On paper, there's not many games that seem to be exciting. But then, parity exists in the NHL and no one is a walkover. That's why we watch.
Calgary (9-11-2) at Pittsburgh (14-8-2), 1 p.m. ET
Both teams eked out victories Friday, with the Flames earning quite the controversial one. In fact, the Penguins' win over Ottawa had a point of debate too. Pittsburgh has won five straight and is one of the hottest teams in the league. The Flames have won just two of their past eight.
Pittsburgh 4, Calgary 2
Philadelphia (15-6-3) at New Jersey (7-14-2), 1 p.m.
The Flyers are going to be angry. I would be too. May God have mercy on the poor Devils, who are trying to stay out of the Eastern Conference cellar.
Philadelphia 5, New Jersey 1
Buffalo (9-12-3) at Montreal (14-8-1), 7 p.m., NHL Network
Carey Price didn't play in Montreal's loss to Atlanta, but that's not an excuse for the Canadiens scoring exactly zero goals. That's the dirty secret about Montreal, nobody is scoring. Price's stellar play has made it a moot point for much of the season. The Sabres can't score either, but they are playing better of late.
Montreal 3, Buffalo 2
Toronto (8-10-3) at Ottawa (10-12-1), 7 p.m., CBC
Brewing controversy in Ottawa. Pascal Leclaire, ever an injury risk, is playing some of the best hockey of his career. So who's the goalie, him or Brian Elliott? The Senators, losers of five of their last six, can't score either. In four of those losses, they scored only one goal. The other, just two. Mike Fisher might have a hot wife but he also has only eight points on the season.
Toronto is... well, we know about the Maple Leafs.
Toronto 3, Ottawa 2
Florida (9-12-0) at Tampa Bay (13-8-2), 7:30 p.m.
Now that the Lightning aren't playing Washington, maybe they'll show up.
Tampa Bay 4, Florida 2
Dallas (12-8-1) at St. Louis (12-6-3), 8 p.m.
Daryl Reaugh is always worth listening to. My dream broadcast team: Doc Emrick and Razor. Um, not that I think about these things. Let's just move on.
St. Louis 3, Dallas 1
Anaheim (10-11-3) at Phoenix (11-5-5), 8 p.m.
Phoenix has won seven straight and Anaheim has lost six in a row. Doesn't that tell us the Ducks will win? It's that kind of league these days. Plus, Curtis McElhinney might start for Anaheim and he's been pretty solid sometimes.
Anaheim 3, Phoenix 2
Rangers (13-10-1) at Nashville (9-8-4), 8 p.m.
Henrik Lundqvist put his recent struggles behind him with a shutout Friday. Will he start a second day in a row? The Predators have dropped to the bottom of the Central but have played four fewer games than Chicago, which is four points ahead.
New York 4, Nashville 2
Minnesota (11-8-2) at Colorado (12-9-1), 9 p.m.
The Wild had to play well in front of Jose Theodore, not Niklas Backstrom, didn't they? Sigh. By the way, a Minnesota win puts the Wild in second in the Northwest.
Colorado 4, Minnesota 1
San Jose (10-7-4) at Edmonton (6-11-4), 10 p.m., CBC
If it wasn't for Antero Niittymaki, I'd make a "Think San Jose misses Evgeni Nabokov?" joke, because Antti Niemi has been horrible. Presumably the Sharks bounce back after a dreadful showing Friday. The Oilers are hot, winning one of their last one games.
San Jose 5, Edmonton 2
Chicago (12-11-2) at Los Angeles (13-8-0), 10:30 p.m.
This is pretty much the one, "Ooh, I want to see this" game of the night. It's lost some of its luster though since the Kings have lost five of their last six. But at home, Los Angeles is 8-1-0. Chicago is 7-4-2 outside of Illinois so it's bound to be good. Right?
Los Angeles 4, Chicago 3
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