrier for success than Washington on home ice. The Canucks are fighting for every point to earn a wild card berth, whereas the Capitals look comfortably on course to make the playoffs.
Winnipeg have shown they can turn on the style and grind it out in back-to-back victories and look worth following against the Islanders. Their hosts are coming off a big win over Columbus at UBS Arena, so it won’t be easy, but the Jets just get the nod to complete the hat-trick.
Unheralded New Jersey and Winnipeg are coming off cracking wins over Stanley Cup favourites Colorado and Tampa Bay respectively. The Jets have the better overall form of these teams this term, but the Devils can counter that with a solid home record at Prudential Center.