Monday mania

Eight NHL games tonight and not a single one that starts after 7:30 p.m. ET. Really? What am I going to watch at 10?

Game of the night

Montreal (13-6-1) at Philadelphia (13-6-2), 7 p.m. ET, RDS. When last these teams met, Carey Price - who has made 10 straight starts - blanked the Flyers with 41 saves in a 3-0 victory. The Canadiens have also been involved in a shutout in three straight games, winning two and losing one. Overall, they've won five of six.

Conversely, goaltending for Philadelphia has been woeful, conceding 12 goals in the last two games, including that little eight-goal outburst against Tampa Bay. The Flyers did however become one of the few teams to win a game in Washington.

Philadelphia 3, Montreal 1

Another game of the night

Boston (11-5-2) at Tampa Bay (11-7-2), 7:30 p.m., Versus. Is it possible we have a goalie controversy brewing in Boston? Five goals in his last two games has caused Tim Thomas' GAA to balloon to an unhealthy and unacceptable 1.49, while Tuukka Rask has given up four goals in his last three starts to shrink his numbers to a much better 2.24 GAA. Five of Boston's 11 wins are via shutout and the team is much better on the road than at home (7-1-0).

The Lightning hit a rough patch a while back, losing six of seven games. Then they went on the road and won three straight. Mike Smith is current goalie du jour, winning his last start and earning a relief win in that wild Philadelphia game. Steven Stamkos actually lost an assist after that game so he has only 34 points, not 35, and he was held pointless last game, so he's really got to start stepping up his game.

Boston 3, Tampa Bay 1

Mismatch of the night

Washington (14-5-2) at New Jersey (5-13-2), 7 p.m. Alex Ovechkin had two goals and three points as the Capitals dropped seven on a Martin Brodeur-led Devils in the teams' first meeting. Now, New Jersey is even worse and starting Johan Hedberg. "Lamb, slaughter" comes to mind.

Washington 6, New Jersey 1

Are these teams good?

Nashville (9-6-3) at Columbus (12-6-0), 7 p.m. The Predators lost five straight games, then won four of their next five, but lost the one to Toronto. Three of those wins came in a shootout. Their leading goal scorers are Steve Sullivan, Marcel Goc and Patric Hornqvist, each with five, the lowest total of any NHL team leader.

If not for Mathieu Garon (5-1, 1.08 GAA, .960%), I don't know if we're talking about the Blue Jackets and playoffs.

Columbus 3, Nashville 1

Quick hits

Calgary (8-10-1) at Rangers (11-9-1), 7 p.m. Jarome Iginla's remembering he's good. Henrik Lundqvist isn't.

Dallas (10-7-1) at Toronto (7-9-3), 7 p.m. This just in: Brad Richards is involved in trade rumors.

Pittsburgh (11-8-2) at Florida (9-9-0), 7:30 p.m. Sidney Crosby's playing really well and Florida's not too bad either (6-4-0 last 10.)

Los Angeles (13-6-0) at Ottawa (9-10-1), 7:30 p.m. If he could stay healthy, we'd talk about Justin Williams as being a pretty good hockey player. Ottawa's been out-scored 17-4 its last three games.

New York 4, Calgary 2
Dallas 4, Toronto 1
Pittsburgh 3, Florida 2
Los Angeles 5, Ottawa 2