1. How will the Vancouver Canucks perform during John Tortorella's return?
Tortorella has served his 15-day suspension and is eligible to return to the bench tonight against the Detroit Red Wings. Vancouver went 2-4-0 in Tortorella's absence and talk has intensified about the future direction of the franchise. Can Tortorella act as a calming influence over his club? (Note: Yeah, that sounds pretty funny all things considered)
2. Will the Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins combine for five or more goals?
The Senators beat the Penguins, 5-0 in the first meeting between these two teams at the end of December. Pittsburgh enters competition on Monday night with the most points in the Eastern Conference and have scored the fourth most goals for this season. Ottawa has been involved in five straight games with five goals or more and is 2-2-1 over that span. The Senators sit two points back of a playoff spot.
3. Will the Buffalo Sabres end their home losing skid?
The Sabres have not won a home game since Jan. 4 and have gone 0-3-3 in the six games since. The club will host the Edmonton Oilers, the Western Conference's worst team. Can the Sabres come out victorious in this cellar-dweller battle?
4. Will the Colorado Avalanche extend their three-game win streak?
The Avalanche bring a three-game win streak to New Jersey, as the club embarks on a four-game Eastern road trip. The Avalanche have scored four goals or more over that span and have recorded wins in eight of 10. New Jersey is 4-3-3 over that same span.
5. Will the Los Angeles Kings be involved in a shutout?
The Kings are 1-4-0 in their last five games and have been shutout in three of the four losses, with their lone victory coming by way of a shutout. Long story short, goals have been hard to come by in games involving the Kings. Will that be the case on Monday night against the Chicago Blackhawks?
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