What's on tap

Ottawa (12-14-2) at Montreal (17-8-2), 7 p.m. ET, RDS

This will be the fourth meeting between these divisional rivals. The Canadiens have taken two of three, including one by a Carey Price shutout. Ottawa needs to figure things out; while the Senators are ninth in the East, five points behind No. 8 Boston, their situation is a little bleaker. Ottawa has played more games than competition around it and has given up a lot of goals while scoring few.

Montreal 3, Ottawa 1

Buffalo (11-13-3) at Boston (14-8-3), 7:30 p.m., Versus

Looking just at the point totals, one might be surprised to learn the Bruins are sitting in just eighth place. Part of that is attributed to the Bruins playing the fewest games in the league. Boston, thanks mainly to Tim Thomas, concedes the fewest goals.

The Sabres are showing signs of life, winners in three of their last four games. Thomas Vanek has four goals in his last seven.

Boston 2, Buffalo 1

Colorado (13-10-3) at Florida (11-14-0), 7:30 p.m.

The Avalanche are struggle-ling, having lost the three games since Chris Stewart's injury. They also dropped the two games prior to a win over Minnesota. The ageless Milan Hejduk has stepped up his game, with a seven-game points streak, but not a whole lot of others on Colorado are.

The weather's nice in south Florida.

Colorado 3, Florida 2

Tampa Bay (15-9-3) at Calgary (11-14-2), 9:30 p.m.

These stats mean something but I don't know what: The Lightning have given up the most goals in the league and possess a negative-10 goal differential. But Tampa Bay would be in the playoffs if they began today. It means something, I'm positive. If anyone knows, please share.

(Note: "The Eastern Conference sucks" is not an acceptable answer. But it's probably right.)

Steven Stamkos, by the way, has only two points - both assists - in his last five games. He'll break out soon.

As for the Flames... guess who's in last place in the West? Yup, bingo. Calgary. That clock just keeps on ticking on the Sutter boys, doesn't it?

Tampa Bay 4, Calgary 3

Anaheim (13-13-3) at Edmonton (10-12-4), 9:30 p.m., TSN

How 'bout them Oilers? Winners of four in a row, even though Ales Hemsky is back on the shelf after re-injuring his groin. Nice cameo he made though. Taylor Hall's doing well, with four goals in his last four games.

Where has the Ducks' offense gone? They've been blanked in two straight games.

Anaheim 4, Edmonton 2